Tag: awards

National Volunteer Recognition Week “We Appreciate You!” Contest

It’s National Volunteer Recognition Week (April 15 – 21, 2012) and our chance to let those special volunteers in our lives know that “We Appreciate You!”.  All across Canada, all week long, volunteers will be celebrated and thanked in a myriad of different ways.

This year, Volunteer Victoria has partnered with Wells Gray Tours and CHEK TV to celebrate our local volunteers through the “We Appreciate You!” contest. Until April 20th you can nominate someone in our community for the great work they are doing. The winner will be announced on CHEK News at 5:00 p.m. on April 23rd and will receive the Wells Gray Vancouver Gardens & Gourmet 3 day All-Inclusive Tour – June 24-26.

Don’t miss this great new opportunity to show a deserving unsung hero how much they are appreciated! Nominate someone deserving today!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did You Know? Over 180,000 local volunteers give 32 million hours of their time, talent and dedication to our community each year? That’s an average of 178 hours/each per year!

I know you’ll agree that we just couldn’t do what we do without them! Whether feeding the homeless, sitting on boards, coaching our youth, teaching a teen to read or driving seniors to appointments (and doing everything in between!) volunteers provide critical, caring support to people of all ages in our community. Thank you volunteers!

Here is a run-down of the activities we have planned this week. Tell us what your organization is doing to celebrate!

Stay tuned as we will be sharing some volunteer profiles with you this week as well. Thanks again to those members who submitted them! We hope you will keep them coming!

Here is what the week looks like…

Monday, April 16th – Tune in to KOOL Mornings with Robin and Brian on 107.3 KOOL FM at 10:15 a.m. to hear an on-air interview with our Youth Program Coordinator, Leanna Hill. Topics include: impact of youth volunteerism and trends as well as some of the interesting ways youth are helping to shape our vibrant community.

At 1:10 p.m., tune in to Dave Dickson‘s show on C-FAX 1070 AM and join Executive Director, Lisa Mort-Putland and Lori Elder Manager, Communications & Community Relations as they speak to such topics as the value/impact of our local volunteers and the importance of National Volunteer Week, as well as share up-to-date information regarding volunteering trends.

Wednesday, April 18th – Look for our full colour “Thank You Volunteers!” Co-op ad in the Black Press (in Victoria News, Saanich News, Oak Bay News, Goldstream News Gazette and Peninsula News Review). Also banner ads in the Victoria News Daily on April 17 & 19.

Then from 4:30 – 7:00 p.m. get inspired while supporting our local youth! Join us for a thought-provoking screening of a documentary film at RRU called R/Evolution in support of our Youth Volunteer Connections Program (YVCP).  Admission by donation with all proceeds to Volunteer Victoria’s Youth Program. Suggested donation $5. Register to Attend In Person or through Live-Stream Web Video. A panel presentation will follow with the Exec. Producer of the film and local leaders. View the 8-minute trailer http://www.r-evolutionthemovie.com/thefilm.html

Friday, April 20th – Volunteer Victoria’s Executive Director, Lisa Mort-Putland will help ring in volunteer week celebrations with the MS Society at their volunteer celebration event.

**Don’t forget! Our “We Appreciate You!” volunteer contest ends with CHEK TV/Wells Gray Tours on April 20th! The winner will be announced on April 23rd on-air during CHEK TV’s 5 p.m. news.

Saturday, April 21st/Sunday, April 22 – Look for our full colour “Thank You Volunteers!” Co-op ad in the Times Colonist.


Volunteers Grow Community! On behalf of Volunteer Victoria’s board, staff and volunteers a sincere thank you to all volunteers for your passion, dedication, caring, and time. We truly do appreciate you! Each and every day of the year!

 

2011 Youth Now Awards

Do you know a remarkable youth? What about a group of remarkable youth?

Do you know a remarkable youth worker, or a super youth friendly organization or business?

United Way’s Youth Advisory Council, in partnership with the Intermunicipal Recreation Youth Services of Greater Victoria, have planned and are hosting this year’s Youth Now Awards to take place over International Youth Week (May 1-7). This 13th annual  awards ceremony will celebrate the valuable contributions young people (11-29 years old) make to our community.

You can be an adult, a family member, a child, a youth, a friend or anyone to nominate someone for an award! It’s that easy!

What’s the criteria? The Youth Now awards nomination package reads:

Individual youth and groups of youth (between 11 and 29 years old) who have provided extraordinary service to others, acted as role models for environmental stewardship, or demonstrated exceptional personal accomplishments can be nominated for Youth Awards.

Professionals who make a difference in the lives of the youth they work with, as well as businesses and organizations who excel at providing youth friendly services can also be nominated. There are no age restrictions for these two recognition categories. Nominations will be accepted until April 14th.

The categories are as follows:

YOUTH RECOGNITION CATEGORIES

Big Change Award: to recognize youth who have overcome major obstacles to make their own lives healthier, safer and happier.

Friendship Award: to recognize youth who practice true friendship and have gone out of their way to be a friend to others

NOTE: we strongly recommend that nominations for this award come from peers, friends and family members.

Green Award: to recognize youth who have gone above and beyond in the promotion and/or development of earth-friendly practices.

Group Volunteer Award: to recognize youth who give back to their community as part of an organized or informal group (group can be any size but its core members should be between the ages of 11 and 29).

