Squamish鈥檚 Carol Coffey seems to have inherited the giving gene.聽
She volunteers for the SPCA and her day jobs are working for 麻豆社国产Helping Hands Society and the Community Foundation of Whistler.聽
鈥淚 think it probably comes from my parents,鈥� Coffey said. 鈥淲e were always actively involved in different things.鈥澛�
Coffey also founded the 麻豆社国产Nonprofit Network, a collective for corridor not-for-profit groups.聽
鈥淎s non-profit organizations we should meet periodically and talk about ways that we can work together and create a bit of a support network,鈥� said Coffey while sipping coffee on a rare break from her many roles last week. 鈥淭here are often organizations that have really small staff or in some cases half a staff鈥� and it is helpful to be able to have that peer network that you can go to for ideas and support.鈥�
Coffey said another reason for the collective is to help combat volunteer burnout 鈥� 鈥渃reating that support network for non-profits, because I have been in that position where you feel kind of alone,鈥� Coffey said. She hopes the network can garner some grant money to put on a workshop about self-care and compassion fatigue for those who volunteer and work in non-profits.
After forming about a year and a half ago, members have organized several workshops, such as one on the new B.C. Societies Act.聽
Fellow network member David Thomson said the workshop is an example of the work the network does well. A charity lawyer was brought in to talk about the act to all members. 鈥淚nstead of each charity paying the money to bring this lawyer into town, the 麻豆社国产Non-profit Network has allowed it to be a one-stop shop,鈥� he said. Groups from Whistler and the North Shore joined with 麻豆社国产groups for the workshop.聽
The network has 30 groups so far and on average, between 12 and 20 representatives show up to the once-a-month lunch meetings, Thomson said.聽
He hopes the network can make things more efficient for all the groups. 鈥淭here are limited funds available and there are limited people available and there is volunteer burnout,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hy don鈥檛 we become as efficient as possible and work together? We are not competing against each other.鈥澛�
For example, Test of Metal, which is in its final year, have many items used for the race, such as cones, generators, tables and chairs. 鈥淣ow maybe there is an opportunity for [the network] to take ownership of this material and become like a strata of the shared equipment,鈥� said Thomson. 鈥淪o now those individual charities鈥� don鈥檛 have to pay for it anymore.鈥澛�
Mayor Patricia Heintzman proclaimed April 10-15 National Volunteer Week in 麻豆社国产at a recent council meeting, and the collective has plans to celebrate.
An open house is planned for Sunday, April 10 at the 麻豆社国产Adventure Centre, where non-profits will recognize current volunteers and recruit new ones. On the Tuesday, a private movie social for volunteers will be held, and Friday will feature a breakfast with Heintzman focused on volunteerism at the 麻豆社国产Public Library. For more information, go to .
