Volunteer Peterborough learning quickly as it grows
When Volunteer Peterborough launched in July 2023, our core members had studied the key struggles that non-profit groups face.
Now, we are living them alongside them, with even greater empathy and desire to help.
Right from the start, we knew the top 10 challenges facing potential volunteers.
■No one asked them.
■Insufficient time due to inflexible schedules.
■Expensive or time-consuming police check.
■Transportation restrictions.
■Lack of a specific role with a specific timeline or specific project.
■Insufficient information or “goto” listing of opportunities.
■Insufficient promotion within the community.
■Uninteresting roles.
■COVID restrictions.
■Health concerns for volunteer or a family member.
Since then, we have worked to address the immediate concerns of lack of awareness and a one-stop shop of listings.
At this point, more than 100 organizations have created profiles for volunteers to shop around on one platform. Even better, they can sort listings by their interests and skills. And we’re just getting started. One of the greatest challenges has been getting overwhelmed staff at non-profits to take the time for “one more thing” — signing up for our service. Even though it’s free, their time is so valuable that they often cannot fit it into their days.
Once they do, they often find a quick response by an army of volunteers eager for new challenges. Our matchmaking website has drawn incredible interest from hundreds of individuals.
We respect the strain that organizations face. After all, most of them have lost core volunteers in recent years to age or relocations. Rebuilding takes energy and time, which is why we created our service in the first place.
Learning all the time
Along our own journey, we’ve experienced the same ups and downs as the charities we aim to help.
At first, we had a problem of an increasingly disengaged population and needed to define the solution. Next, we moved from strategy to execution, while building a board and committee with the right skills for the moment.
Over time, we had to readjust, since some volunteers didn’t fit. Others faced those unavoidable challenges of family illnesses and death, so they had to step aside.
At the same time, we had to find allies to fund our operations, even though we had no track record. Fortunately, having a great team of people convinced some major organizations to step up.
Frankly, without the support of Age-friendly Peterborough, the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough, Peterborough County and the local Chamber of Commerce, who knows where we would be?
How did we do all this?
In part, we had a compelling cause and messaging that relayed the issue. Yet, we also had a solution and a clear path of how people and organizations could come aboard. Once they saw themselves as part of the solution, they joined the volunteer movement.
Our growing pains continue. As such, we are moving from a coalition to an official non-profit organization. This means investing time in bylaws, policies and a more formal structure.
As other non-profits know, this vital step positions us well by creating a strong base. From here, we can do even more work to support charities, teams and organizations.
Every conversation with a nonprofit teaches us a lesson in the journey. It has been incredibly rewarding to hear the success stories amid the stress of coping with an ever-changing volunteer landscape.
What’s next?
If you haven’t connected with us yet, the door is still wide open. Organizations can sign up on VolunteerPeterborough.ca, then post roles and events to draw in new helpers. You just need to be a nonprofit based in the Peterborough or one offering services here.
We’re keeping it simple. You know you don’t need any more complexity in your world.
Looking ahead, we are hosting two events that we hope will help more groups meet and manage their volunteers.
First, we are hosting a training session entitled Maximizing Your Delegating Skills at Alternatives Community Program Services on March 28. This aims to help divide up the work between staff and volunteers so everyone can offer their best work.
Next, mark your calendar for May 8 when we host our inaugural Meet Your Match Volunteer Fair at the YMCA from noon to 4 p.m. We have space for 40 booths and unlimited room for volunteers to swing by and shop around. This event is made possible by the generosity of the Peterborough Foundation.
If you cannot wait for more details, email volunteer@volunteerpeterborough.ca. The booths are already selling fast.
If you need volunteers, please reach out. And if you want to find a role that suits your unique skills, we can help.
On top of the online portal, we also offer 30-minute consultations with our program manager. This supports individuals who prefer inperson or phone conversations over digital options.
Volunteer Peterborough exists to make our non-profits, volunteers and community stronger. We cannot do it alone, so get in touch with us today.
Volunteer Peterborough exists to make our non-profits, volunteers and community stronger. We cannot do it alone, so get in touch with us today