What's New > Celebrating Volunteers
Celebrating FST volunteers
Dear FST Volunteers,
National Volunteer Week is an annual event recognizing the millions of Canadians who generously donate their skills, energy and time to make a difference in their community. Celebrated across Canada from April 19 to April 25, 2009, this year’s theme is “volunteers. from compassion to action”. It emphasizes the passion that you and our other volunteers bring to the work you do at Family Service Toronto to help us fulfill our mission to strengthen individuals, families and communities.
Although National Volunteer Week runs for only one week during the year, our appreciation and commitment to our volunteers is ongoing. As a reflection of this commitment, in March 2009 we conducted a survey of our volunteers to ensure that their experience at FST is a positive one. Responses to our survey will help us identify areas where we are doing well and where there is room for improvement. The survey results will be consolidated into a report that will be made available in late spring 2009, and will be used as a tool to help us shape our volunteer program. To request a copy of the report, please contact Liz Holmes, Coordinator of Research and Evaluation. Liz can be reached by phone at 416-595-9230 ext. 290 or by email at lizho@familyservicetoronto.org.
Through the process of re-accreditation this year, we are pleased to be able to demonstrate our commitment to volunteerism at FST through the review and revision of our volunteer policies and procedures. This process will help us to ensure that our volunteers have a positive experience at FST and that our volunteer program meets the standards of excellence for which we are known. We are also working to ensure that our practices adhere to the Canadian Code for Volunteer Involvement which outlines the values, principles and standards for effective volunteer engagement. Copies of our new volunteer policies and procedures as well as the Code will be made available to our volunteers as part of our commitment to keep you informed about our volunteer program.
As an expression of our gratitude for your volunteer service, we have sent you a certificate recognizing your contribution to Family Service Toronto. We hope it will serve as a reminder that your support truly makes a difference.
Thank you, FST Volunteers, for sharing your talents and time with us, and for your dedication to FST and the people of Toronto.
Best wishes,
Margaret Hancock, Executive Director and Harlan Schonfeld, President, Board of Directors
