Volunteer Stories

Why Volunteering with Ecology Ottawa is Awesome

Volunteers are presented with a large number of opportunities and they decide when and how they would like to contribute. Volunteers are always encouraged to use their own talents and give input towards furthering the goals of the organization.  Ecology Ottawa volunteers are joining a community of passionate, environmentally-conscious individuals.

What Our Volunteers Have to Say:

“People should definitely consider getting involved because the huge range of opportunities lets volunteers move through areas of involvement and never be bored! The environment at Ecology Ottawa is very welcoming and everyone genuinely cares about making Ottawa the Green Capital of Canada creatively, efficiently and effectively!”

-Lindsey Li

“I have immensely enjoyed my time volunteering at Ecology Ottawa, because it’s taught me that there are people who care about the environment, who crave action, and who want their city to be more livable now and for the future. Anyone who is passionate about wanting the planet to remain healthy for themselves and their children has what it takes to be a grassroots volunteer. There’s nothing more fulfilling at the end of the day than knowing you’ve made a difference on some scale!”

-Victoria Putinski

“I’ve been involved in Ecology Ottawa’s Events Committee and have found it to be an amazing experience.  It’s such a pleasure working with incredibly enthusiastic and friendly volunteers, and it’s always a blast planning and participating at events like the Great Glebe GREEN Garage Sale and the Annual Dinner.  It’s an awesome committee and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in environmental issues or who is just looking to get involved and work with some amazing people.”

-Stephanie Elias

“I joined Ecology Ottawa’s volunteer team in February of 2011 because, as an Environmental Studies student at the University of Ottawa, I felt (and continue to feel) that it is important to become involved in environmental causes around the community. ECO Ottawa is the perfect opportunity to do so. I attended the Clean Energy demonstration at City Hall, and was proud to have been part of a community of people dedicated to sustainability and environmental protection.”

-Paulina Pisarek

“I have been a volunteer with Ecology Ottawa since May 2010, where I offered my help at the last Great Glebe GREEN Garage sale. Since then, I have manned booths, worked on the Candidate Outreach Committee during the last municipal elections and I translate the Ecology Ottawa updates. I love volunteering with Ecology Ottawa because it allows me to do my bit for the environment and I am learning so much about renewable energy and sustainable development. In addition, I work with dedicated individuals. It is an honour to be part of such a great team!”

-Irène Kumar

“I have been volunteering with Ecology Ottawa for a few years now and enjoy every minute of it. It gives me an opportunity to help Ottawa try to become the sustainable city it should be. I can help from the smallest detail, like telling people about what Ecology Ottawa does, to helping at a fundraiser or running a booth at an exciting event. I get to meet new people like me who think our environment is very important and want to help out as best they can. It’s organizations like this that make a difference and educate people on important issues and it’s my absolute pleasure to be involved and volunteer with them.”

-Jennie Videto

“It’s a great organization and volunteering with Ecology Ottawa is a great experience for anyone who wants to see how a grassroots organization can impact change through policies and advocacy at the community level. […] By voicing your concerns and working directly with an organization like Ecology Ottawa you can actually see how you can make your city a place you can be proud to call home!”

-Lital Khaikin

Volunteer Profiles

Ecology Ottawa is a volunteer led and driven organization—our volunteers are crucial and we appreciate all of the work that they do. Ecology Ottawa’s Volunteer Profiles are a way to acknowledge those volunteers who have made substantial contributions to our organization. Take a look at some of the work that our key volunteers have been doing and what they have to say about volunteering with Ecology Ottawa.

Chris Epplett

Chris began volunteering with Ecology Ottawa in the fall of 2010 when she worked on the candidate survey questions for the municipal election. She later took on the responsibility of being Ecology Ottawa’s Volunteer Coordinator which she did until May 2011. As the Volunteer Coordinator she ran volunteer orientation sessions, managed boothing opportunities, ran Events Committee meetings, attended staff and Steering Committee meetings, wrote the volunteer newsletter, and generally supported office staff and volunteers during a time of transition. Chris was a recipient of Ecology Ottawa’s 2011 Volunteer of the Year Award.

Here is what Chris had to say about volunteering with Ecology Ottawa.

