The WVC offices have been abuzz with activity for the past few weeks–Project Homeless Connect is this Thursday; we’re getting the word out about the free CPR/First aid Training on March 20, our Theatre Guild fundraiser happening April 8, the Heart and Hands volunteer awards event coming up the last Sunday in April and the Human Race kickoff on April 20-22. The buzz is from the activity of the many volunteers that make up a large part of the organizing teams.

If you happen to come by to drop off Project Warm-Up items or turn in your timesheet or pick up a list of volunteer opportunities, you can feel and hear the energy coursing through the office. With the open concept of our office space, the sounds travel freely gathering strength as they are squeezed through the openings that connect the downstairs space and the upstairs entry. Talking on the phone or carrying on a conversation with walk-in clients is sometimes a challenge. But it’s exciting to observe the creativity and exuberance coming from the volunteers that freely give of their time for a common cause. Last week we had four volunteers at our front desk, WWU students making signs and posters for Project Homeless Connect, a senior volunteer fixing our bathroom faucet, a volunteer sending out thank you cards to Human Race donors, another volunteer working on improving our volunteer database, a board meeting with 10 volunteer board members, two Chore interns making calls and scheduling clients with volunteers, an event intern working on Project Homeless Connect, our AmeriCorps VISTAs, Randi and Rebecca, working on Project Homeless Connect and the Virtual Furniture Bank (House2Home)–AND a partridge in a pear tree.

I just want to thank all the volunteers who show up and work hard to make our events and our lives easier. And, for those agencies that haven’t successfully been able to utilize volunteers in their programs–do we have help for you. The first Friday of every month we have a Volunteer Roundtable at our office. It’s open to anyone who manages or is planning to manage volunteers for their agency. There is a presentation by one of the attendees and lively discussion. We also have Volunteer Management 101 trainings that include attracting and hiring the perfect volunteer to volunteer retention and recognizing volunteers.

Anyone interested in learning more about any of these events or trainings should contact WVC at 360-734-3055 or info@whatcomvolunteer.org.