Heintzman award PAGE A12
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
VCoY nominee PAGE A13
VOL. 101 NO. 64
www.quesnelobserver.com
qfsc spring gala PAGE A16
1
$ 30
PM 40005365
includes GST
Mayor in sticky situation In the spirit of fundraising, Mayor Bob Simpson allowed the public to purchase lengths of duct tape to stick him to the wall. Relay for Life youth team Fun Force used this publicity event to raise $520 towards their team effort. For more photos see PAGE A3. Autumn MacDonald photo
Volunteer Fair presents opportunities to students and the public AUTUMN MacDONALD Observer Reporter If you’re looking to get more involved in the community, look no further than the Volunteer Fair one-stop shop. Taking place this Friday (April 17) at Correlieu Secondary, the event is host to more than 25 booths promoting nonprofit organizations with volunteer opportunities. The event was spearheaded by the Volunteer Centre Steering Committee and Community Futures, with the help of a
generous donation, in an attempt to promote volunteer opportunities in conjunction with National Volunteer Week. “In 2014, Quesnel Community and Economic Development Corporation (QCEDC) surveyed many of the local non-profit organizations and found that the majority of them are struggling to retain and recruit volunteers,” said QCEDC project manager and grant writer Rhonda Gutoski. “Non-profits run with few staff, if any and tight budgets resulting in resources that are stretched
2014 Quesnel Volunteer Citizen of the Year AWARDS DINNER
April 21st, 2015 ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION Tickets on Sale at City Hall
thin. The key challenges reported from the survey were finding the time necessary to recruit, screen, train and provide appropriate recognition for volunteers. Added to this, the current volunteer base is aging and the majority of youth are not volunteering beyond their graduation requirements.” At the time of the 2014 report the local volunteer fire department had only 32 volunteers where 50 are needed, Dunrovin Park Lodge had 14 volunteers and needs 20, the Child Development Centre had 12 and needs 20,
and Search and Rescue has 30 but ideally would like to have 40. Another aspect of the survey was to determine the local interest in a Volunteer Centre. There are more than 200 volunteer centres in Canada and they are a focal point in communities to strengthen volunteering and increase citizen engagement. “Over 90 per cent of all surveys returned to QCEDC indicated an interest in using the services of a volunteer centre in Quesnel,” Economic Development Officer Amy
Good day, Quesnel. Thanks for reading — and that includes loyal subscriber L. Harrison! To join the Observer family, please call 250-992-2121 and ask for circulation.
Reid said. Respondents particularly expressed interest in a volunteer centre that would provide assistance with recruitment in general, while many specified interest in youth and other population groups. Volunteer matching, training opportunities, recognition of volunteers and further promotion and celebration of volunteerism were other areas that respondents felt a Volunteer Centre could assist in. As a result of declining volunteer numbers and the response from the survey, a steering committee was
formed made up of representatives from non-profit organizations, the city and QCEDC. This group has been meeting over the past year in efforts to a develop a strategy to make a Volunteer Centre a reality. Check out all the opportunities to volunteer Friday, April 17 at Correlieu, 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. students only, 2:30 – 5:30 p.m. open to the public. Admission is free. For additional information on the Volunteer Centre or the Volunteer Fair, call Rhonda, 250-9923522.
Visit Us Online at
www.cityfurniturecanada.com ➧
We Don’t Sell. We Help You Buy!
250-992-2229 362 Reid Street
WE DON’T
SELL WE HELP
YOU BUY
JANE SMITH 26954 3 865 SERVING
WESTERN
CANADA
Ask about our Interest Free Financing!