Saluting Community Social Services Volunteers
By Contributor
Kootenay Boundary Community Service Co-operative (KBCSC – The Koop) supports 18 non-profit community-based social service societies operating in communities throughout the Columbia Basin, West and East Kootenay, and Boundary region.
The Koop is celebrating National Volunteer Month by launching a board member/volunteer recruitment campaign throughout the region. Board volunteers are both a resource and an asset to the strength of an organization.
Volunteers benefit directly from this experience. Volunteers get the opportunity to enrich their life, access experiential learning for future employment, expand both their professional and personal networks and give back to their community through volunteering.
Community social service organizations benefit from the contributions of volunteers: from their experience, knowledge, skills and vision for improving community.
Lena Horswill community volunteer and board chair of the Koop states, “I truly believe everyone has something to offer. Boards are where the democratic process is alive and well since we represent all aspects of community. “
The board of a community service agency should mirror the community that it supports. A diverse volunteer board provides the non-profit with sustainability for the continuance of quality services within the community. A board consisting of community members from diverse backgrounds allows the agencies to better assist, identify, and respond to community needs highlighted directly from within their board.
The Koop’s member agencies are varied in their programs, services, and regions and their boards need to reflect those differences.
Marta Abel board volunteer of Nelson Community Services says, “It’s so rewarding to be part of a board, an organization, a community and a larger network that works for meaningful social change.”
This campaign aims to highlight the vital work of local non-profit community service agencies, showcase the diversity of current board members and their agencies, and educate and increase awareness about the importance of volunteers and the community-based social service agencies they support.
The campaign includes a series of short videos of existing board members shot by Watershed Productions: these will be available on the Koop‘s and member agencies’ websites. The videos highlight the diversity of the existing boards as well as board members’ individual motivations for volunteering on boards and the variety of benefits from those experiences.
The purpose of the Koop (KBCSC) is to pursue, deliver, and coordinate resources and services provided by and for its members. There is a growing need among member organizations to recruit qualified, diversified, and passionate Board of Directors. The Koop invites all members of the community to consider supporting their local community service organizations by volunteering to serve on their boards.
Anyone interested to know more about the benefits of joining a community service board, head to www.thekoop.ca or contact: Janice M. Murphy, PhD, MBA Executive Director at janice@thekoop.ca
Photo Caption: Phyllis Nash (left), a Nelson CARES Society board member, and Lena Horswill, a long-time community volunteer, believe everyone has something to offer. — Photo courtesy Watershed Productions
