ue to the Internet?s potential, previous barriers to volunteering (such as scheduling conflicts,
disability and/or remoteness) have been eliminated as a result of the flexibility, convenience and
ease of contributing via cyberspace. This new cutting edge concept, known as Virtual Volunteering,
has been successfully developed and implemented by Macdonald Youth Services (www.mys.mb.ca).
Interest in Macdonald Youth Services? (MYS) creative efforts in utilizing the Internet to attract highly skilled volunteers has come from both local and national media sources.And with a recent website posting on the National Centre for Volunteering, based in London, England, MYS? Virtual Volunteering program has garnered international attention. As the October 4, 1999 Winnipeg Free Press front page article pointed out, |
 Randy Tyler, MYS Webmaster and Volunteer Coordinator, says MYS? virtual volunteers are highly skilled & commited. MYS has taken a leadership role in recruiting highly-skilled volunteers from afar (for example, from Toronto, Texas, Florida, Quebec, California and British Columbia), via sources such as the Volunteer Opportunities Exchange (VOE) website, to enhance their programs and services. However, MYS? embracement of virtual volunteerism, where people contribute their time, talents, skills and/or experience to non-profit organizations from their home computer via the Internet, has also allowed them to attract a diverse pool of talented local online volunteers, previously untapped. Winnipeger Wade Leslie is just one example of how online volunteering can allow flexibility. |
?I thought that being a virtual volunteer would be the perfect opportunity to balance volunteering with a busy schedule.? Whether residing in Quebec, Texas, Winnipeg or the Ukraine, MYS? virtual volunteers have performed (or are performing) challenging roles such as: database developer, CGI programmer, fund development assistant, graphic designer, donor and program-based researcher, resource manual creator, website publisher and online tutor. And even though some are thousands of kilometers away, the linkage and desire to continue to help MYS, an organization they will probably never see, is still strong. ?Yes, I?m still quite willing to help you and your fine organization virtually,? said Florida-based virtual volunteer Sheri Orloff. ?It?s been an honor to serve MYS and I hope I can continue to be useful.? |
|
Escape Communications Corporation (www.escape.ca), Manitoba?s largest Internet service provider
with points of presence available to approximately 98% of the population, has continued to support
Macdonald Youth Services use of Internet technologies. With Escape?s $2500.00 donation, MYS will now have access to additional and enhanced services, including active web pages, e-mail accounts, FTP site and server space.These services will allow MYS to continue its leadership role in developing an accessible web-based resource for both MYS personal and other non-profit organizations throughout Manitoba and Canada. |