As an LBN mentor, you will work directly with a buddy to strengthen their reading or math skills, build their confidence and encourage a positive attitude toward learning. At the same time, you will gain:

1. Meaningful volunteer and Canadian work experience

2. Leadership, communication, organizational, problem-solving and time-management skills that are transferable to future careers

3. Experience that can strengthen university, scholarship and job applications

4. Eligibility for a reference letter upon successful completion

5. A welcoming and supportive community committed to your growth

Mentoring is a meaningful way to support a child while gaining valuable experience for your future.

The first step is to fill out our application form and select all program times and formats that you can consistently attend. After that, a volunteer Program Team Member will interview you. If you are selected to be a volunteer, you will finish the self-paced training online and will be matched with a session.

No previous tutoring or teaching experience is required. LBN provides training, lesson materials and ongoing support to help you feel prepared for your role.

We are looking for volunteers who are patient, dependable, comfortable communicating in English and enthusiastic about supporting children.

All mentors must attend all of the sessions of the program, except in exceptional circumstances. Please remember that without notice of illness or other commitments in advance, your buddy cannot be accommodated with a substitute mentor and will have to be sent home with disappointment.

LBN mentors generally include senior high school students, post-secondary students, recent graduates and other community members interested in supporting younger learners. Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements listed on the mentor application and be able to commit to the full program term.

Yes. Returning mentors must submit a new application each term and they do not need to complete and interview.

Our program time and dates change each term, returning volunteers must submit a new application so LBN can confirm their current availability and place them in a suitable session.

Mentors must commit to the full program rather than attending only the orientation or selected sessions. On-call mentors are assigned to a specific pod and are expected to shadow every session whenever possible. This helps them become familiar with the session flow and buddies so they can remain engaged and confidently step in when support is needed.

Consistent attendance allows mentors and buddies to develop a trusting relationship and ensures that buddies receive stable support throughout the term.

Volunteering at Learning Buddies Network will satisfy your high school volunteer hour requirements, Duke of Edinburgh as well as volunteer experience for University applications. We will not only sign off on your service hours but provide a detailed letter outlining the nature of your volunteer work.

You may indicate your preferences when applying. To increase your chances of being placed as a full time mentor; select every location, day and time that you can consistently attend. We will place volunteers according to their availability and current program needs.

Volunteers must complete a Criminal Record Check before they can continue volunteering with children. It is completed online at no cost to volunteers.

Please follow the instructions provided by LBN to submit your Criminal Record Check. Volunteers who live outside British Columbia can still complete the BC process using eligible government-issued identification from their province. They will be asked to show two pieces of identification during a brief verification meeting with an LBN staff member.

Questions specifically related to Criminal Record Checks should be directed to crc@learningbuddiesnetwork.com

Yes. If a regular mentor position becomes available in your pod or another program you are available for. LBN may contact you to ask whether you can take on the full-time role.

You should only accept if you can attend the remaining sessions consistently for the rest of the term.

Training is done asynchronously and takes 1-2 hours.

First, confirm that you are signed in using the gmail address connected to your LBN application.

Review the Moodle instructions included in your onboarding email, including the guide for switching between training roles. If the issue continues, contact the training@learningbuddiesnetwork and include:

• Your full name

• The email address used for your application

• The training you are trying to access

• A screenshot of the error, when possible.

You should already have access to LBN’s shared Google Drive. Make sure you are signed in to the Google account connected to your LBN application, then:

1. Go to Google Drive.

2. Select Shared Drives from the left-hand menu.

If you still cannot see the shared drive, confirm that you are using the correct Google account and contact your coordinator for support.

Selected mentors will receive an offer by email. Please complete all requested confirmation steps by the stated deadline.

Once placements are finalized, your coordinator will contact you separately with your pod, session and orientation details.

Sessions are assigned to mentors based on program needs, volunteer availability and the number of buddies registered in each program. Your coordinator will usually contact you closer to the beginning of your program with your orientation, pod and session details.

Pods named after plants are Reading programs. Pods named after animals are Math programs.

For example, a pod named Lavender, Spruce or Thyme is a Reading pod, while a pod named Elephant, Salamander or Puffin is a Math pod.

Please check your inbox, spam and junk folders for messages from LBN or your assigned coordinator.

Coordinators generally contact mentors closer to the program start date. If you have not received any information, email volunteer@learningbuddiesnetwork.com

Notify your coordinator as early as possible and explain the reason for your absence. You are also responsible for posting an on-call request in the appropriate Slack channel.

