National Volunteer Week
Dear staff/volunteers,
This week we honour National Volunteer Week and the 10th Anniversary of the United Nations International Year of the Volunteer. Throughout the year, as I travel across the country meeting with volunteers and staff, I am constantly reminded of the critical and difficult work carried out by volunteers every day and of the value and importance of the volunteer/staff partnership at the Canadian Red Cross.
National Volunteer Week is a time for all of us at the Canadian Red Cross to say a special Thank You to the tens of thousands of volunteers of all ages, backgrounds and experiences from coast to coast who donate their time and energy to improve the lives of vulnerable people in Canada.
Volunteers are engaged in all aspects of the Society including
- Front line client service in local offices all across Canada and in our Community Health programs such as HELP, Seniors Services, Transportation and more;
- Disaster Response including hundreds of hours of personal disaster assistance responses at all hours of the day and night. 2010 and early 2011 has also clearly demonstrated the importance of having both experienced well trained disaster volunteers as well as surge volunteers to respond to larger scale Canadian disasters such as the significant flooding in Western and Atlantic Canada and in the Gaspésie, and Hurricane Igor - the most destructive hurricane on record to hit Newfoundland;
- Detention Monitoring volunteers who visit detention centres on a regular basis and raise issues and any concerns about detention conditions directly with the detaining authorities as a neutral, independent body, in keeping with our status as a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement;
- RFL volunteers who help people in Canada re-establish contact with immediate family members after separation due to armed conflict, natural disaster, migration and other humanitarian crises;
- Violence & Abuse Prevention volunteers focusing on promoting healthier relationships andsafer communities through education. Injury Prevention volunteers who support the development of our world-class programs in first aid and water safety and, in some areas, deliver first aid services at community events;
- Board, Council and Committee volunteers who spend countless days, evenings and weekends ensuring the Society is well governed;
- And, of course, the thousands of volunteers who help raise money to support the work of the Canadian Red Cross at home and around the world not only during major appeals but on a day to day basis.
The strength of the relationship between volunteers and staff is one of the most unique and important measures of success for any non-profit organization. I believe the Canadian Red Cross is a leader in this area and will only continue to grow stronger. Over the past three years, I have been sharing my vision of One Red Cross. I can think of no better example of this vision than the power of volunteers and staff working side by side to carry out our mission.
Thank you to everyone who gives so generously of your time and talents.
Happy Volunteer Week!
Sincerely,
Conrad Sauvé
You Make the Difference – Support Our Volunteers
The Canadian Red Cross is ready to respond anytime, anywhere, thanks to our vast network of over 30,000 dedicated volunteers. Help our volunteers continue their vital work, please donate to the Canadian Red Cross Fund today.
