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Core Competencies
Excellence In Volunteerism To Build A Better British Columbia
BC volunteer centres Adopted the "4 Core Competencies"
Definition Model in September 2000, recognizing the following as
the core competencies of a volunteer centre:
1. Connect people with opportunities to serve. Volunteer centres
provide people with easy access to wide variety of opportunities
to connect to their community through service. Examples:
- Connect people to volunteer opportunities with a centralized
recruitment & referral through individual interviews, directories,
searchable database listings etc.
- Manage or promote community wide service events (make a difference
day, days of caring)
- Design programs targetted for special populations (seniors,
families, employees…)
- Involve volunteers in direct service programs of the volunteer
centres itself such as mentoring or tutoring programs
- Promote episodic and short term volunteer opportunities thru
project calendars, volunteer clubs etc.
2. Build the capacity for effective local volunteering. Volunteer
centres help agencies, business & individuals who work with
volunteers do a better job recruiting, managing & retaining
volunteers. Examples:
- Provide volunteer management training
- Share volunteer management resource information through newsletters,
libraries, on line resources
- Convene & advise professional associations of volunteer
leaders such as corporate volunteer councils, and directors of
volunteers associations
- Provide training & support for specialized groups of volunteers
such as board members
3. Promote volunteering. Volunteer centres raise awareness of the
power of service, encourage people to volunteer, provide information
about volunteerism and recognize the contribution of volunteers.
Examples:
- Initiate & support mass media campaigns to promote volunteering
- Recruit volunteers & raise awareness of volunteering through
speakers bureaus, volunteer fairs, etc.
- Create opportunities for public acknowledgement of remarkable
volunteers and volunteer teams through award programs, national
volunteer week and a variety of informal recognition efforts
- Educate policy makers and thought leaders about the importance
of volunteering
4. Participate in strategic initiatives that mobilize volunteers
to meet local community needs. VCs serve as a convenor for the community
and a catalyst for action. VCs work through local partnerships &
collaborations with business, law enforcement, schools, & community
leaders to identify needs and mobilize volunteer response. Examples
include:
- Convene or participate in collaborations to address specific
issues such as youth violence
- Implement and operate programs such as a school-based service
literacy program or a senior home repair program
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