Individual Volunteer Award: to recognize youth (ages 11 to 14, 15 to 19, or 20 to 29), who make extraordinary contributions to their communities and neighbourhoods through their volunteer activities.

YOUTH-FRIENDLY RECOGNITION CATEGORIES:

Youth Friendly Business/Organization Award: to recognize businesses and/or organizations who excel at making their services and location youth friendly.

Youth Worker Award: to recognize the professionals who work with youth and make an incredible difference in their lives.

The achievements of all the nominees will be recognized at the Youth Now Awards Gala, to be held on May 6 at Royal Oak Middle School.  Everyone is welcome to attend. To reserve seats for the Youth Now Awards Gala, please call 250-220-7359 or email youth@uwgv.ca.

It doesn’t take a lot to recognise the young people in our community and in our lives: This is a great way to say thanks in a big way!

AGM Awards

Volunteer Victoria welcomed over 80 guests (funders, supporters, member agencies, Coordinators of Volunteers, etc) to celebrate our35th Annual General Meeting on June 24th. The agenda consisted of a delicious breakfast, guest speakers, agency awards and ended with a brief meeting. The theme for the day was Embracing the Future – Leading for Change.      

Sandra Richardson (Victoria Foundation) presented Val Green (Volunteer Victoria) with a plaque recognizing our accomplishments over the past 35 years and thanking Volunteer Victoria for ‘giving heart to our community for 35 years’.      

Each year our Youth Program Coordinator and Access Program Coordinator present Agency Awards to dedicated leaders working with our member agencies. These leaders are chosen for their continuous demonstration of excellence in communication, leadership and accommodation through excellence in volunteer management.      

The following are this year’s outstanding awardees:

Brian Del Raye – Recreation Therapist, Selkirk Place (presented by Lornna Olson, Access Program Coordinator)

It is Brian’s job as the Recreation Therapist to find volunteers to help with the many programs available for the seniors that reside at Selkirk Place. Already working with a high needs population, Brian is open to accommodating volunteers that may require some extra guidance. He is always timely to respond to inquires about volunteering, and always willing to give a tour of the facilities to potential volunteers. Volunteers from our Youth Program, Access Program and Employer Supported Volunteer Program have all been welcomed and supported under Brian’s direction. Brian works with a pool of approximately 25 volunteers and 8 recreational therapy staff to service the 250 seniors living at Selkirk Place. 

Lornna presents Certificate of Excellence to Brian.
Recently Brian was willing to take a second look at a potential volunteer from the Access program who was dealing with a misunderstood circumstance that was making it difficult for her to be placed as a volunteer.  Because of Brian’s understanding this volunteer has had the opportunity to prove herself and this connection has been a very important part of her recovery. 

Catriona Campbell – Coordinator of Volunteers, James Bay Community Project (presented by Lornna Olson, Access Program Coordinator)       

This is the second time Catriona has been honored with this award in the 15 years that she has been connected with James Bay Community Project (3 years on the board prior to 12 years as Coordinator of Volunteers). This community health care centre serves approximately 350 people a day. Catriona organises 250 volunteers, 50 of them being  community living volunteers. Last year her volunteers worked a total of 18,800 volunteer hours.    We can count on Catriona’s openness and acceptance of all types of volunteers. She is always very clear about her volunteer needs and always willing to give an interview.   If the position in question has already been filled, or if she feels that the fit might not work, Catriona is able to think outside the box to tailor a potential position that might fit more within the volunteer’s abilities.    

Recently a client of Volunteer Victoria’s Access Program expressed interest in a pruning position at the project, but due to anxiety didn’t think that he wanted to be around crowds. Catriona suggested that this client come to prune the trees when the project was closed –to avoid having to be around people. Eventually the volunteer felt welcome enough that he could be comfortable inside the building and eventually expressed interest in volunteering directly with members of the project.       

Gillian Rowan – Recreation Services Team Leader, Burnside Gorge Community Association (presented by Tara MacDonald, Youth Program Coordinator)

Gillian has been working at Burnside Gorge Community Association, as the Team Leader in Recreation Services for the past 2 years. She runs about 30 recreation activities and also coordinates the numerous special events hosted by BGCA. Last year, Gillian organized 5 special events and managed over 700 volunteers. Gillian demonstrates excellence in leadership, communication and accommodation as she welcomes volunteers of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.  She encourages youth to get involved and she genuinely appreciates the energy and positive attitude they bring to the events. She also encourages families, people with special needs and new Canadians to come and get involved in their community through volunteering. Gillian recognizes the great value a diverse pool of volunteers can add to an event.

  Tara presents Certificate of Excellence award to Gillian  

Gillian also recruits non-event volunteers to support her work at the centre. When she needs help with something, and may not have the expertise or the time to do it, she will create a volunteer posting seeking help.  For example, when Gillian needed to create promotional materials, she recruited a graphic designer. When she needs office support, she recruits an administration volunteer and when she required help with her website, she recruited a webmaster who works for a local tech company and is delighted to offer her skills in a volunteer capacity.Volunteers who work with Gillian are welcomed with a warm smile and enjoy a meaningful and positive volunteer experience. 

To all our supporters, funders, Coordinators of Volunteers and members, past and present, the staff at Volunteer Victoria thank you for your support over the past 35 years.

Val Green, Lornna Olson, Tara MacDonald, Beth Cougler-Blom, Liz Belsten, Lori Elder, Bonnie Van Volkenburg. Missing: Louise Keith

(Photos by Snap Victoria)