Minor hockey, farmers’ markets and festivals, each appeal to a very different demographic but share one important commonality – volunteers.
Today marks the end of National Volunteer Week and while communities across the country took the time to recognize the tens of thousands of volunteers who give their time so freely, these men and women, young and old, deserve our thanks all year round.
It is not an exaggeration to say volunteers are the cogs that ensure a community runs smoothly. They coach our children, record our histories, organize our festivals and help with a host of other activities too numerous to name.
According to the city’s 2014 social master plan report, Family Community Support Services (FCSS) funded organizations “benefited from 773 volunteers with a combined contribution of 16,922 hours.”
Glynis Thomas, the executive director at the Community Information and Volunteer Centre (CIVC), called volunteers the lifeblood of any community with tens of thousands of hours of service in 2014.
With figures such as those, it is easy to see how much a community would lose without these contributions. It is also easy to see why volunteer burnout is such a real problem.
Not only do volunteers contribute their time around their own busy schedules, it is often a thankless job. There is no monetary reward and many times people forget to thank the people who help make events a success.
It is for that reason it is so vital that communities take the time to officially recognize their volunteers as CIVC is doing with its annual volunteer awards and appreciation ceremony.
Not only does the ceremony take the time to show the city’s gratitude, it helps with volunteer retention. While many of those who volunteer need little more than a smile or a nod, it is always nice to be recognized. Knowing people care about the efforts you put in also adds that extra little incentive.
CIVC’s leaders of tomorrow award is also a brilliant way to not only recognize the young people who get involved at the community level, but to also hopefully encourage more youths to get involved.
Many volunteers tend to be older and thus building the next generation of volunteers is essential to keeping the spirit of volunteerism alive. Getting more youths involved also fosters a sense of ownership within a community, which helps develop a connection and pride in the community and in turn reaps social benefits for our society.
Community building and enhancement, developing civic pride and responsibility, and ensuring we all have the chance to engage in activities that are important to us, are all products of volunteering. It is truly the epitome of an everyone wins endeavour.
