Hear directly from Pillar's Youth Engagement Coordinate
and a panel of young people who volunteer!
Nonprofit organizations across the country are struggling with a shortage of volunteers, and many have had to reduce services as a result. In the context of the ongoing pandemic, many long-time volunteers have not returned to their old roles, and organizations are having difficulty attracting new volunteers to replace them. Nonprofits are reporting that staff are working more hours to take on work normally done by volunteers, and that the volunteer shortage is contributing to employee burnout. We also know that 58% of charities (and many more nonprofits) have no paid staff at all and rely completely on volunteers.
Social, economic, and generational trends will likely always affect how individuals volunteer, and the pandemic has significantly disrupted how organizations can attract, engage, and retain qualified volunteers. But, as Volunteer Canada CEO Megan Conway has written, “At our core, we are a nation of givers who will get creative when more traditional paths are not available." One way to “get creative” is to revisit the potential to attract and engage a new generation of volunteers – on their terms – and to cultivate practices that continue to attract and engage young volunteers.
Why should this matter to you and your organization?
- Volunteers are increasingly harder to engage
- Knowing that many long-term volunteers are not returning, attracting and maintaining youth volunteers has never been more important
- Young people have been under-engaged in volunteerism, and possess an enormous potential that has yet to be fully realized
- Young people bring energy, wisdom, and innovation if we know how to engage them
Now is the time to be thinking about and acting on youth engagement. How can you engage youth when there isn’t much recent data or research regarding volunteer engagement with youth? You start by learning how to best engage youth volunteers by hearing directly from young people.
At this workshop, you will learn more about:
- Current volunteerism landscape and some specific challenges in London
- Trends and issues and how understanding trends can help us make informed choices about volunteer program innovations and opportunities
- Tips on engaging, retaining, and working with youth volunteers by hearing directly from a panel of youth
LEVEL: Beginner
WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Anyone who engages and supports volunteers and also individuals who want how to better engage young people, this could include volunteer manageers, individuals planning events, and/or fundraising professionals.
ABOUT THE PRESENTERS:
Aditi Basdeo, Youth Engagement Coordinator, Pillar Nonprofit Network
Aditi leads with her heart, from her very first step into the social innovation sector she has pulled on her personal story and challenges as motivators to move beyond the status quo. In 2018, Aditi founded Champions of Change Canada; a nonprofit that focuses on raising awareness for gender equality by empowering youth to lead community-centric fundraisers and campaigns. At Champions Aditi held many roles, from resourcing to marketing but closest to her heart is the role she held as a mentor for young people in her community. Through founding Champions, Aditi realized her passion for designing and building solutions. In her spare time, Aditi can be found at the gym, adventuring in nature with friends, enjoying the sunlight, and in awe of all puppy owners (she really wants one).
Paul Seale, Manager, Public Policy, Advocacy, and Impact, Pillar Nonprofit Network
Paul identifies as an advocate for belonging, seeking opportunities for people to become more engaged in public life, improve their wellbeing, and help to build more inclusive and equitable communities. Paul puts community development practices at the core of his work, convening the region’s volunteer-involved organisations for the London Community Recovery Network, and spearheading Project 51 London, Pillar’s voter engagement initiative for organisations serving young people, newcomers, and low-income earners. An active community practitioner in his spare time, too, Paul’s the founder or co-founder of The London Tweed Ride, the Boyle Musical Theatre Program for Young People, and 123London.
Thank you to our 2023 Learning & Development Sponsors:
Western Continuing Studies and Fanshawe Employment and Student Entrepreneurial Services/Corporate Training Solutions
