Volunteer Manitoba sees numerous challenges facing not for profits, ranging from funding, stability, and the proper human resources to maintain program services.

In response and with the mandate to support the non-profit sector, Volunteer Manitoba has been visiting non-profits in both urban and rural areas has been holding information sessions and workshops.

The two aspects focused on are 'Roles and Responsibilities of a Non-Profit Board,' and 'How to Attract Volunteers in the Community,' and are vital to an organization's health, explains Tracy Douglass, Training Coordinator.

"The board of directors is key to setting direction and strategic planning. If they don't have that leadership and governance, the organization may be getting off track, and they may not be meeting the needs of their clients properly. In terms of volunteer recruitment, we know our volunteers are ageing, and we need to work on recruiting the younger generation to step in and contribute to their communities."

According to Douglass, 1 in 2 Manitobans volunteer in the province, second only to Saskatchewan in Canada. Younger generations have significantly different motivations and lifestyles compared to their grandparents or great grandparents when they started volunteering.

"We need to look at how to engage volunteers who have limited time," says Douglass. "They need flexibility, and they have very different motivations. Younger people are interested in developing skills for their careers, and we need to emphasize this is a networking opportunity, there's the possibility for training and advancement, even reference letters. Those types of incentives can really motivate volunteers."

For the two presentations in Winkler, those who attended included:

Roles & Responsibilities of a Non-Profit Board:

  • Regional Connections Inc.
  • South Central Cancer Resource
  • Winkler Cheer Board
  • Eden Health Care Services
  • Flatlands Theatre Company
  • The Bunker
  • The Gardens on Tenth
  • Garden Valley School Division

It's All in the Pitch - Strategies for Volunteer Recruitment:

  • Winkler Senior Centre
  • Winkler Family Resource Centre
  • Central Station
  • Regional Connections
  • Winkler Arts & Culture

Douglass says the reception was extremely positive, and Volunteer Manitoba will continue to go out into communities to offer training.