A Commitment to Support

In the spring of 2004, a coalition of non-profit agencies undertook a Volunteer Services Feasibility Study for the South Georgian Bay area (Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Clearview Township and The Blue Mountains. The study was undertaken with two major assumptions.

First, there had never been a volunteer centre in the area but it was assumed that there were several volunteer administration functions that could be undertaken at a community wide level to benefit a range of non-profit organizations and individuals seeking volunteer opportunities. And second, whatever coordinated volunteer administration functions were undertaken must be sustainable over the longer term. This second assumption was based on the group's observations of the challenges faced by volunteer centres elsewhere in the rest of Ontario due to lack of on-going core funding.

Accordingly, a consultant and administrative assistant were hired to work on the following deliverables with the guidance of the project Study Group:

1. to determine the need for coordinated volunteer services in South Georgian Bay
2. to define an appropriate service solution to those needs
3. to develop a plan for sustaining such a service

A needs assessment was completed, service delivery options were developed, paired with a phased implementation and sustainability plan.

A Web based Volunteer Services Portal was seen as relatively achievable within two years, with comparatively low investment and potentially broad benefit for volunteers, organizations and the community.

Two proponents of this initial work in South Georgian Bay, Community Connection and the United Way of South Georgian Bay expanded the geographic scope of the portal, realizing the sustainability costs would be minimal and a larger region would provide broader community benefits.

The following community partners came together in 2005 with a commitment to support the development and ongoing support of the service:

Community Connection
Huron United Way
United Way of Bruce Grey
United Way of Perth County
United Way of South Georgian Bay
Bruce Grey Huron Perth Georgian Triangle Training Board

We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, an agency of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. With $100 million in annual funding from the province's charitable gaming initiative, the Foundation provides grants to eligible charitable and not-for-profit organizations in the arts, culture, sports, recreation, environment and social service sectors.