In 2012 NexusBC Volunteer Services, formerly the Vernon and District Volunteer Bureau, was approached by several professionally skilled volunteers who recognized that they had knowledge and expertise that could benefit the non-profit sector. Thus the Specialist Volunteer Program was established.
White collar and blue collar specialists come together as a team of experts to offer advice, cost estimates, strategic plans and solutions to projects that will afford the non-profit agencies the ability to strengthen delivery of their community services.
The specialist volunteers are informed of upcoming projects through a monthly newsletter circulated by NexusBC Volunteer Services. Volunteers who have the needed skills step forward to assist the non-profit agency.
NexusBC Volunteer Services currently has 40 skilled individuals who have volunteered for this program. Skills range from accounting to construction and architecture, from marketing to information technology.
“There is a huge range of needed skills,” says Thomas Johansen, program coordinator. “We presently have five pilot projects in progress.”
The committee that undertakes the work of meeting with the agencies, writing and circulating the newsletter to the volunteers of the Specialist Program are themselves volunteers.
“Were it not for the help and dedication of people like Thomas and our volunteer committee, this program would not be operational,” says Twylla Genest, manager of NexusBC Volunteer Services. “It has been in the plans for several years to establish a specialist program and it is very satisfying to see it finally happening.”
For more information about the program, contact Johansen or Genest at 250-545-0585 or e-mail volunteers@nexusbc.ca.
