Day on the Hill Volunteer Application

Overview    

Day on the Hill is MS Canada’s annual advocacy event. It brings together volunteers and staff from across the country to meet with Members of Parliament, Senators, and policy staff in Ottawa, Ontario to raise awareness of MS and MS Canada’s policy priorities. Every year at Day on the Hill, we raise our voices together, share our stories and advocate for policy change that removes barriers and improves the well-being of persons affected by MS in Canada.  Volunteers will also participate in a Welcome Dinner and a Parliamentary Reception.     

Volunteers play an important role in the success of our advocacy event by sharing personal stories of their lived experience with MS as a person living with MS, family members and friends of persons living with MS, MS researchers and trainees, and healthcare professionals.  For parliamentarians and staff, this puts a face on MS and our priorities. Personal stories are extremely important in advocacy, as they describe the impact of MS in a way that facts and figures can’t. This is key to building awareness and advancing MS Canada’s policy priorities. 

Application Process   

We are implementing an application process this year to provide all leadership volunteers an opportunity to express their interest to be part of MS Canada’s Day on the Hill. Applicants will be selected based on core competencies and lived experience. 

Core Competencies:  

Adaptability and Resilience - The capacity to remain flexible and resilient in the face of changing circumstances, setbacks, or obstacles. The ability to adjust strategies, learn from failures, and persist in finding solutions despite challenges.

Conflict Resolution - The capability to manage and resolve conflicts or disagreements in a constructive manner. This includes active listening, understanding different perspectives, seeking win-win solutions, and promoting open dialogue to reach mutually beneficial outcomes

Emotional Intelligence - The capacity to recognize, understand, and manage one's own emotions, as well as empathize with the emotions of others. Emotional intelligence involves being aware of and controlling emotions, demonstrating empathy, and effectively navigating interpersonal dynamics.

Storytelling - Using storytelling techniques to engage and captivate the audience, evoking emotions to help build a network in MS Canada’s day-to-day mission work.

Event Timeline    

Day on the Hill is typically held during the first week of May to kick off MS Awareness Month. However, because of the federal election, this year’s event will take place from Sunday, October 26 to Tuesday, October 28.