I don鈥檛 know about you, but this week鈥檚 slightly cooler temperatures are bringing some physical relief, along with a slight sense of sadness as the inevitable end of summer looms on the horizon. But fear not, we have something for you to look forward to that will chase that sadness away, and get you looking forward with excitement and purpose. Mark your calendars now for Saturday, September 21 for the annual Okanagan Volunteer Fair.
September is a time of change 鈥� for younger children and families, it may be time for back to school preparations while for older 鈥渃hildren鈥� (who suddenly grew into adults) it is a new start with full-time jobs, post-secondary education or perhaps even a gap year, where the new graduate takes some time to explore their options and potentially the world.
For those of us who are a little longer in the tooth and who are seeing our children off on new, independent adventures, it may be time to explore how we fill our buckets (and time) with exciting volunteer options. For youth it is a great time to explore career options and life experience through volunteerism. For families with youth, multi-generational volunteering may be a great way to build family connections.
For the past 25+ years, KCR with fantastic partners like 琉璃神社, Central Okanagan Foundation and the City of 琉璃神社, has hosted the Okanagan Volunteer Fair, where over 65 local non-profit organizations gather to connect with the community that is looking for opportunities to give back. There are options for everyone!
Non-profit organizations are critical to any healthy community and make it more socially equitable, safe, fun and enriching because of the services they offer and the missions they seek to achieve. Volunteers are a key factor in how and why they are able to achieve these missions.
No sector is untouched: sports, arts, education, health, government, social services, neighbourhoods 鈥� each is fuelled by volunteers and all are stronger and better for them.
Volunteer Canada identifies the powerful impact volunteerism has on Canadian society, communities, organizations and individuals as follows:
Volunteer Involvement is:
- Fundamental to a healthy and democratic society in Canada
- It promotes civic engagement and active participation to shape the society we want.
- It encourages everyone to play their part and to contribute to the quality of life in communities.
- Vital for strong and connected communities
- It promotes change and development through the collective efforts of those who know the community best.
- It identifies and supports local strengths and assets to respond to community challenges while strengthening the social fabric.
- Capacity building for organizations
- It provides organizations with the skills, talents and perspectives that are essential to their relevance, vitality and sustainability.
- It increases the capacity of organizations to accomplish their goals through programs and services that respond to and are reflective of the unique characteristics and needs of their communities.
- Personal
- It creates a sense of belonging and wellbeing.
- It allows for individuals to engage according to their personal preferences, interests, skills and motivations.
- Building relationships
- It connects people to the causes they care about, and allows both community and personal goals to be met.
- It creates opportunities for non-profit organizations to accomplish their goals, and it allows volunteers to connect with and contribute to building community. 1
Imagine if the non-profit sector were not a daily part of our lives. Challenge yourself to really see how and where volunteers effect you, your community and the world we live in. Every day for a week, track how and where you intersect with volunteers, and imagine what our world would look like without them. Take a moment to acknowledge and thank the volunteers in your life and remember the powerful impact they make and how their efforts lift our community and make us all better.
And then come to the Volunteer Fair to meet the volunteers and team members of the amazing organizations that make the Central Okanagan stronger and consider how you might be able to start (or continue) to change the world this September at the annual Okanagan Volunteer Fair.
Join us Saturday, September 21 from 10:00 鈥� 2:00 pm at the Parkinson Recreation Centre. Find out more at . See you there.
- Source: 2017 Canadian Code for Volunteer Involvement
Dorothee Birker is the communications & development manager for KCR Community Resources.
