Happy National Volunteer Week!

The sun is out, and the weather is gorgeous just in time for Edmonton's nonprofits and charities to send out more than 13,000 thank you cards to their volunteers!

National Volunteer Week, which started April 18, is seven days in which to recognize the outstanding efforts of all of Canada's volunteers - from those who sit on national hospital boards to those who bake cookies for their child's soccer team, and back again. Throughout our country, these volunteers are improving our quality of life at every level.

For those of us working in the nonprofit sector, we see the benefits of volunteers every day - these are the people who help run our programs, put their skills to work on our committees, organize fundraisers, balance our books, and give us guidance and direction as members of our boards. Many of Alberta's nonprofits and charities are entirely volunteer driven, and the rest of us succeed only with their committed help.

On behalf of the 4,000 nonprofits and charities in Edmonton, we thank all the volunteers for their help & determination in making sure that not only Edmonton's nonprofit sector continues to thrive, but that Edmonton itself is a stronger, healthier, more compassionate and simply better place to live for all of us.

Happy National Volunteer Week!

With Thanks,

ECVO

Social Media & Volunteers

While attending the Chris Jarvis Workshop Series today, I was struck by the mention of attracting volunteers through social media. While there was a lot of good content to the session (especially around steps to move volunteers from a 'one time tourist' to a dependable and consistent 'guide'), I really appreciated the social media video that was shown, and all the ideas for promoting ECVO it inspired in me.

A lot of people are still unsure or uninformed when it comes to social media; a lot of others think it is just a trend or something that should be supplementary to their communications efforts. This video presents the truth about  Social Media in a far more eloquent manner that I could ever manage!

it's called the  Social Media Revolution Video.  The link will take you straight to it on YouTube. The information is a bit outdated (the video is from 2009, a lot of the numbers come from 2008), but it gives a good idea of the scope and power of social media - even if it's a little understated in comparison to today's numbers!

Hope you enjoy - and that this gives you some new ideas on how to attract volunteers!

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Happy International Volunteers Day (Dec. 5)

Posted by Lynn Ferguson, Programs Director


Thanks to my parents, volunteering has always played a significant role in my life.

When I was a young girl, my father coached both our track and field and baseball team.  He also volunteered on the board for the Kinsmen Club of Edmonton and posthumously, was recognized by the Minister of Sport and Fitness for his contribution to the development of amateur football referees in Alberta.


My mother was and still is, equally involved with volunteering. When I was growing up, she was an Assistant Coach in baseball and helped the Mother's Day Annual Tennis Tournament for our community league. Today she teaches ESL in Canmore, Alberta.


As I reflect today on National Volunteer Day, it raises the question,


"isn't everyday a volunteer day for somebody?"


The answer of course is yes!

I have been an active volunteer for several years, especially when my two boys were involved. There are endless volunteer opportunities when you are a parent!

For example, I've chaired the Parent Association and worked as Children's Program Director with our community league. I've been the parent rep for our playschool and I've coached and managed many sports.  I've volunteered for special events and activities. I would add that even if you are not a parent, there are many excellent reasons to volunteer:


-meet new people and connect in a meaningful way to your neighborhood.
-give back to the community. 
-share skills to make life better for yourself and others.

What has really kept me volunteering for the past 25 years is that I have enjoyed it tremendously!  I remember a former school principal saying, "if you have a job you love to do, you will never work a day in your life." For me, volunteering has been much the same experience.


My children are also learning the important value of the gift of time as they carry on our family tradition of volunteering.  Every summer they work as camp counsellors and help out in the community, sports and school. In conversations with others who donate their time and talents it is often said that they usually get back far more than they give.

I stand by that thought.

Years later, I am working at the ECVO and see on a daily basis the extraordinary work accomplished by the nonprofit/voluntary sector in Edmonton. Often nonprofits have few paid staff, so volunteers (who wear many hats) are essential to ensure the success of the organization. Not only are volunteers out on the front lines where they are visible but there are countless others working behind the scenes. 


So, please celebrate National Volunteer Day (Saturday December 5) and take a moment to express your gratitude and say thank you to an outstanding volunteer! Please check out http://www.getinvolved.ca/ a national campaign that asks for Canadians' time, not money to make a difference in 2010.