Volunteers Connect met at the AGO on May 11.  Since its inception in April 2011, the group has grown from 11 member organizations to over 20 and includes a diverse set of organizations from museums, festivals, music, community and government. Semi-annual meetings help facilitate discussion about issues affecting volunteers and volunteer management.  Thirty-seven people attended the meeting in May.

TIFF, led by staff member Justin Ingraldi, presented on Creating a Diverse Volunteer Community, outlining steps they had taken to change the makeup of their volunteer group. Karen Sinotte, Harbourfront volunteer, did a follow-up presentation on how Harbourfront has modified its volunteer program in light of a volunteer survey she produced for them.  Phyllis Couzin of the AGO led a roundtable discussion on transitioning volunteers who are no longer able to perform their current placement.

There are new faces at each meeting, either due to rotating volunteer roles, new staff or new organizations.  The next meeting will be hosted by the Bata Shoe Museum in late October.

– Phyllis Couzin, Chair Volunteers Connect Comittee