Engineers and Geoscientists BC

Become a Mentor - Step 2

Please review the content below and acknowledge your review of the Volunteer Guidelines to submit your volunteer application.

Please note: Your Mentor Volunteer application will not be submitted until this step is completed.

Welcome to Our Team

On behalf of Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia's Council and staff, it is my privilege to express our deep appreciation for the volunteers that commit their time and expertise to our organization and the professions of engineering and geoscience. Engineers and Geoscientists BC's accomplishments are due in large part to the engaged participation of volunteers like you.

We want to ensure that you receive the resources and support necessary for you to achieve success and enjoy your volunteer experience with us. These guidelines outline your role as a volunteer and are intended to support you during your volunteer time with the organization. Please take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the information below. If you have any questions about these guidelines or any of our policies or procedures, please contact Engineers and Geoscientists BC's Human Resources, Kevin O'Connell, at [email protected].

After you have read through and reviewed the guidelines, you will be asked to acknowledge that you have read, understand and agree to abide by them by checking a box at the bottom of the page and clicking “Submit”.

The knowledge and experience you contribute as a volunteer is essential to enabling the organization to support and promote the professions as a trusted partner and progressive regulator.

Thank you.


Welcome to Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia

Dedicated volunteers are at the heart of Engineers and Geoscientists BC's work as the engineering and geoscience licensing and regulatory authority for BC, and play a part in almost every aspect of the organization—from reviewing applications for professional registration to participating on committees that set and uphold practice standards.

 

Our Mission, Vision, and Values

Vision

Modern regulation for a resilient world.

Mission

We serve the public interest as an inclusive, progressive, and future-focused regulator.

Values

  • Collaboration
  • Excellence
  • Integrity
  • Innovation

Much of the work our volunteers do links directly to our Strategic Plan.

Learn More

Volunteer Commitment

Volunteering with the organization provides ongoing opportunities for:

  • Giving back to your profession and industry,
  • Meeting new people and building your network,
  • Earning professional development credits,
  • Learning and developing skills,
  • Contributing your ideas, and
  • Receiving recognition of your contributions.

In return we ask that you approach your role with enthusiasm, a team mentality, and a genuine interest in giving back. We also ask that you:

  • Respect confidentiality,
  • Arrive on time for meetings and events,
  • Be prepared for meetings and events,
  • Encourage a respectful working environment,
  • Provide constructive feedback, and
  • Be accountable.

We understand our volunteers lead busy lives and we are grateful for the time they dedicate to volunteering with us. As such, we ask that you recognize when you are unable to meet the commitments of the volunteer position and work with the group leader to identify a solution.

Engineers and Geoscientists BC is committed to ensuring that its operations and business are conducted in an ethical and legal manner. We ask that you support this by familiarizing yourself with, and to adhering to, all policies and procedures during your time as a volunteer with the organization.

Confidentiality

Some of the information accessed by volunteers during their activities with Engineers and Geoscientists BC is confidential. A volunteer must maintain the confidentiality of all confidential information to which they are privy, unless otherwise permitted or required by the organization.

If you are unsure whether the information shared is of a confidential nature, please check with your volunteer group’s staff support person.

Anyone, either during the course of, or subsequent to, becoming a volunteer of the organization, must not:

  • Divulge any confidential information communicated to, produced, or acquired as a result of his or her participation in activities with Engineers and Geoscientists BC,
  • Divulge any confidential information acquired in the performance of Engineers and Geoscientists BC related duties and responsibilities to any person or third party not authorized by the organization or by law to have such information,
  • Benefit directly or indirectly in consideration for revealing any confidential information, and
  • Use confidential information in any personal undertaking in which he or she may be, or may become, involved.

These terms of confidentiality are of a general nature and apply to all volunteers. Some volunteers working with specific groups may be required to uphold additional confidentiality requirements. Should an additional confidentiality agreement be required, your volunteer group’s Engineers and Geoscientists BC staff support person will discuss this with you.

Ownership of Copyright

Volunteers sometimes assist the organization by authoring documents, such as reports or guidelines, or by making contributions to the authorship of such documents. Whenever a written work product or any other type of intellectual property is created for Engineers and Geoscientists BC in the course of volunteering, the copyright will belong to Engineers and Geoscientists BC. 

Conflict of Interest

Volunteers should perform their duties for Engineers and Geoscientists BC in such a manner that confidence and trust in the integrity, objectivity and the impartiality of the process are observed.

A conflict of interest arises, or may appear to arise, when a volunteer's private or public interest takes precedence over, or competes with the voluntary duties or responsibilities to the organization. Conflicts of interests may be real, perceived or potential, and may evolve at any time before, during, or after appointment to, voluntary participation with Engineers and Geoscientists BC.

The recognition of a real, perceived or potential conflict of interest is a matter of judgment and the primary responsibility for recognizing a conflict of interest rests with each volunteer in the course of his or her participation in activities with the organization. If you feel you may be in a real, perceived or potential conflict of interest, discuss this with your volunteer group's Engineers and Geoscientists BC staff support person. If a conflict arises at any point, the volunteer will be expected to declare and excuse him or herself from the conflicting portion of volunteering activities.

