The Greater Victoria Volunteer Society, more commonly known as Volunteer Victoria serves our community through six core functions:
Brokerage
- Volunteer Victoria matches individuals and groups interested in volunteering with opportunities across Greater Victoria
- We collect and manage information on a comprehensive range of volunteer opportunities. The list of volunteer opportunities changes daily. In 2014, 692 new volunteer positions were created. The positions were viewed 260,760 times
- We provide potential volunteers of all ages and stages of life support and advice so we can match their motivation to volunteer with the right type of volunteering opportunity. In 2014 we hosted more than 300 advising appointments so volunteers could meet with someone one on one to help them find a volunteer position
- In 2014 we served 1605 youth at schools, 220 youth in group volunteering activities, and supported 166 youth one on one to address their specific barrier to volunteering.
- Our Volunteer Access Program and Recreation Visiting Program serves more than 100 people each year who are a mental health or substance use journey
Marketing and Promotions
- We promote and market volunteering through local and regional events and media campaigns on a weekly basis. In 2014 more than 800 unique volunteer positions were listed in local newspapers, and on television and radio
- Volunteer Victoria stimulates, encourages, and celebrates local interest in volunteering and community activity. In 2014 we celebrated more than 320 youth and provided them with Recognition Certificates
Emerging and Best Practice Development, Training and Development
- Volunteer Victoria explores emerging practice and promotes best practice in working with volunteers to all volunteer involving organisations
- We deliver training and certification for potential volunteers, volunteers, volunteer managers, and staff in voluntary organizations
- Each year more than 1100 individuals participate in training opportunities. 54% of all training is offered at no charge
- Volunteer Victoria host an Executive Directors Network and an Emerging Leaders Network to help peers connect, build and share knowledge, and to convene conversations, to develop partnerships and collaborations, and to explore opportunities
Develop Volunteering Opportunities
- Volunteer Victoria works in close partnership with voluntary organizations, municipalities, and public sector agencies as well as community groups and faith groups to develop local volunteering opportunities. We play an important role in in developing the quality of volunteering, not just in providing volunteers
- We provide specific programs for youth aged 15 to 25, and for individuals on a mental health or substance use journey
- When individuals face barriers to volunteering we work creatively to develop volunteer opportunities that meet their specific needs
Policy Development and Response
- Volunteer Victoria identifies proposals or legislation that may have an impact on volunteering or the voluntary community
- We lead and/or participate in campaigns on issues that affect volunteers or volunteering
- As the local experts on volunteering Volunteer Victoria informs strategic thinking and planning at a municipal and regional level
Strategic Consultation and Resources
- Volunteer Victoria provides tools, resources, and consultation to the community on issues related to volunteer and non profit management
- We host a library of books and resources on non profit management and have public spaces where members of the public can come to explore their volunteering options
- We offer members access to Grant Connect – a fundraising database that helps organizations find grants
- The Management Assistance Program provides short-term skilled volunteers to help with specific projects. In 2014 we completed 18 projects primarily focused on strategic decision making, governance, human resources, and program evaluation
