Media Releases 2007

VOLUNTEER ABBOTSFORD LINKS WITH VOLWEB.CA™ TO MAKE IT EASIER TO VOLUNTEER

Abbotsford, B.C. (November 5, 2007): Volunteer Abbotsford and the Abbotsford Spirit of BC Community Committee are partnering with 2010 Legacies Now and Volunteer BC to increase access to volunteer opportunities for residents who want to contribute to their community.

"Many people want to give back to their community and gain valuable volunteer experience, but they’re restricted by their schedule or unsure of where to find out about opportunities," said Christine Wiebe, president of the Abbotsford Spirit of BC Committee. "Our new volunteer opportunity listings, made possible by our partnership with 2010 Legacies Now’s VolWeb.ca, will make it easier for people to find a position that’s right for them.

"Volunteer Abbotsford has also partnered with the Fraser Valley Volunteer Support Network," continued Wiebe, "allowing them to have access to expertise in training and volunteer resources."

VolWeb.ca™, 2010 Legacies Now’s free volunteer recruitment website designed to connect volunteers with event organizers across B.C., is now hosting and providing added capacity for Volunteer Abbotsford’s opportunity listings. Using a VolWeb.ca recruiting tool called the Volunteer Centre Opportunity Listings Tool, Abbotsford’s community partners can list a new volunteer position, change information on a posting or delete positions that no longer need filling – all online, quickly and easily.

For potential volunteers, the online system will provide the most up-to-date information and enable them to conduct a search – for ongoing, short-term or event-based opportunities - based on their interests and availability.

"Through our partnerships with leaders in B.C.’s voluntary sector and the provincial government, we are working to increase volunteer involvement for organizations reliant on volunteers," said Bruce Dewar, CEO of 2010 Legacies Now. "VolWeb.ca’s Volunteer Centre Opportunity Listings Tool is helping volunteer centres to serve their community by matching volunteers with local organizations."

2010 Legacies Now and Volunteer BC are working together to ensure volunteer centres have access to the Volunteer Centre Opportunity Listings Tool. As outlined in a memorandum of understanding signed by the two organizations, Volunteer BC is now responsible for the promotion and delivery of this tool to new or existing volunteer centres throughout B.C.

"Volunteer BC is thrilled at the opportunity to partner with VolWeb.ca and Volunteer Abbotsford," said Heather Fleming, Volunteer BC’s managing director. "This partnership will bring what we believe is an innovative tool to the community of Abbotsford to increase and expand connections between potential volunteers and community organizations."

Abbotsford’s online opportunity listings are now live with approximately 20 positions such as therapy dog volunteer for St. John Ambulance and recreation volunteer for the Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association. All of these volunteer opportunities and more can now be found at www.AbbotsfordSpiritofBC.com. VolWeb.ca originally launched this service for volunteer centres in August 2006, with Volunteer Victoria as the pilot user. Since that time, Volunteer Victoria’s volunteer opportunities database has received more than 100,000 page views.

"This is a great opportunity to make volunteering easier to access for people in Abbotsford, which in turn is great for the community," said Abbotsford-Mount Lehman MLA Mike de Jong. "When people give back to the community, everyone benefits."

"Abbotsford has such a generous spirit and this will allow even more people to pitch in and volunteer their time," said John van Dongen, Abbotsford-Clayburn MLA. "Our government is pleased to support such a wonderful initiative."

Abbotsford residents interested in volunteering at local events, like festivals or sport tournaments, can also search for volunteer opportunities at www.VolWeb.ca. Registration is fast and easy, and VolWeb.ca enables potential volunteers to connect with event organizers in Abbotsford and in communities across British Columbia.

2010 Legacies Now is a not-for-profit society that works in partnership with community organizations, non-government organizations, the private sector and all levels of government to develop sustainable legacies in sport and recreation, arts, literacy and volunteerism. 2010 Legacies Now actively assists communities to discover and create unique and inclusive social and economic opportunities leading up to and beyond the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. For more information please visit www.2010LegaciesNow.com.

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Media Contacts:

Christine Wiebe
President
Abbotsford Spirit of BC Community Committee
Ph: 604.850.8657

Natasha Vander Wal
Manager, Communications
2010 Legacies Now
Ph: 778.327.5189
Cell: 778.840.5189

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