Gifting, Hospitality and Other Benefits

As an Engineers and Geoscientists BC volunteer you choose to volunteer your time and service to the organization and understand that in doing so you are not considered to be employed by the organization at any time. You understand that you will not be compensated in any way for the service you provide as an volunteer. As a volunteer, you are free to stop volunteering your time and service to Engineers and Geoscientists BC at any time.

From time to time, a volunteer might receive gifts from the organization in recognition for their contributions. These gifts are ethically acceptable for volunteers to receive because they are given as tokens of appreciation, are non-compensatory in nature, and do not hold significant value.

However, there may be other times when a volunteer is presented with gifts from other sources, and these may be inappropriate. Gifts, hospitality, or other benefits should not be given by, or received by, any volunteer in the course of his or her participation in activities with Engineers and Geoscientists BC, if that gift, hospitality, or other benefit could – or be perceived to – influence the volunteer’s judgement or performance of their duties and responsibilities with the organization, or be viewed as compensation. Giving or receiving an inappropriate gift can easily create a conflict of interest or the appearance of one – for instance, a volunteer might be swayed to act more favorably than he or she otherwise would towards a person who has given them a gift. If there is any doubt as to the perceived effect of the gift, hospitality, or other benefit, please bring it to the attention of your volunteer group’s Engineers and Geoscientists BC staff support person.

 

Alcohol and Drugs

As a volunteer of Engineers and Geoscientists BC, you may be invited to attend social events or other functions where alcohol may be served. If you (including guests) choose to enjoy an alcoholic beverage, it is expected that you will drink responsibly and will not put yourself or others at risk of injury, or drink and drive.

We expect that you will represent the organization in a professional manner. When at a function hosted by the organization, please ensure the following:

  • If you consume alcohol, do so responsibly,
  • You will not operate or have care and control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol,
  • You ensure your safety and the safety of others by having a designated driver or alternate method of transportation home, and
  • You will be free from the effect of any illegal drugs.
 

Expense Reimbursement

Engineers and Geoscientists BC will reimburse preauthorized travel expenses. Please contact your Engineers and Geoscientists BC staff support person to confirm what expenses you are eligible for and to receive a reimbursement form.

Receipts must be submitted together with the expense reimbursement form before the end of the fiscal year in which the expenses occurred. Engineers and Geoscientists BC's fiscal year runs from July 1–June 30.

 

Political Activities

Non-Partisan Stance

In circumstances where Engineers and Geoscientists BC or any volunteers participate in the public policy arena on behalf of the organization, this participation shall be of a non-partisan nature. These occurrences can include: direct relations with the government, engagement in lobbying activities or attendance at political campaigns, conferences or events. Engineers and Geoscientists BC volunteers will be expected to participate with all political parties, with no preference or undue advantage being extended to any one political party, political figure or political ideology over another.

Activities in Personal Capacity

Registrants and volunteers must receive authority from the organization before identifying they are representing the interests of Engineers and Geoscientists BC. Under any circumstances where a volunteer is acting in a personal capacity, he or she must exercise scrupulous judgment to avoid the appearance of representing the interests of the organization.

 

Bullying, Harassment and Violence

Engineers and Geoscientists BC is committed to providing a positive environment in which all individuals are treated, and treat each other, with respect and dignity. We expect all employees and volunteers to support and contribute to a positive and respectful environment. As a volunteer, supporting a respectful environment includes ensuring respectful behaviour during volunteer activities related to your role, as well as while traveling, at conferences, training sessions and seminars you attend. It also includes volunteer-related phone calls, emails, text messages and other communications, during volunteer-related social events sponsored or supported by Engineers and Geoscientists BC and elsewhere if you are there as a result of your responsibilities to the organization.

Bullying or harassing behaviour includes any conduct or comment (whether verbal or written) by a person towards another that is inappropriate, vexatious, or offensive and that was known or reasonably ought to have been known by the alleged bully or harasser to be humiliating, insulting, threatening, or intimidating. This behaviour includes inappropriate or offensive conduct, or comments that are based on a protected ground of discrimination as defined in the Human Rights Code and will not be tolerated by Engineers and Geoscientists BC.

The offender could be another volunteer or someone other than a volunteer, but with whom the volunteer is required to be in contact as part of their volunteer work for Engineers and Geoscientists BC.

Although bullying and harassment is generally considered in terms of a pattern of ongoing behaviour, it may include behaviour that occurs on a one-time basis.

Examples of behaviour that may constitute bullying or harassment include but are not limited to:

  • Jokes or gestures that are abusive or degrading,
  • Personal ridicule and malicious gossip,
  • Abuse of authority to intimidate or coerce, improperly control, or influence someone,
  • Racial epithets or slurs,
  • Taunting or ostracism,
  • Displaying derogatory, humiliating, or offensive objects, cartoons, drawings, or photos, and
  • Sexual harassment, which is defined as one or more incidents involving unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature.

Accusations of bullying and harassment are serious and are reserved for serious behaviours. Not all interpersonal conflict, differences of opinion, or disputes that are rude or thoughtless will constitute bullying or harassing behaviour unless the behaviour was also inappropriate.

