Spring is in the air!
Dear <<First Name>>,
Welcome to the sixth issue
of “i care…i volunteer.”!
With the dust finally starting to settle from one of the busiest months for volunteerism (April), we welcome the spring with open arms. The month of May provides us with the opportunity to begin to see flowers in bloom and greener pastures, which really reminds us of how we view YOU as a volunteer.
Volunteers are very much like flowers. They need to be provided with the proper amount of water (opportunities to explore interests and passions), the warmth of the sun (guidance, leadership and support), and nourishing soil (the matching/connections that are available through our volunteer centre).
We are so pleased to be of service to the cities of Mississauga and Brampton, and the Town of Caledon, and to be able to help you grow and flourish. We truly believe that every volunteer has a unique gift that they can use to help others. It is our role to help you find that ‘perfect’ fit.
"Be like a flower and turn your face to the sun."
~ Kahlil Gibran ~
Volunteer MBC plants seeds to grow communities. We are here to help! Visit us on-line at www.volunteermbc.org to search our on-line volunteer opportunities database, or you can call our centre at 905.238.2622.
To Volunteer or Not to Volunteer...That is the Question
Written by: Adriane Beaudry, CVRM, Program Manager at Volunteer MBC
“We need your help! Volunteers are required for office positions at ABC company. Call or email for details.”
As someone looking to brush up on administrative skills to get back into the workforce, this is a tempting offer...but should it be accepted?
Ultimately, the decision is yours and may be based on your motivations and expectations for volunteering. There are different ways to get involved in the community. The way you get involved may influence if you’re going to give your time to a not-for-profit or to a for-profit company.
What’s the difference between a For-Profit and Not-For-Profit organization?
A Not-For-Profit (also referred to as a non-profit or charity) is an organization which exists for educational, humanitarian or charitable reasons. Generally, any profits raised by the organization are reinvested into the agency and community for the benefit of the community. Examples of not-for-profit or charities include churches, temples, social service agencies, sports or environmental organizations and/or government). Within a not-for-profit, volunteers play a vital role in supporting the mission of the organization, they can support staff as project managers or take on many other roles but they cannot replace staff.
For-profit companies play an important role in our community as well, selling products and services and providing employment opportunities. Profits raised however by a for-profit company are generally distributed to shareholders. Employees are hired for general staff functions (sales, marketing, human resources, accounting, etc...).
Giving your time as a volunteer, to a not-for-profit organization is highly valued and can open many doors for you.
Keep in mind before making your decision:
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More than half the not-for-profit organizations that exist in Canada operate solely through volunteers and would not exist without that support.
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Not-for-profit organizations provide many of the community services relied upon by members of the community.
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Educational placements, internships or practicums may take place at for-profit companies.
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For-profit companies, should and must hire and pay staff to deliver their services, not engage volunteers to work for free.
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Working for free at a for-profit company is not considered volunteering.
The bottom line: The decision of where you volunteer is up to you. Consider your motivations and if in doubt, call Volunteer MBC to help weigh the pros and cons and find the right fit for you.
Public Transportation for Volunteers - It's Convenient!
Did you know if you are a Brampton resident 65 years of age and older, you can pay $1 to ride Brampton Transit when you show your Brampton Transit Senior Identification card? This is a great incentive for older adults to consider volunteering in our community, especially if transportation is sometimes a challenge.
If you are new to the Peel Region, there are a number of convenient routes across the City of Brampton and Mississauga to help you get to our volunteer destination. In our on-line volunteer opportunities database (found at www.volunteermbc.org) member organizations often list the exact ‘location’ of the volunteer opportunity so that you can map out how best to arrive on time to fulfill your role.
Don’t let transportation be a challenge for you to explore volunteering. Brampton Transit and Mississauga Transit can be a great resource to help.
For more information on Brampton Transit, including real-time next bus information, visit:
www.brampton.ca/en/residents/transit/Pages/Welcome.aspx
For more information on Mississauga Transit, including an on-line trip planner, visit:
www.mississaugatransit.ca
VMBC At-A-Glance
Saturday, June 16, 2012
12Noon to 8PM
Visit Volunteer MBC @ the 5th Annual Caledon Day
Caledon Civic Campus (at Town Hall), 6311 Old Church Road, Caledon East
Saturday, June 16, 2012
11AM to 3PM
Visit Volunteer MBC @ the Dixie Bloor Neighbourhood Centre - SUMMERFEST 2012
Burnhamthorpe Community Centre, 1500 Gulleden Drive, Mississauga (at Havenwood Drive)
September, 2012 (Exact date and time to be determined)
Volunteer MBC's Caledon Centre Grand Opening
Albion-Bolton Public Library, 150 Queen Street South, Bolton
More information coming soon...stay tuned!
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