Volunteer Request Form

Whatcom Volunteer Center joins with many partners in our community to bring effective service to improve our community. We collaborate with other organizations on special projects; we bring the Human Race to the community to support nonprofits in a multi-agency fundraising event; and we join with Partner Agencies to link their volunteer needs with the individuals and groups to fulfill them.

How to Become a Partner Agency

Whatcom Volunteer Center is a one-stop center linking people of all ages who want to contribute their talent and time to help agencies meet community needs. As a comprehensive umbrella agency, Whatcom Volunteer Center currently links nearly 5,000 enrolled volunteers of all ages to more than 300 nonprofits, schools, government, and healthcare-related worksites.

Our partner agencies are 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, government agencies, or health-care related organizations (for the latter, WVC volunteers can only engage in volunteer activities that directly enhance patient services, not grounds or building maintenance or office work.) Our partner agencies engage in program activities in Whatcom County (occasionally organizations are headquartered outside of the county.) If you are interested in learning how Whatcom Volunteer Center and your agency could work together, give us a call and come in for an Memorandum of Understanding meeting (generally held twice monthly.)

Each year, Whatcom Volunteer Center volunteers record over 250,000 hours donated to non profits in our community valued at more than $5 million, according to figures published by Independent Sector. (This figure is based on the average hourly wage for non-agricultural workers listed in the Economic Report of the President with 12% added to estimate fringe benefits. The value of a volunteer was set at $20.25 per hour for 2008).

At-Will Volunteerism

Our goal is for volunteer referrals to result in a positive match for all concerned. The partner agency and/or the volunteers have the right to accept, deny, or terminate a volunteer referral at any time. While a partner agency normally terminates a volunteer only for sound and reasonable cause, they reserve the right to terminate a volunteer, with or without cause. A volunteer gives of his or her time, talent, and experience at will and may also choose to terminate service at any time; however, it is a responsibility of the volunteer to inform the partner agency in advance of the last day of service. Please notify Whatcom Volunteer Center if difficult termination situations arise and whether the partner agency or the volunteer needs assistance.

Diversity

It is a goal of the Whatcom Volunteer Center to mobilize a diverse population of volunteers and find meaningful ways for them to share their time, skills, and experience. We ask our partner agencies to consider how they may be able to utilize teams of volunteers, students, families, seniors, individuals who work during weekdays, volunteers who come from diverse ethnic backgrounds, and those with disabilities.

Memorandum of Understanding

Completing the Memorandum of Understanding assures your agency’s eligibility for services provided by Whatcom Volunteer Center. It is important so that the Whatcom Volunteer Center can assure volunteers that our partner agencies understand and have agreed to abide by the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding. Without the Memorandum of Understanding on file, we are unable to make this guarantee to our enrolled volunteers. To get your questions answered about the MOU, please call our office and sign up for an MOU meeting (generally held twice a month.)

We look forward to partnering with you to make a difference in the lives of people in Whatcom County.