Should a volunteer ever encounter a violent situation, he or she should never attempt to intervene directly in a physically dangerous or violent situation; however such situations should be reported immediately to Engineers and Geoscientists BC and the proper authorities. Volunteers must advise of any and all incidents of bullying, harassment and/or violence at the organization or at Engineers and Geoscientists BC-sponsored meetings or events of which they have knowledge, are witness to, or in which they are involved. Incidents should be reported to Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s Human Resources Manager.

Breaches of Confidentiality, Conflicts of Interest or Incidents of Bullying, Harassment or Violence

The organization is committed to ensuring that its operations and business are conducted in a fair, ethical and legal manner and that volunteers support and contribute to a positive and respectful work environment. In the event that Engineers and Geoscientists BC becomes aware of an alleged breach of confidentiality, conflict of interest or an incident of bullying, harassment or violence, the Registrar will conduct an independent investigation in a suitable manner as is required in the circumstance, respecting principles of procedural fairness.

Complaints may be referred directly to the Registrar at [email protected] or your volunteer group's Engineers and Geoscientists BC staff support person.

 

Criminal Record Check

For specific circumstances, volunteers may be required to undergo a criminal record check. Your volunteer group’s Engineers and Geoscientists BC staff support person will advise if this applies to you.

 

Social Media

Engineers and Geoscientists BC uses social media to enhance registrant engagement and communication with registrants, stakeholders and the public, and to promote the professions of engineering and geoscience. We encourage volunteers to actively engage in online discussions and dialogue through social media channels. The organization has corporate accounts on the following social media platforms:

In posting material relating to Engineers and Geoscientists BC on personal social media accounts (such as Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or YouTube) either directly through a mention of Engineers and Geoscientists BC, using relevant hashtags, or indirectly, we ask that you adhere to the following principles:

  • Respect Engineers and Geoscientists BC, its registrants and staff: Social media sites are public spaces and we expect you to be respectful of the organization, staff, volunteers and registrants, and
  • Use common sense: Think before you post. Social media accounts are accessible to the public and what you post could have significant consequences. If you would not be comfortable with your supervisor, co-workers, or Engineers and Geoscientists BC staff reading your words, do not write them,

In posting material relating to the organization on personal social media accounts either directly through a mention of Engineers and Geoscientists BC, using relevant hashtags, or indirectly, you agree not to:

  • Post material that is profane, obscene, offensive, libelous, defamatory, threatening, harassing, abusive, inappropriate, inflammatory or otherwise objectionable towards any individual or entity,
  • Post material that infringes on the rights of Engineers and Geoscientists BC or any individual or entity, including privacy, intellectual property or publication rights, and
  • Disclose any information that is confidential or proprietary to the organization or any third party that has disclosed information to Engineers and Geoscientists BC.

To maintain consistency in our brand and communications, our corporate social media accounts are managed by the organizationn’s Communications Department. Our online dialogue thrives when volunteers participate in the conversation. Although you may have your own personal social media accounts, volunteers must not create an Engineers and Geoscientists BC branded account.

Engineers and Geoscientists BC reserves the right to ask volunteers to remove or edit posts on social media sites at any time should they violate the principles noted in this policy.

If you have questions or would like more information on appropriate use of social media, email Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s Manager, Communications, Laurel Buss, at [email protected].

 

Interaction with the Media

The objectives of Engineers and Geoscientists BC's media relations efforts are to create positive public awareness about the professions of engineering and geoscience, and to increase awareness of the organization and its duty of ensuring public safety through the work of the organization and its registrants.

In general, when responding to inquiries from the media, only designated spokespeople are permitted to speak on behalf of Engineers and Geoscientists BC. If you are contacted by a journalist to offer comments on behalf of the organization, please refer them directly to the Director, Communications & Stakeholder Engagement, Megan Archibald, at [email protected].

In certain circumstances, the CEO or President will appoint subject-matter experts for technical issues, and volunteers who participate on committees may be called on to speak to media by Engineers and Geoscientists BC media relations staff. If contact is initiated directly by journalists however, volunteers should first contact Engineers and Geoscientists BC.

Volunteers involved in organizing local events on behalf of Engineers and Geoscientists BC branches may sometimes be approached by journalists regarding these activities. Before speaking to journalists, volunteers are asked to seek advice from Engineers and Geoscientists BC media relations staff who can help with effectively engaging media, or if this is not feasible, to inform staff after the interaction has taken place.

 

Photos and Videos

At times, the organization may be photographing or videotaping events, sessions, workshops, or even meetings where you might be volunteering and your likeness may be used to promote Engineers and Geoscientists BC. If you do not wish to participate, please advise your volunteer group's Engineers and Geoscientists BC staff support person.

Policy Revisions

Engineers and Geoscientists BC reserves the right to amend these policies and guidelines from time-to-time in our judgment to address issues that may arise and changes in our operations or the law.

 

Additional Information

If you have any questions regarding your role as a volunteer at Engineers and Geoscientists BC, please contact [email protected].