National Volunteer Week to recognize those serving at the core of community organizations

By Garrett Simmons on April 6, 2021.

Volunteers are at the core of many local organizations.
Each and every day, countless hours are sunk into worthwhile endeavours that help our communities in myriad ways.
From community groups to churches, schools and sports organizations, volunteers truly make all the difference in the world.
Take the Taber and District Soccer Association for example.
Aleah Weiss is just one of the many volunteers that helps make the association run every season. She’s been on the board for a decade, and held numerous positions over her volunteer tenure. But that’s not where her love of volunteering began.
“I was coaching before I was a board member but decided to join to help give back to the community,” she said. “I played soccer until the age of 18 and wanted to help make the sport enjoyable for everyone.”
That’s at the core of it for many volunteers — a desire to give back.
Wiess, who has been vice-president of the board four years running, knows the value of having a dedicated group of volunteers on hand to ensure every season is successful.
“I think the greatest challenge we face every year is having enough people on the board to fill roles and responsibilities,” she said. “It is a lot of work to get the season up and running and without a full board, that work usually falls on just a couple people, which can be stressful.”
It’s an old cliché but it rings true — many hands make light work. A diverse group of volunteers benefits local youth looking to have a great experience on the soccer pitch, and has its own rewards.
“The positives outweigh the challenges though,” said Weiss of the benefits of lending a hand. “It is very rewarding to be able to offer a sport at a relatively low cost so that any child of the community can play. We have our sponsors to thank for that. I truly enjoy taking in as many games as I possibly can and enjoy seeing children being active and just loving the sport like I used too.”
The soccer association has encompassed Taber and surrounding communities of Vauxhall and Bow Island throughout the years. In some of the smaller communities, finding volunteers can be challenging.  “It is really important that people get involved in these smaller communities so games and practices can be held in their towns,” said Weiss, who added currently, the association consists of a board of about 10 people, with room for more. “We have numerous positions in the soccer world that can be filled whether you have lots of soccer knowledge or none at all. We are always looking for board members and coaches.”
Several board positions are less hands on, and some duties can be fulfilled before the season even starts. Directors for the different age groups, on the other hand, are more involved throughout the season. Weiss added veteran board members are always willing to assist in any way they can.  
“Even if you are a new coach, we have people who will help you to plan for practices and we provide our coaches with a ‘coaches handbook’ full of drills and games to play with your team,” she said.
And whether it’s a sports organization or any other local group looking for a hand, the need for dedicated volunteers will always exist.
That will be highlighted April 18-24 during National Volunteer Week, especially with this year’s theme – The Value of One, The Power of Many. The theme celebrates the inspiring acts of kindness by millions of volunteers every day, and the magic that happens when we work together towards a common purpose. 
“This past year has been difficult for so many, but we have witnessed the strength and resiliency of members in our community supporting their family, friends and neighbours,” said Cindy Lauwen, Volunteer Services Co-ordinator for Family and Community Support Services. “It is through this compassion for one another where we recognize the power of people, organizations and sectors working together.”
To celebrate and recognize the individuals, groups and organizations who have given so much to our communities through volunteering, FCSS is inviting locals to nominate outstanding volunteers. Once nominated, volunteers will receive a special visit from the “A-Team” (The Appreciation Team), a group of lovely FCSS staff bearing gifts of gratitude to thank our community’s hard workers. Every volunteer who is nominated will get an appreciation package, which includes a certificate of recognition, a notebook and a pen.
Deliveries will take place between April 19-23, and all activities follow public health guidelines and will be COVID-19 safe.
“FCSS staff will also be putting together a poster kit that can easily be displayed in your organization’s windows to further help celebrate local volunteers as well as to raise awareness of National Volunteer Week,” said Weaver.  
If you or your organization would like to participate by nominating volunteers or putting up a window display, please contact FCSS Senior Services Co-ordinator Renee White at renee.white@fcss.ca or 587-370-8518 by April 9, 2021.

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