Government of Yukon
News archives
FOR RELEASE #05-103
April 21, 2005
Volunteers Grow Community - April 17-23 Is Volunteer Week
WHITEHORSE - 'Volunteers Grow Community' is the theme for National Volunteer Week 2005. This year will be the biggest celebration yet, as 95 organizations from virtually every Yukon community recognize the value and dedication of Yukon volunteers.
"On top of the annual volunteer recognition, we are also celebrating a new three-year funding agreement with the department of Community Services," the Yukon Volunteer Bureau Executive Director, Tracy Erman, said. "We are very pleased to be working with the Yukon government as none of these programs or activities would be possible without their ongoing support."
"Volunteers fulfill a vital role in all Yukon communities," Community Services Minister Glenn Hart said. "Volunteers are the life-blood of many events and activities held throughout the year. We are proud to invest these funds with the Volunteer Bureau as they continue to work with other organizations towards creating healthier communities."
The funding agreement will provide $202,500 over three years to ensure a seamless budget for the Volunteer Bureau to assist the many non-government organizations who provide a diverse array of activities and events and as we lead up to the 2007 Canada Winter Games. The proposal will see the Yukon government’s contribution decline as the bureau matures.
The Yukon Volunteer Bureau is a central resource for non-profit agencies and associations as well as volunteers in the Yukon. The organization provides resources and training for organizations to help them engage and manage their volunteers, celebrates the contributions of volunteers, inspires Yukoners to continue to volunteer their knowledge and skills to the community, connects volunteers to opportunities to give their time, and develops partnerships to advance volunteerism in the community.
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Attachment: Backgrounder
| Contact: | ||
| Peter Carr | Doug Caldwell | Tracy Erman |
| Cabinet Communications Advisor | Communications Analyst | Executive Director |
| (867) 667-8688 | 867)667-8065 | Yukon Volunteer Bureau |
| peter.carr@gov.yk.ca | doug.caldwell@gov.yk.ca | (867) 456-4304 |
| terman@volunteerbureau.yk.ca |
Backgrounder
National Volunteer Week began in 1943 as a volunteer recruitment effort to enlist women for wartime voluntary service. The concept of a week devoted to volunteers was revived during the late 1960s. Now every year more than 80,000 registered charities and 100,000 not-for-profit organizations across Canada pause to thank and recognize their volunteers.
This year's activities - organized by the Yukon Local Network of the Canada Volunteerism Initiative, a national program funded by Heritage Canada and hosted by the Yukon Volunteer Bureau, were developed to provide organizations Yukon-wide with the opportunity to celebrate their most valuable resource – their volunteers.
"Taking the time to say thank you is the most important part of working with volunteers," Yukon Local Network spokesperson Moira Lassen says. "It is the key to making sure they want to come back, and that they are telling their friends that your organization is a great place to volunteer their time."
The Yukon Volunteer Bureau provides a wide range of information and management resources for organizations of every kind who depend on volunteerism. From Best Practices to training resources and a calendar of Yukon-based events, there is something for everyone who is planning an event or activity. It is also a great resource for Yukoners looking for something to volunteer their time and experience towards.
If you are looking for an event or activity that will get you out of the house and working with other community-conscious volunteers, the Yukon Volunteer Bureau has the information you need.
The Yukon Volunteer Bureau is located at 3123 - Third Avenue in Whitehorse. The bureau can be contacted by phone at (867) 456-4304 or by email at info@volunteerbureau.yk.ca.