Добровольные центры Альберты выполняют роль ключевых связующих звеньев в сообществах

A new report from Volunteer Alberta says volunteer centres across the province play a much broader role in their communities than simply connecting people with volunteer opportunities. The report, Learning From the Field, examined the role of volunteer centres and how they are adapting to changing volunteer patterns, community needs and organizational challenges. Volunteer Airdrie says the findings reflect what it has experienced locally over the past several years. “This report from Volunteer Alberta has put on the record what we have been seeing as Airdrie's Volunteer Centre over the past couple of years, and we are grateful for how clearly it outlines the contribution that organizations like us are making in our communities,” Volunteer Airdrie said in a statement. “How we are so much more than just a database of volunteer roles but rather are core community connectors.” Related Stories: - Three programs ended as Volunteer Airdrie sharpened focus on volunteer recruitment - Airdrie toddler set for Italy procedure amid Alberta funding appeal - ‘Little slices of joy’: Airdrie teen shares recovery story ahead of Miracle Treat Day Volunteer centres connect communities The study found volunteer centres act as community connectors, linking residents with resources, services and opportunities while supporting nonprofits, municipalities and community groups with training, volunteer-management tools and relationship building. The report identifies six key functions of volunteer centres: matching volunteers with opportunities, building organizational capacity, delivering community programming, recognizing volunteers, educating the public about volunteerism and advocating for the sector. Researchers gathered perspectives from 11 of the 22 known volunteer centres in the province. Changing volunteer landscape The report says the COVID-19 pandemic placed significant pressure on volunteer organizations, increasing demand for services while contributing to declines in formal volunteering and community engagement. While volunteerism has begun to recover, organizations are facing changing expectations, including greater demand for flexible and short-term opportunities. The report also found volunteer centres are increasingly helping organizations adapt their recruitment and management practices to those changes. Funding remains a challenge Funding was identified as one of the most significant challenges, particularly for nonprofit volunteer centres that rely on grants, contracts, fundraising and donations. The report says short-term and project-based funding can make it difficult for organizations to maintain staff, plan for the future or respond to emerging community needs. Limited staffing and capacity were also identified as barriers, with some organizations having reduced or eliminated dedicated volunteer-management positions during the pandemic. Volunteer Airdrie said the challenges it faces are shared by volunteer centres across the province. “It's also been very informative to see that the organizational challenges and successes we are seeing are not isolated but rather are experienced by other Volunteer Centres in Alberta and beyond,” the organization said. “We are also eager to look at ways to put the paper's recommendations into practice here in Airdrie.” Calls for greater investment Volunteer Alberta recommends greater investment in volunteer infrastructure, stable and sustainable funding, increased public awareness of the value of volunteerism and stronger collaboration between volunteer centres, governments, funders and volunteer-engaging organizations. The report also recommends volunteer centres help organizations improve recruitment, onboarding, retention and engagement practices, while creating more flexible and inclusive opportunities for people to participate. Volunteer Airdrie said the research has also given it information to bring forward in discussions with the City of Airdrie. “This report also prompted us to look into how other Volunteer Centers in Alberta have been supported by their own municipalities, which has provided us with some great information to take to the city when we next discuss our work with them,” the organization said. Volunteer Alberta says sustained investment in volunteerism is important to building social connection, civic participation and community resilience across Alberta. Listen live to Air 106.1 FM for local news, weather, traffic and community updates throughout the day. Stream us anytime through the DiscoverAirdrie app or online.