Volunteer Lethbridge screening model unique in Canada

By Al Beeber - Lethbridge Herald on October 21, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com

Volunteer Lethbridge is seeking ongoing funding from the City of Lethbridge.

The organization presented a budget scenario for city council to consider during its deliberations for the 2023-26 budget cycle.

The organization, Kim Laing and Amanda Jensen told city council acting as the Economic Standing Policy Committee Wednesday, is unique in Canada in the way it connects volunteers to organizations needing people to assist them.

The SPC was told it takes three to four hours to screen one volunteer for a position. Volunteer Lethbridge takes those screening processes away from individual organizations which enables one person to be screened just once, not multiple times, streamlining the process of getting organizations the manpower they need.

The organization works with between 100-150 member non-profits in a range of segments including the arts, health and social services, sports and environment. Fees to Volunteer Lethbridge range from $75 to $500 annually based on operational budgets.

Jensen told the SPC the service offered by Volunteer Lethbridge is “revolutionary,” calling the organization “way finders.” It’s being watched provincially and nationally by others as a template.

The organization is seeking an ongoing funding arrangement with the City in the preferred range of $210,500 to $369,700 annually “for the continuation and growth of service to the non-profit sector in Lethbridge.”

“VL is in a very distinct and unique position in the community in its connection to multiple nonprofit agencies who serve multiple community needs from a breadth of areas. Those areas span the spectrum of every age and interest including arts, music, sports, environment, education, and multiple health care, wellness, and social issues. The organization is connected to provincial and federal governments. No other local organization can claim the same space for the ability to connect, converse, and collaborate,” said the report to Economic SPC.

The organization says it plays a key role in supporting community engagement and activities which enhance the sense of belonging too, and pride in, the city.

Volunteer Lethbridge, incorporated in 1986 under the Societies Act of Alberta, is governed by a 10-member board of directors.

The organization functions in the following way:

People apply to be volunteers through the organization. They meet with an advisor who helps them determine what role they are interested in, providing suggestions. Volunteers are screened only for the level needed for the type of role they want to do. Only one application is needed for opportunities so volunteers – once screened – can move through other positions without going through the intake and screening process again.

Not only does this speed up the process, organizations get volunteers who are ready to hit the ground running.

This process also reduces requests to the police for information checks.

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