Get Involved
- Published: February 11, 2019
In an era of tighter budgets and more demands on municipal staff for service delivery, volunteers make the difference when it comes to building —and sustaining— a community. To become more involved in our community complete the pdf Volunteer Application Form (319 KB) .
All communities were challenged in trying to include volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic. As we continue to rebuild and reintegrate community members who bring their ideas, energy and time to worthy causes and projects, the Town of Oxford thanks each and every one of you for your commitment to making our hometown a better place to live and grow.
Oxford Bunny Trail
One of the standout initiatives in our town, as organized activities were restricted and folks sought diversion and recreation in the great outdoors, is the Oxford Bunny Trail, located at the end of Station Street in South Oxford. Maxine Dobson-Clarke and partner Al Clarke have dedicated so much of their daily lives, year-round, to upgrading, maintaining and promoting this amazing nature trail for all of Oxford's residents and visitors to enjoy.
Oxford Capitol Theatre
The Oxford Capitol Theatre gives our town a bit of nightlife on Friday evenings with the weekly Music Jam, featuring amateur and professional musicians. The late Eleanor Crowley, a dedicated volunteer with the Capitol, lost her battle with cancer in 2022. Her departure leaves a gaping hole that we hope new volunteers might step in to fill, to keep the music playing.
Arts and Culture organizations have come and gone. Oxford once had a local theatre troupe known as The Maple Players. Nowadays we have the Church Mouse Players, the Mainstreet Music Society, and Cumberland Performing Arts.
Riverside Art Gallery
The Town Hall hosted the Riverside Art Gallery, which previously came to life in a Bed & Breakfast operated on Water St. The gallery, which presented expositions of local art and photography, was shut down due to infrastructure concerns just as the pandemic came into our lives. It may rise again... with volunteers like you!
Local Organizations
There are several local organizations that may be a good "fit" for you: the Pioneer Heritage Club; the Oxford and Area Food Bank; the Oxford Historical Society; the Royal Canadian Legion; local sports groups like our Provincial Champion minor baseball teams and our growing Boxing Club; local trails and ATV groups; several local churches and their affiliated social organizations; and special mention must go to our local Oxford Area Lions and Lionettes, who have contributed enormously to the town's infrastructure in recreation during their existence. Oxford boasts the Lions Arena built in the 1970s and gifted to the town, it is now in the hands of a broader community committee with new funding, energy and many facility upgrades. The Lions were also responsible for the development of the Lions Parkland at Salt Lake, which suffered a devastating blow in 2018 with the sudden, unwelcome appearance of a sinkhole on the property which rendered it inaccessible to the public. This was a huge loss, of a playground area, swimming spot and a modern community hall. Efforts are underway today to replace the community centre, with hopes that a modern and accessible facility can become a reality in the next few years. The Oxford Lions also operate a weekly TV Bingo activity and continue efforts to install playground equipment for children to enjoy.
Municipal Government
The municipal government also has several committees and boards that operate with public representation, such as the Police Services Advisory Board; the Audit Committee; the Recreation Commission, and others. Your talents, energy and ideas can help improve the functioning and representation of our local government. Interested? Fill in an application today!
You might also give some thought to tossing your hat into the ring as a candidate for Town Council. Elections come around every four years (sometimes earlier if there are unplanned departures). This is a serious commitment but a very rewarding and educational experience. Visit the Town Hall section of our website to review the agendas of our Council meetings and see what issues are regularly dealt with by our community representatives.
Find out about local organizations or visit the websites or social media pages for organizations that might be of interest to you.
We look forward to working and playing with you!