AVRBC Administrators of Volunteer Resources BC

Universally, people recognise the contribution of volunteers - in sport, health, emergency services, faith communities and the environmental lobby ... in fact volunteers are involved in just about every aspect of service delivery in all walks of life.

However, volunteering does not succeed in a vacuum. Behind this army of volunteers lies an equally dedicated group of individuals and agencies who are responsible for the coordination, support, training, administration and recruitment of the world's volunteers - skilled professionals who are adept at taking singular passion and turning it into effective action.

That is why we celebrate International Volunteer Managers Day every year on November 5.

The words above were taken from the International Volunteers Managers Day Home page. To read more, check out the website at http://www.volunteermanagersday.org.
 
I have had many discussions with colleagues around the idea of celebrating ourselves on this day. Some folks believe its "self serving". Some folks believe we should be shining the light on volunteers, rather than ourselves. Others look at IVMD as a way to celebrate the profession and the valuable contribution we make to the voluntary sector, similar to recognizing other professions such as nurses during Nursing Week, Teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week, and Secretaries during Administrative Assistants Day. Within my hospital, we celebrate a discipline almost every week. From Social Work week, Physiotherapists week, Respiratory week, we celebrate with photos, cookies and coffee and table displays. Why not celebrate a Volunteer Managers Day?
 
I encourage each of you on November 5th to celebrate and be proud of the valuable work you do as Administrators of Volunteer Resources. Each of us know that "volunteers don't just happen" and that our role is pivotal to creating well run, organized and supportive volunteer programs.
 
Our recent AVRBC Conference theme was "Powerful Beyond Measure". We are truly that on November 5th, and all year long.
 
Sandra Palmer
President
AVRBC