If no one has responded at least 24 hours before your session, ask your coordinators to contact the on-call mentors assigned to your pod for support.

Emergencies happen, but repeated absences or late notice may affect your volunteer standing and eligibility for a certificate or reference letter.

If your availability has changed, complete the LBN session change form. You may request a change, but approval depends on available spaces and program needs.

Continue attending your current session unless your coordinator or LBN confirms that your placement has officially changed.

You may request a change, but approval depends on available spaces and program needs.

You will be required to complete the appropriate Reading or Math training before moving into a different program.

We expect volunteers to understand the commitment they are making before beginning their role. However, we recognize that exceptional circumstances may require you to resign.

You must provide at least two weeks’ notice, unless there is an emergency. Mentors must notify their program coordinator, while coordinators must notify the Volunteer Recruitment Manager.

Volunteers who resign without providing the required notice will forfeit their volunteer hours and will not receive a volunteer certificate.

An on-call mentor is assigned to a pod and becomes familiar with its buddies, mentors, lesson structure and routines.

You may be asked to:

• Replace an absent mentor.

• Support a buddy who has not yet been matched.

• Help with small-group activities.

• Assist with buddy report.

Your coordinator will send you the session information for your assigned pod.

For online sessions, this normally includes the Zoom link and session time. For in-person sessions, it includes the site address, arrival instructions and meeting location.

Contact volunteer@learningbuddiesnetwork.com if you are unsure which pod you have been assigned to or have not received the session information.

On-call mentors should shadow sessions regularly when possible and must attend at least three sessions to qualify for a volunteer certificate. They must also complete the end-of-term survey.

Your coordinator tracks attendance throughout the term.Training hours and all attended program sessions count toward your official volunteer hours.

Mentors will receive a volunteer certificate after the term ends, provided they have attended at least three sessions and submitted the end-of-term survey or confirmation form.

Reference letters are issued upon request. Please send your request to your Coordinator, Program Supervisor or Teacher Liaison and include:

• Your most recent term with LBN

• The name and details of the person or organization receiving the letter

• The name and title of the person to whom the letter should be addressed

Please provide at least one week’s notice before your deadline. If you are not able to contact your Coordinator/PS/TL, feel free to send your request to christianah@learningbuddiesnetwork.com

For volunteer expectations, scheduling or placement support, contact volunteer@learningbuddiesnetwork.com.

For Criminal Record Check questions, contact crc@learningbuddiesnetwork.com. For training links, materials or technical issues, contact training@learningbuddiesnetwork.com.

Questions about buddies or family support can be directed to info@learningbuddiesnetwork.com

Coordinators help create a safe, organized and engaging program experience for buddies and mentors. Depending on your position, your responsibilities may include:

• Communicating with mentors

• Supporting orientation and weekly sessions

• Tracking attendance

• Monitoring mentor engagement

• Helping coordinators prepare lessons and activities

• Responding to session concerns

• Completing operational records and end-of-term tasks

LBN’s primary coordinator roles include:

Assistant Coordinator: Supports the delivery and organization of an assigned pod. This role was formerly called Program Coordinator.

Executive Coordinator: Provides leadership for the pod and supports mentors, buddies and Assistant Coordinators.

Shadowing Coordinator: Attends and learns the routines of an assigned pod so they can provide additional support when needed. This role was formerly called On-Call Coordinator.

Yes. Returning coordinators must submit an application each term and they do not need to complete and interview.

Placements are based on:

• Program needs

• Availability

• Previous experience (at least one term as a LBN mentor)

• Interview results

Review and confirm your placement by the stated deadline.

You should then:

• Complete the required coordinator training

• Attend the coordinator meeting

• Review your program checklist

• Bookmark the Operations Master List and Coordinator Contact List

• Review the LBN Directory, Zoom Guide and email templates

• Connect with the other coordinators assigned to your pod

The Class Contact List, or CCL, contains your pod information. Use it to identify the Executive, Assistant and Teacher Liaison/Program Supervisor assigned to your pod and to connect with them. Because the document contains internal volunteer information, do not share it outside LBN or use the information for unrelated purposes.

1. Open the Operations Master List (OML).

2. Search for your assigned pod or session. Use Ctrl + F to find it more quickly.

3. Click the title of your pod or session. For example, if you are assigned to the Spruce pod, click “Spruce.”

4. Your Class Contact List will open.

Tip: Bookmark your CCL in your browser so you can access it easily throughout the term.

The Operations Master List, or OML, is the main internal program reference and session information like your session zoom link.