Many people spend their entire lifetime volunteering
their level of neighbours.
Respondents tended to report lower levels of satisfaction with their level of interaction and reported lower levels of interdependency and participation in social gatherings if they:
• Lived in their neighbourhoods three years or less
• Interacted with once a week or less
• Intended on moving five years
• Were between 20-35 years of age and over 80 years of age their
Pilots to programs
neighbours in the next
Recognizing that connection and engagement are fundamental in fostering attachment to a community, the 2014 research and engagement data was carefully analyzed in order to determine how best to support residents of Kelowna in connecting and engaging at the neighbourhood level. Three key focus areas emerged through this analysis and formed the foundation on which the pilot projects were developed.
To learn more visit: kelowna.ca/ city-hall/contact-us/e-subscribe-noTIfiCATIONS
I love reading obituary notices in the newspaper. They tell such wonderful accounts of a person’s life story.
Information about working life, and family and friends is shared with much warmth and love.
I am regularly struck by the amount of volunteering that the person has done. Often beginning as a young parent helping with school activities, sporting leagues, programs like Cubs and Brownies, and let’s not forget the Women’s organizations of the community. In later years we read about helping in the hospital, being part of service organizations, and involvement in political parties. All of this and more tells the story of a complex and wonderful individual.
I can’t help wondering what our life story will say. Will it talk about service to the community?
Will it speak of helping to make groups and organizations func- tion more effectively? Are we as committed to our community as our forebearers were?
These certainly are probing questions.
I became involved in the South Okanagan Similkameen Community Connections Volunteer Centre in 2012 out of my desire to give some time and energy to an organization I believed in. Having been a volunteer since I was a young teenager it seemed natural that I would help others get involved in volunteering. We have over 40 member organizations connected to us and many more who utilize our resources. With over 1,000 volunteers that interact with us, we are busy. We promote and advocate for volunteerism in the region.
Perhaps you are an active volunteer and are looking for information that will help you to become an even more informed helper in the organization, or possibly you have been thinking about volunteering but don’t know where to start, then the SOSCC Volunteer Centre is the place to turn to.
Subrina Monteith, the executive director would like to meet with you. Call for an appointment at 1-888-576-5661 or email: info@volunteercentre. info or check out the website: volunteercentre.info.
Why not make the South Okanagan Similkameen Community Connections Volunteer Centre and one or more of its many organizations, festivals, and activities part of your life story. You won’t regret it!
Laura Turnbull is chair of the South Okanagan Similkameen Community Connections Volunteer Centre.