Happy New Year everyone and welcome to 2026.
The United Nations has declared 2026 the International Volunteer Year (IVY26). It has been 25 years since the last year designated to celebrate volunteerism. We are grateful to and for volunteers daily in our lives. It is nice to know that others across the world value this, too often underappreciated, contribution to society.
The other day I was reading an article which implied that a sense of service to cause or country is a dying concept. I disagree. Daily we at Volunteer Waterloo Region see the impact that volunteers are making through their service to causes for which they have a passion. Yes, post-covid volunteering rates in Canada and in Waterloo Region have declined dramatically. The way organizations deliver programs is evolving and where and how volunteers can be the most effective is adjusting.
Volunteers are also changing how they engage. The historical image of envelope stuffing and 4-hour shifts either to deliver programming or assist in an office are not always appealing and quite honestly rarely a reality. In recent years we in the charitable and nonprofit sectors are not doing a great job of aligning messaging with the new reality and as such, some who want to serve are not finding their place to contribute and belong.
IVY26 presents an opportunity for all of us to find the best way to engage and contribute to a positive community. In his announcement to the UN, Secretary-General António Guterres’ shared
“In an era of political division and social isolation, volunteering offers a powerful way to forge connections and foster our shared humanity. This year’s theme, “Every Contribution Matters”, reminds us that everyone has something meaningful to offer, and that every cause, from hunger to climate to humanitarian action, benefits from the enthusiasm and expertise of volunteers.”
Volunteer Canada is taking this time to help Volunteer Centres and voluntary organizations across the country ‘Ignite Volunteerism’. Their goal is to reinvigorate engagement across our country.
Here at Volunteer Waterloo Region we are joining the movement to celebrate the wonderful volunteers who are contributing to our community every day and to encourage everyone to contribute. If you check out the volunteer positions on the volunteer page of our website, you will begin to see the breadth of opportunities and ways you can fit in. AND…these positions change and are updated daily so if you can’t find a role today, please don’t give up. There is a role out there for Every Contribution to Matter.