Position Title: Memory Project Speaker

Responsible To: The Memory Project Coordinator/Officer

Summary:

The Memory Project is a volunteer speakers bureau that arranges for Veterans and Canadian Forces members to share their stories of military service at school and community events across the country. Since the inception of the Bureau in 2001, our speakers have reached more than 3 million Canadians. In 2024 alone, our speakers reached an estimated 50,000 Canadians. Our volunteer speakers are enthusiastic about sharing their first-hand accounts, and their experiences cover topics from front-line battle to peacekeeping to domestic service.

The Memory Project Speakers Bureau is available year-round for both school and community groups, and for audiences of all ages. Our volunteers live all over Canada, and we connect them with schools and other community groups near them. As a speaker, you give a face and voice to historical events through your experiences and create connections with members of your community.

Location: We operate across the country. We are particularly in need of volunteers in Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal. Speakers are contacted for both in-person visits as well as virtual visits over Teams or Zoom but can express a preference for what kind of visit they are willing to do.

Time Commitment: Generally, visits range from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Our speakers go on at least two visits during the Remembrance Day high season. We receive requests for Veteran speakers throughout the year.

In recent years, we have had the highest demand in Toronto and Vancouver. However, our services are requested in all major cities and smaller towns across the country, from Tofino, BC to Whitehorse, YT to St. John’s, NL.

Duties:

• Share your military experiences, as appropriate, with interested groups of various numbers and ages.

• Visit schools, senior living centres, community groups, as arranged by the Memory Project team.

• Abide by our Volunteer Code of Conduct

Qualifications or Skills Required:

• Public Speaking: You will share your service stories to schools, classrooms, cadet groups, offices, and other community groups. It is important to us that you feel confident and comfortable speaking in front of them.

• Military Service: You must be a Canadian Veteran or currently serving in the military. We have speakers from nearly every Canadian conflict since the Second World War. You do not need to have served abroad – many of our volunteers have supported Canadians at home through climate disasters and national emergencies.

• Proficient in English or French. Bilingualism is an asset but not required.

• Excellent verbal communication and active listening skills.

• Empathy, patience, and a genuine desire to educate the public about Canadian military history.

• Ability to use video calling software or platforms is considered an asset. We occasionally have requests for remote locations or online schools who use an online video calling platform.

We welcome speakers from across all provinces and territories in Canada with all sorts of military experiences. Your story is worth telling. Join the Memory Project today.

Visit thememoryproject.com to learn more and sign up to become a speaker.

Contact Information 

Email: memory@historicacanada.ca

Phone: 1-866-701-1867