I’m very impressed with Ecology Ottawa’s effectiveness in thinking globally and acting locally. It’s an organization that has its feet on the ground and while it certainly stands up for what it believes it also takes the position, whenever possible, of working with people rather than against them. I like Ecology Ottawa’s multi-pronged approach eg. it is involved with the political (Council Watch) as well the practical (clean energy projects).

The people involved with Ecology Ottawa are absolutely wonderful! There is a terrific atmosphere of cooperation and support. Volunteers have the opportunity of helping in an infinite variety of ways. Definitely a fantastic place to work on the most critical issue of our time.

Chris is a retired teacher who in her spare time likes to hike, bike, cross country ski, read, and travel.

Irène Kumar

Irène started volunteering with Ecology Ottawa in May 2010. Her major contribution has been as a translator. Making Ecology Ottawa a bilingual organization is a goal of ours and Irène is helping us get closer to that goal. In particular, she has translated the Ecology Ottawa candidates’ survey, pages of our website, and the bi-monthly Ecology Ottawa Update. She also served on the Candidate Outreach Committee during the last municipal election. Irène has also been involved in the Great Glebe Green Garage Sale, the Media Monitoring Team, and boothing at various events. Irène was a recipient of Ecology Ottawa’s 2011 Volunteer of the Year Award.

Here is what Irène had to say about volunteering with Ecology Ottawa.

I volunteer with Ecology Ottawa because I care for the environment and I care about my community. I want to make it a better place for people living here now and for the generations to come. I want to increase awareness on environmental issues in my community. Ecology Ottawa also allows me to learn more about renewable energy and sustainable development­. Finally, I get to work with dedicated and committed individuals, many of which I now consider as friends. 

When she is not volunteering with Ecology Ottawa, Irène works part-time both as an Administration Officer for the Circle of Nations Learning Centre at Natural Resources Canada and as a freelance translator with Cogitaction Communication Inc. In her spare time Irène enjoys aqua fitness, long walks in nature, meditation, and reading.

Alison Harman

Alison began volunteering with Ecology Ottawa in September 2008. She has mainly been involved in Ecology Ottawa’s Council Watch Committee, which produces annual reports grading the environmental performance of Ottawa’s City Council. For the past few years Alison has helped to coordinate the committee in her position as Co-Chair. Alison was a recipient of Ecology Ottawa’s 2011 Volunteer of the Year Award.

Here is what Alison had to say about volunteering with Ecology Ottawa.

I volunteer with Ecology Ottawa in order to be involved with and influence my community.  In addition I gain skills in writing and researching, and learn a high-level view of the local environmental issues in the City of Ottawa.  It is also a great way to meet like-minded, interesting people and exchange ideas about how to make our city a greener place to live.  

Alison is a student at the University of Ottawa. In her spare time she enjoys cycling.

Jennie Videto

Jennie has been volunteering with Ecology Ottawa for the last four years. This past year she played a significant part in organizing Ecology Ottawa’s 5^th Annual Dinner. Her ongoing role with Ecology Ottawa has been in updating the events calendar on our website. She has also done some photography work at special events. Jennie was a recipient of Ecology Ottawa’s 2011 Volunteer of the Year Award.

Here is what Jennie had to say about volunteering with Ecology Ottawa.

I volunteer with this organization simply because I believe in what they do. The small group of individuals is an inspiration and it’s my absolute pleasure to work alongside people who want nothing other than to make this world better. I very much enjoy meeting new people and being an Ecology Ottawa volunteer affords me that opportunity. It’s wonderful to meet and network with people who have the same values as I do and know that we are all striving for the same goal.

When she is not volunteering with Ecology Ottawa Jennie works for Ten Thousand Villages, an organization which sells Fair Trade crafts made from artisans in developing countries. Jennie also volunteers as the Fundraising Coordinator for The Canadian Organic Growers – Ottawa chapter. She believes strongly in promoting do-it-yourself gardening and is able to do that through this organization. Jennie is also a member of Fair Trade Ottawa-Equitable, an organization which seeks to achieve (and subsequently maintain) Fair Trade Town status for the City of Ottawa.