Volunteers impact our world, nation city

Share this story

Tweet

• National volunteer week
• Volunteer: Thank the volunteers in your life
• Volunteering can bring the world to you
• Volunteers heralded worldwide
• Volunteer: Get healthy through volunteering
• Volunteers have a code to live by thanks to Volunteer Canada

This is a good week for volunteerism. Monday, Dec. 5, marked the International Day of Volunteers and the International Year of Volunteers 10th Anniversary.

The United Nations released its first State of the World’s Volunteerism Report. Volunteer Canada committed to develop online volunteer resources and tools. The City of Kelowna opened the nomination process for Civic and Community Awards.

The UN report states that “strong and healthy economies are desirable, but only inasmuch as they enable people to lead lives that bring them wellbeing.” Solidarity, passion for a cause and the desire to give back to society are inherent in both well-being and volunteerism.

Migration and travel, employer supported volunteering and web-based technologies are substantially changing volunteerism worldwide.

Volunteer Canada intends to forge ahead with creating online resources. Two such resources were launched here in Kelowna last month at an event hosted by Kelowna Community Resources.

Watch for learning opportunities this coming spring on topics of boomer volunteer engagement as well as volunteering and retirement planning. 2011 will bring a fresh focus on training and advocating for volunteerism in the Central Okanagan.

The City of Kelowna wants you to take action and nominate volunteers, artists, businesses, athletes or athletic teams who helped make our community a great place to live.

Nomination forms are available at City Hall and on the city web site Kelowna.ca. The deadline is noon, Jan. 27.

The Civic and Community Awards Gala will be held on April 19 at the Kelowna Community Theatre. Tickets are $25.

The Gala helps us celebrate Canada’s National Volunteer Week that runs April 10 to 16. Canadians have a rich volunteering history for which we are known internationally.

You can make a difference by volunteering. Create your own volunteer profile at www.kcr.ca, and clicking on Volunteer Opportunities Search.

Dawn Wilkinson is the coordinator for the Community Information and Volunteer Centre. Go to www.kcr.ca to create your volunteer profile and find out about other volunteer opportunities in the Central Okanagan.

250-763-8008, ext 24

informkelowna@kcr.ca