Reference Requests

 Whether you are a current or former volunteer, we are happy to support you with any references you need. The information provided on this page is current as of September 2026 but is subject to change without notice. 

We offer several types of reference support, including:

  • Confirmation of Hours Letter

  • General Reference Letter

  • Personalized Reference Letter

  • Other Reference Requests

Please refer to the appropriate section below for more information and instructions on how to request the type of reference you need.

Confirmation of Hours Letter

This is a brief, standard letter that confirms the volunteer hours you have accumulated during your time with us.

This is a brief letter, but it is the standard reference provided to all volunteers, and it states the volunteer hours you have accumulated during your time with us. 

To request a Confirmation of Hours Letter, please click below and complete the request form. The form will ask you to provide your estimated number of volunteer hours. We ask that you provide your best estimate based on the hours you tracked, as instructed during training.

Please note that we also maintain records of volunteer hours internally, and we will review and verify your estimated hours against our records before issuing your letter.

If you volunteered with us prior to Summer Academy 2026 across one or more terms (e.g., Summer 2025 or Fall 2025), please provide a general estimate of the total number of hours you have accumulated, as requested in the form. We will review our records and work to confirm your hours for you.

Request Your Confirmation of Hours Letter

General Reference Letter & Personalized Reference Letter

 To ensure we can support as many volunteers as possible, we offer two reference letter options: a General Reference Letter and a Personalized Reference Letter. Please indicate on the request form linked below which option you're interested in requesting.

General Reference Letter
A standard letter highlighting your experience, role, and responsibilities as a volunteer. This letter is suitable for applications that do not have specific reference requirements or questions, or if you are looking for a detailed letter that confirms your volunteer experience with us.

Personalized Reference Letter
A letter tailored to a specific opportunity, such as a scholarship, specialized post-secondary program, bursary, etc. Personalized letters require additional reflection questions and a 15–30 minute MS Teams or Zoom meeting to help streamline our writing process.

Please note that while requests are welcome, a Personalized Reference Letter is not guaranteed, as we cannot attest to qualities that were not witnessed, verified, or vouched for by an instructor, admin, or other relevant staff member. If we're unable to accommodate a personalized request, we will let you know and can discuss whether a General Reference Letter may be a better fit.

Reference Letter Request Form

Other Reference Requests

If you have a reference request that does not fall under the above options, such as one involving forms, application portal submissions, etc., please email the Volunteer Program Lead at saadmin2@sfu.ca with your inquiry. We kindly ask that you provide as much information as possible to help us prepare your reference, along with the deadline. You may be asked to complete the "Personalized Reference Letter" request form and fulfill its requirements, so we have a clear structure to work from for your specific reference.