CULTIVATING VOLUNTEERISM
Local Businesses Show Community Spirit at 2nd Annual Day of Caring
Caring Companies Return to The Sharing Farm
Cultivating volunteerism - get it? Because the event took place at The Sharing Farm? That's right, it's a good-old fashioned farming joke! We imagine you're laughing pretty hard right now, or at least chuckling heartily, so we'll give you a moment to catch your breath...

Ready to continue? Wonderful. That photo up there was taken on Saturday, June 8th, which, this year, happened to be the Day of Caring. It's the signature event of the Richmond Caring Companies program, a joint initiative of Volunteer Richmond, the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, and Ashton Service Group. Through a series of workshops and one-on-one consultations, the program teaches local businesses how to engage their employees by giving them opportunities to volunteer. The Day of Caring is one such opportunity. 

We'd like to thank all of this year's participating businesses and the nearly 100 employees, friends, and family members who volunteered. A huge thank you as well to The Sharing Farm for being so helpful and accommodating. Hey look - more photos!
Since we're on the topic of the Richmond Caring Companies program, we should mention that the 2013-14 campus begins in September. If you're a business owner, you can learn much more about the program and workshops on our website. If you know a business owner, please pass along the info in the previous sentence. One thing we can guarantee to prospective participants: you'll be in good company. Just take a look at that alumni list!
Great Board, or the Greatest Board?
Sure, we're a little biased, but we're leaning towards greatest. Our 2013-14 Board of Directors, elected at our Annual General Meeting on June 13, is a lean, mean governance machine. In other words, it's comprised of a diverse group of community leaders who are passionate about our organization's mission and committed to making a positive and lasting impact on Richmond. A million and one thank yous to our outgoing President, Lawrie Portigal, who, in that role, accomplished so much for Volunteer Richmond and the community as a whole, and a warm welcome to our new President, Mary Kemmis. The only thing left to ask is whether this year will be a great one, or the greatest?

Volunteer Richmond's 2013-14 Board of Directors, from left to right: Susan Hutcheon, Ray Young, Tammi Belfer (Treasurer), Bruce Rozenhart, Mary Kemmis (President), Christine Campbell, Lisa Wong, Jo-Anne Rocque (Secretary), Frances Lorenz, Lawrie Portigal (Past President), Michael Chiu, Brian Williams, Elizabeth Specht (Executive Director). Not pictured: Ryan Berger, Ed Gavsie (Vice President). Photo by Pat MacIntosh
Our first group of Community Action Ambassadors completed their training on June 3, and they're already making a pretty big impact. They've attended community centre wellness clinics and seniors celebrations like the Pink Rose Tea, educating participants on a wide range of issues related to healthy aging, including mental health and the use of alcohol and drugs. Our next round of volunteer training begins June 28, and we'd love for you to take part
Reflections on Leadership
We're just about ready to begin recruiting participants for the 2013-14 Youth Now program. Keep an eye on this page if you're interested in participating. If you'd like to first learn more about the program, however, then we recommend our Reflections on Leadership blog series, in which members of this past year's graduating class describe what it's like - and why it's awesome - to serve on a non-profit board of directors. There are nine posts so far: Alice, Chris, Cynthia, Eliana, Karen, Kevin, Melody, Michelle, and Queenie.  
Richmond Social Media Directory
Facebook, Twitter,YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Flickr, Vimeo, Pinterest, Google+: the Richmond Social Media Directory lists over 200 organizations using some combination of these services to connect to their constituents. One organization even has a Picasa account! As it stands, the Directory is about 90% complete, but that doesn't mean it isn't 110% useful! It'll be finished sometime next month, but for now, check out the latest update, which - lucky you - includes a link to the Richmond Animal Protection Society's unbearably cute Instagram feed. 
If you haven't heard, Volunteer Richmond will once again be entering the Steveston Salmon Festival Parade. For two years in a row, in 2010 and 2011, our entry won first place, victories for which credit goes to the incredible group of volunteers who marched alongside us. After taking a year off, the time has come for us to Reclaim the Crown, and we need your help. Join us on July 1 and taste the sweet nectar of victory, which, coincidentally, goes great with barbecue salmon!

Programs
Funders
  • Child Care Resource & Referral Centre
  • Information & Volunteer Centre
  • Leadership Richmond
  • Richmond Christmas Fund
  • Seniors Community Support Services
  • United Way of the Lower Mainland
  • City of Richmond
  • Province of British Columbia
  • Ministry of Children and Family Development
  • Vancouver Coastal Health
  • The Government of Canada


Opacity Design Group | The Richmond Review

Richmond Centre | The Richmond Chamber of Commerce
The Milan & Maureen Ilich Foundation | Innovation Networks
Ashton Service Group
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190 - 7000 Minoru Boulevard, Richmond, BC
604.279.7020 | www.volunteerrichmond.ca


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