Since COVID volunteering numbers have been down across the South Shore according to Sandra Challis who is spearheading a new program that aims to help organizations that rely on volunteers find the manpower they need.
Challis works for the MODL recreation department and regularly volunteers herself, “We’ve noticed since COVID fewer people are volunteering and we want to help bring the buzz back to it,” said Challis. “Often at volunteer award nights we see lots of the same people who help out multiple organizations but we know there are lots of groups who need more help,”.
The first step in addressing the problem is understanding it, so to that end, a survey has been launched online for groups that are seeking volunteers. “I encourage any group- big or small to fill it out, they don’t have to be a registered non-profit- it could be something as simple as a charity bridge game,” Challis said.
The survey asks questions about what each organization does, their needs if they have a board, and other relevant information that will then be used to guide the program’s next steps.
Challis says once the survey concludes (January 31) she will compile a report on its findings that will then be shared with the municipal units that have partnered with the project- which include; Mahone Bay, Lunenburg, The Region of Queens, MODL, and Chester.
After that, it will depend on how much buy-in the program has from its participants but Challis hopes to then help specific groups fill their needs, “I imagine their needs will be varied but we can help with things like social media recruiting, grant applications and things like that,”.
She hopes to one day host a volunteer day, similar to a job fair where organizations and those seeking to volunteer can meet and connect.
