Often people come to Vantage Point and say they would like to volunteer with us. Can you remember a time when someone said that to you? I’ll bet it has happened! Many people in the community are passionate about your cause, and they will often approach your organization to explore how they can contribute. And if your organization has an event, or if you have an ongoing task they could do, you might be able to slot them in.

[more ...]

In a world where everything is changing rapidly, the old rules no longer apply.  The structures, strategies and processes that once created successful organizations are not sustainable today. You’ve heard the refrain – funding is disappearing, we don’t have enough money, there aren’t enough volunteers. We know things aren’t working. And yet, we remain attached to the status quo and traditional ways of doing things. Change is difficult and uncomfortable – and we resist it. [more ...]

We are very excited Canada's Governor General is focusing on community engagement!

We have worked with volunteers, and in the field of volunteer leadership for years. So we have huge belief in the concept, and agree volunteering is part of being Canadian. Like the Governor General, we see the way people want to be engaged in their communities is changing – and a new definition of volunteering is required.  How wonderful to see a public figure insist on this so passionately.

[more ...]

"One thing they never tell you about child raising is that
the rest of your life, at the drop of a hat, you are expected
to know your child's name and how old he or she is."    
- Erma Bombeck [more ...]

When the days are longer and sunnier (I hope they still are when you're reading this), I find myself spending more time looking out the window than at my computer screen.

[more ...]

Today's guest blogger is John Trotter, an exceptional marketing & communications consultant that we've had the pleasure of working with over the past few months.   Read on for a glimpse of John's  personal experience as a skills-based volunteer. [more ...]

Apologies for the delay in transmission!   Between the Olympic festivities and some staff transitions, it has been a busy - and exciting - few months around here.   We're restarting the conversation with a first-person account of the Olympic volunteer experience.  Read on, and Olga Pazukha, one of our staff members, will take you behind the scenes of one of the largest and most-watched events in the world.  

[more ...]

If you're following this blog regularly, then you know I haven't posted in a while. I've been in transition as I move to Minneapolis, Minnesota and take up residence. And yet, here I am, from Minneapolis, writing this blog. I'm paid to write this blog; it's part of my job description.

[more ...]

Today's guest bloggers  are Anil Patel, Executive Director and Jen Grebeldinger, Program Manager of The Framework Foundation, possibly better known for their Timeraiser events across Canada. And in the name of full disclosure, Volunteer Vancouver does work with the Timeraiser crew so it's a tainted, but genuine full endorsement that I can offer on everything these guys touch. Their model of engaging all their stakeholders, via their Civic Footprint, might be one of the coolest things I've ever seen. [more ...]