Latest News | March 2021

Last June we posted an awesome blog stating our allyship with Black Lives Matter. It contained a bunch of resources, a statement on our striving to be anti-racist and links for furthering learning. If you missed it or want to review it again, it is here. It is one of our most viewed blogs posts. 

This blog, nine months later, is just a friendly reminder to keep trying. Keep speaking up, keep listening to and centring BIPOC voices. Keep feeling uncomfortable and interrogating biases and beliefs. Continue to engage in activism, marches and calls to action, follow people on social media who are doing the work and support black owned businesses. 

Anti-racism is lifelong work, keep trying. 

We are about a month away from National Volunteer Week (April 18-24) and that can only mean one thing...there are numerous conversations and discussions trying to figure out the magical world of recognition. How to make the humans who give their times and skills to an organization feel seen and acknowledged for the work that they do? 

This question is sometimes complicated by a budget, usually already stretched to the limit. The results are often varied and well let's be honest we all have a drawer full of pens, stress balls and reusable grocery bags and closets full of t-shirts and random ball caps. 

There has been some research into this and it turns out the answer is actually very simple...volunteers want to be thanked and know the impact of their work. That is it, as simple and as complicated as that: a thank you note that outlines their contribution. 

If you are looking for inspiration, Beverly from Chatham, Ontario has spent her year writing over 1000 thank you notes. 

Happy Covidersery to everyone! The past 12 months have been A LOT. High highs, low lows and lots of sourdough. Here at VolunteerConnector we have seen the best of humans. Organizations continuing to the great work they have always been doing or in some cases pivoting to support the changing needs of their community. 2.2 million people looking on the volunteerconnector.org to find causes and opportunities that ignite their minds and spirits. We have also seen people doing great work outside the confines of organizations through mutual aid.

If you are interested in learning more check out this article in the New Yorker or this research conducted by our friends at Volunteer Scotland. 

Following a cause category is an easy way for people interested in giving their energy to their community to see opportunities that are the best fit! We have added a new one- 'election' so if that is something you are interested in, give it a follow! Additionally, if you are involved in municipal, provincial, and federal elections in your community and are looking for volunteers, be sure to use that tag when you post your opportunity! It is all about connecting people who care about the same things. 

The top 3 cause categories right now are children, youth & family, health and wellness, and covid-19! 

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Women Association Calgary is a group of 400 women and when masks became part of the public health recommendation, they got busy sewing. Over the course of a couple months they made over 1500 cotton masks! They turned to the VolunteerConnector to find organizations looking for masks and were successful! 1500 masks getting into the hands of people who can use them, keeping more people in the community safe. 

Watch the www.volunteerconnector.org for ongoing needs related to Covid response as the needs shift with vaccine roll out. There are people in your community that need a little extra help, organizations that work to meet their needs who will be posting! 

Here is a great example: Drive Happiness