I object to the term “volunteer program.”

In our sector many organizations use this term to describe all the voluntary roles that perform day to day operations (i.e. actual programs and services). Recruitment, onboarding, training, engagement, supervision and recognition of people in these roles are managed within the “volunteer program.”

[more ...]

Returning to Vantage Point after my recent “secondment” to the political arena, I expected to slide right back into business as usual. I thought I would pick up exactly where I left off.

[more ...]

In 2010, Vantage Point engaged 166 individuals in 205 roles alongside our staff team of eight. I’m often asked: how do you find all of these talented people? [more ...]

December is the time of year we all become very fixated on giving: presents, donations, volunteer time. We seem to have arrived at a place of thinking “giving” should be strategic – as in, make a budget and a list before you buy presents; research a charity’s finances before you make a donation; choose a volunteer opportunity where you can also spend time with your friends and family. [more ...]

If you're like me, and enjoy watching charming men with British accents cook, you've probably been watching Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution — a weekly show following one man's relentless drive to change how America feeds its children. [more ...]

So I have embarked on what is supposed to be a life-transforming health journey. Namely, a program at a gym where everyone is already totally fit and hot (that always kind of irks me) that requires I work out from 6-7 am SIX DAYS A WEEK! In addition, we get nutrition counseling and sign up to follow a relatively strict regimen of food. All of this for eight weeks.

[more ...]

Today's guest blogger is one of our extraordinary volunteers, Suzanne Boyd - who blogs here.  Suzanne is an HR professional - and one of those incredibly smart, lively and engaged people that makes me feel a little bit inadequate in the best possible way. Suzanne facilitates training for Volunteer Vancouver. In this case, she was the presenter at a Books for Breakfast event. For more information on that program, check out the propaganda at the bottom of this post.

[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 ...]

In June, Stats Canada released the Canada Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating (CSGVP). Side note: as a reformed American, I just love the name of this federal office, like it’s “all stats on all subjects all the time”. A smorgasbord of information – love it! I don’t know if the US has one, but they should.

[more ...]