Volunteer Victoria is proud to have a large roster of volunteers helping in our community. We recently sat down with three volunteers in leadership positions to ask about their experiences with volunteering on a board of directors and how they are looking to expand diversity on these boards.
Debbie Chabot
Why do you choose to volunteer in a leadership position on a board of directors?
I have been raised with a heart for service, so I volunteer in a variety of ways in the community from handing out food to helping organize and run fundraising events to having a position on non-profit boards like Volunteer Victoria. I have usually been recruited to boards for a skill that I have to offer that they need added to their board, such as marketing/communications. There have been times in my professional career that I haven’t had roles that used my business skills, so I’ve purposely taken these board leadership volunteer roles to keep my mind busy and skills up-to-date.
What would you say are the benefits to being involved at the board level?
Taking a leadership role allows me to support the organization in a broader sense. I find that board work helps ensure the continuance of important services in the communities that I live and work and play in.
Do you feel that your board is diverse and representative of the community that it serves?
In some ways, absolutely. We have both youthful and young at heart members. We have members from private and public sectors, non- and for-profit and of different genders. Where I think all boards would benefit is from having a youth representative. If all boards currently recruited a youth representative this would give valuable development opportunities for the next generation of board members.
What actions have been taken to recruit diverse members?
We use skills matrix to ensure that we are filling in any gaps. Then we try to take a hard look at where the non-skills related gaps are and try to recruit for those. It’s an ongoing and critical process that most boards have to work through each year.
Darryl Hol
Why do you choose to volunteer in a leadership position on a board of directors?
It’s a great way to have a role in determining the strategic direction and ultimate success of an organization that I care about. I try to balance volunteering on a board with other more “hands on” volunteering opportunities because I find a lot of value in both.
What would you say are the benefits to being involved at the board level?
As a board member, you can learn valuable skills such as strategic planning or financial oversight. It is also an opportunity to meet other active and engaged members of the community who bring their own unique skills and experiences to the board. I would say the work is always interesting, and it is rewarding to help an organization flourish.
Do you feel that your board is diverse and representative of the community that it serves?
I appreciate that our board has a diversity of experiences, as folks bring different perspectives and expertise to the issues we are discussing. That said, our board has identified that we would like to become even more diverse so that we are truly reflective of the community.
What actions have been taken to recruit diverse members?
We recently struck up a subcommittee to look at how we can attract and recruit diverse candidates for the board ahead of our next AGM, which will likely be early in the fall. If you or someone you know is interested in promoting and growing volunteerism in Greater Victoria, please reach out to Volunteer Victoria!
Julia Dawson
Why do you choose to volunteer in a leadership position on a board of directors?
I chose to volunteer on the board of directors at Volunteer Victoria because of the work they do to inspire and empower volunteerism. The Volunteer Victoria website is a central hub for connecting those who seek to volunteer with organizations looking for people to serve. This service is easy to use and allows volunteers to hone in on their particular area of interest, while benefiting the non-profits who have their opportunities and needs highlighted to a larger audience.
Additionally, Volunteer Victoria has an exceptional education program helping volunteer managers develop their skills. When I moved into my volunteer management career nearly 15 years ago, I had the opportunity to take the “Foundations in Volunteer Management” course from Volunteer Victoria. This course helped me better understand the principles and best practices of volunteer management and also connected me with other leaders in the field. Over the years I’ve taken many additional workshops and participated in peer development facilitated by the Vol Vic team. So, when the opportunity to give back by joining the board was available, I jumped at the chance. I have continued to learn and grow through my participation on the board.
What would you say are the benefits to being involved at the board level?
Being involved in the board has provided growth opportunities in seeing the “back end” of a charitable organization and the complex considerations involved in not-for-profit leadership. I’ve been exposed to and involved in a whole gamut of learning opportunities, including strategic planning, grant writing, financial reports (although these still baffle me at times!), leadership, committee work, planning for organizational resilience through and beyond COVID and much more. I have also benefited from meeting fantastic people on the board and through other Volunteer Victoria events.
Do you feel that your board is diverse and representative of the community that it serves?
Volunteer Victoria is committed to creating a diverse board. As a whole, the board and Volunteer Victoria staff team create a welcoming and safe space of equity and dignity, and this is evidenced in the respect shown at every meeting, educational session or event I have attended.
What actions have been taken to recruit diverse members?
As board member recruitment needs arise, a committee on the board activates, with the focus on recruiting people with different lived experience, culture, values, beliefs and skills to enhance the Volunteer Victoria team.
