Volunteerism was top of mind for many in the community last week as Collaborate Delta hosted a Volunteer Summit.
Last Wednesday's event brought together more than 100 representatives from organizations that have a strong volunteer component with the aim of identifying challenges and brainstorming solutions. As well, participants also shared what they have learned through their own organizations and how some of those ideas could be implemented and expanded into the wider community.
"The summit was part of the journey to help Delta create its own made in Delta model of a structure for people who need volunteers and people who want to volunteer," said Donna Burke, program coordinator for Collaborate Delta.
The session included a keynote speech from former police chief Jim Cessford, a long-time volunteer who also has extensive experience working with volunteers during his time leading Delta's police department.
He spoke about the many important roles volunteers fill at the department, including those in victim services who often assist officers in notifying families when a loved one has died and help victims of crime through the court process.
"When we talk about giving volunteers simple tasks and simple jobs, that's not a simple job," Cessford said, adding volunteers help the department offer more services to the public.
"We could never afford all the services these volunteers fulfill for us."
The former chief said volunteers in any segment of the community are able to bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to an organization.
After a panel discussion featuring four experts on volunteerism, the session broke into groups where participants were able to discuss what had they had heard and generate ideas on what can work for individual organizations as well as Delta as a whole.
Ideas were shared and several participants volunteered to work with Collaborate Delta to move some of the initiatives forward.
"There is an appetite in Delta for pragmatic solutions to work more collaboratively," said Collaborate Delta president John Thornburn.
Thornburn said through discussions with over 40 Delta-based organizations, volunteerism was repeatedly an area that was pointed to as pivotal, both from the point of view as a volunteer and as one who utilizes volunteers.
Collaborate Delta recently held two volunteer fairs using a speed dating-like theme to match organizations with potential volunteers.
Thornburn added that Collaborate Delta sees itself as playing a role in bringing like-minded organizations, businesses and non-profits together to discuss ways to enhance life in Delta.
For more information about Collaborate Delta and its initiatives, or how to get involved, visit www.collaboratedelta.org.
