This initiative will create a virtual volunteer service, by developing a web based Volunteer Services Portal. The single point of access will provide a sustainable environment that can be expanded to provide more services and/or serve a broader geographic region in the future.
The portal will offer five services:
1) a matching service where organizations can post each of their volunteer opportunities and individuals can browse through the opportunities to select areas of interest and connect directly with the agency;
2) a virtual library where organizations can post and share documents such as sample policies and brochures, links to other online resources;
3) a calendar where organizations can post items such as training workshops, special events, etc., and individuals can navigate through the calendar to locate postings of interest and connect directly with the agency;
4) a help desk function will provide email and/or telephone access to Community Connection's telephone counsellors who will provide additional individual information and referral services for those who need more assistance;
5) a professional mentoring service with match organizations to individual professionals who are interested in volunteering their time to consult and advise on topics relating to the non-profit sector.
Volunteer Centres have closed all over the province due to a lack of sustainable funding, the Volunteer Service Portal is a Trillium Foundation funded project that is being led by the Huron United Way and consists of a development committee of The United Ways of Bruce Grey, Perth and South
Georgian Bay. This online portal will cover 4 full counties and the Town of Collingwood.
The sustainability for an online portal is significantly easier than a 'bricks and mortar' Volunteer Centre.
This session, if accepted, will review similar portals currently in existence as well as a brief overview of the ongoing development of this new portal. Launch of this portal is anticipated for the spring of 2008. What a wonderful opportunity to be in on the ground floor of a new online
service.
Presentation of this project will be by Executive Director of the United Way of Bruce Grey, Francesca Dobbyn.
