The Perth-Huron United Way has launched a new program to make it easier for people to volunteer.
Executive Director Ryan Erb explains about 80% of the organizations in Huron and Perth are run by volunteers so they play a major role in most rural communities. But he adds the second most common reason given by people for not volunteering is no one asked them.
Erb says word of mouth isn't enough and they had to do more to get the message out. Their response was the creation of the new I-Volunteer web site that connects the people who need volunteers with people willing to donate some of their time but are looking for the right situation.
Erb adds the I-Volunteer website also provides help for volunteer coordinators who might be looking for some best practices on how to manage their volunteers. The web site is ivolunteerperthhuron.ca.
Erb says the I-Volunteer is an effective way of using technology to match organizations looking for volunteers with people would like to volunteer but haven't been asked and are looking for the right opportunity.
Funding for the I-Volunteer web site was provided through the Social Research and Planning Council and the Ontario Trillium Foundation.