Volunteer numbers have declined coming out of the pandemic, but people still want to help.
“Volunteer management professionals need to be creative in ways to engage volunteers,” said Heather Stone, president of the Barrie Association of Volunteer Administrators (BAVA).
Stone noted that people are experiencing a lack of free time, health concerns and financial burdens, all of which affect someone’s ability to volunteer
“Some people are not comfortable returning to volunteering in person yet, but we are noticing that there has been a rise in people looking to volunteer virtually," she said.
BAVA's membership includes organizations such as Gilda's Club Simcoe Muskoka, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Dress for Success, VON Canada, City of Barrie, and many more.
With many charities facing challenges attracting new volunteers to their causes, retaining existing volunteers is also becoming more and more important.
“Many volunteers have a personal connection to the cause and desire to make an impact," Stone said. "So, it’s important for them to be respected, to feel valued and to have a sense of purpose.”
Created with the goal of promoting excellence in the administration of volunteers, BAVA provides its members with advocacy, networking, communication, education, and professional development within the city of Barrie and the surrounding areas.
“Our group offers regular education on issues facing our profession, as well as a network of professionals that can offer resources and advice on how to handle problems," she added.
Stone joined BAVA about 10 years ago and has been involved in a number of roles over this time, most recently serving as president since 2021.
Stone explained that the association's members mainly look for support on personal development and help for dealing with volunteer issues.
Membership benefits include access to virtual events such as speaker series and conferences.
In a recent event, the association held an online a conference presented by Volunteer Management Professionals of Canada and Better Impact called Leveraging Technology in a Human World.
“This session focused on equipping leaders of volunteers with skills to use modern technology tools such as AI (artificial intelligence) while keeping the human aspect that is key to any volunteer program," Stone said.
A great way to support BAVA is promoting the association and volunteerism in general, she said.
“We are looking for ways to make our communities better and stronger, and working together makes that possible," Stone added.
To find out more about BAVA or to apply for membership online, visit their website at www.barrieava.com.
