Yorkton Council unanimously supported a recommendation at its regular meeting Monday to declare the week of Apr. 15-21 as National Volunteer Week in the city.
“Volunteering is part of our identity as Canadians – we value civic participation and embrace a spirit of community,” said Lisa Washington, Community Development Manager with the city, who made the request. “Volunteer Canada, a national non-profit organization, is the national voice for volunteerism in Canada. According to Volunteer Canada, 13.3 million Canadian volunteers give their time to help others, contributing close to 2 billion volunteer hours per year. The tremendous efforts of Canada’s volunteers help make our country a vibrant, safe place to call home. National Volunteer Week, a campaign delivered annually by Volunteer Canada, is all about taking time to recognize the incredible contributions of our volunteers and letting them know how much their effort is appreciated. This is the 15th consecutive year for National Volunteer Week.
“I urge everyone to join in National Volunteer Week 2018 as we celebrate the value of volunteering – building confidence, competence, connections and community. Many consider volunteering as a selfless act: a person gives time, skills, experience, and passion to help others, most often without expecting anything in return. And while volunteering is a form of service, many volunteers will tell you that ‘you get more than you give.’ From opportunities to develop new skills, to finding deep and meaningful personal connections, the magic of volunteering is that it creates social and economic value for all: for individuals, families, organizations, neighbourhoods, communities and, ultimately, for Canada itself. This immense richness is something to be celebrated.”
A report to Council asked what is the value of volunteering to:
• A volunteer tutor who gets accepted into a competitive teaching program?
• The student whose attendance, grades, confidence and social connections increase?
• A stay-a-home parent who volunteers in the office of a non-profit and learns to use new software in preparation to return to the paid workforce?
• A retiree who finds a new sense of belonging and community while volunteering?
• An organization that is able to stay open enough hours to qualify for an operating grant from the city?
• A community that finds itself with lower crime rates as their volunteer rates increases?
“The answer is different for everyone and it isn’t simply about dollars - although many have successfully built arguments that volunteer involvement across Canada is worth tens of millions of dollars every month of every year. While there certainly is economic value, volunteering is measured in other essential things that are harder to quantify: in the ways it builds confidence, competence, and connections, in the way it builds community and, at the end of the day, the way volunteers create a more just and caring Canada. The impact of volunteering extends beyond a single individual, accruing compound interest by growing human capital one person, one neighbourhood and one community at a time; the value a volunteer contributes to their community can leave an impact that is seen for generations to come,” said Washington.
“When Canadians volunteer, everyone benefits. This year during National Volunteer Week from Apr. 15 to 21, 2018, we are celebrating the diverse value and far reaching impacts of volunteers and ask everyone to reflect on the social and economic impact volunteers have on the quality of their lives.”
Locally, volunteers do many good things for our community including, but certainly not limited to:
• Operating and supporting our recreation activities, sport and cultural events and organizations
• Advising, consulting, and governing many small and large community organizations including City of Yorkton committees
• Coaching, guiding and helping our children
• Increasing awareness of and fundraising for our charitable organizations
• Nourishing our hungry
• Reassuring and comforting our lonely
“As a result of these and many other events, projects, and committees driven and governed by volunteers, Yorkton’s quality of life is greatly enhanced by their generosity. Yorkton’s volunteers are young and old; workers, retirees, men and women of all ages and backgrounds; they are families. Volunteers strengthen and make our community vibrant,” said Washington.
“National Volunteer Week (Apr. 15-21) is Canada’s largest celebration of volunteers, volunteerism, and civic participation. It is a time to recognize, celebrate and thank our volunteers. As community involvement and volunteering continues to evolve, one thing remains timeless, however - volunteer efforts have a positive impact in Yorkton and all communities across Canada. Community engagement benefits everyone.”
