We are a diverse and inclusive member association strengthening and creating pathways for volunteerism and civic engagement in Alberta.
Our vision
Engaged, connected, and empowered communities building a flourishing Alberta.
Our mission
To strengthen and create pathways for volunteerism and civic engagement in Alberta.
Our values
- Collaboration: We partner for greater impact because we are stronger together.
- Integrity: We model our values and support others to do the same.
- Learning: We seek opportunities to learn with our network. We take time to reflect and apply what we learn.
- Responsiveness: We listen and respond to our networks to address emerging needs.
- Adaptability: We embrace change and adapt to positively shape the future.
- Asset-based approach: We recognize the strength and value in individuals and communities. We help communities to build on these assets.
We’re committed to helping Alberta do good, together.
Land Affirmation
Volunteer Alberta’s main office is situated on Treaty 6 Territory, specifically, amiskwaciwâskahikan (ᐊᒥᐢᑲᐧᒋᐋᐧᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ) as it is referred to by the Plains Cree peoples among other Indigenous names, and the homeland of the Métis Nation. Our staff, board, and our work reach across Treaties 4, 6, 7, 8, and 10, and we affirm that the land we call Alberta is the traditional and ancestral territory, as well as present-day homes of many Nations, including the Blackfoot Confederacy – Kainai, Piikani, and Siksika – the Cree, Dene, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux, Stoney Nakoda, the Tsuu T’ina Nation, and the Métis People of Alberta, which includes the Métis Settlements and the Six Regions of the Métis Nation of Alberta. Since time immemorial, First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples have cared for these lands, and they continue to do so today. We encourage you to visit https://native-land.ca/ to learn more about the land and its Nations where you live, work, and play.
Volunteer Alberta identifies and affirms the historical and current relationships of these Nations to the land as an act of reconciliation and with the awareness that acknowledging, recognizing, or affirming these facts is a small step and not enough. Quoting Sheila Batacharya and Yuk-Lin Renita Wong, Sharing Breath (2018):
“This recognition of land theft, while important, is discursive and thus remains limited. Indeed, our determination, as [mostly] non-Indigenous inhabitants of … Turtle Island, to respect treaty relationships and acknowledge settler responsibility for the historical appropriation of Indigenous land is inescapably compromised, given that, in Canada, land can evidently be stolen and not returned provided you admit to wrongdoing, say you’re sorry, speak solemnly about the need for reconciliation, and continue to make promises that, in fact, have never materialized.”
Volunteer Alberta is committed to reflecting on, critiquing, and changing our ways of knowing, being, and doing in order to start supporting and concretely contributing to reconciliation and Indigenous Resurgence in ways we have not yet done.
The Volunteer Alberta Team
August 2023
Our strategic priorities for 2021-2023:
Volunteer Alberta convenes networks and collaborates across sectors to nourish relationships and advance collective work. We accomplish this by:
- Strengthening and creating pathways between individuals, organizations, and sectors to enhance volunteerism and civic engagement.
- Reaching out across networks to expand the diversity of perspectives in conversations.
- Leading, partnering, and supporting collective work to advance volunteerism and civic engagement.
- Strengthening engagement with existing and prospective members.
Volunteer Alberta amplifies diverse voices to elevate the power of volunteerism and civic engagement in communities across Alberta. We accomplish this by:
- Authentically engaging diverse voices to foster inclusivity.
- Building awareness and shared understanding of the value and impact of volunteerism and civic engagement.
- Advocating for and enhancing volunteerism and civic engagement.
- Collaborating with and leveraging existing civic engagement initiatives.
Volunteer Alberta strengthens nonprofits and community capacity to engage Albertans. We accomplish this by:
- Supporting organizational and community readiness to innovate and adapt in a rapidly evolving nonprofit/voluntary sector.
- Sourcing, building, and sharing programs, tools, and resources in support of volunteerism and civic engagement.
- Increasing awareness of our programs, services, and resources among members and stakeholders.
- Strengthening our own capabilities in response to changing organizational and sector needs.
Our history
Volunteer Alberta (The Association of Volunteer Centres and Volunteer Engaging Organizations) has been a leader and voice in the nonprofit sector since 1990. Working with rural and urban communities across the province, we have grown and transformed to accommodate the ever-changing needs of the sector.
Today, we continue to represent the diverse voices of our sector. We champion and celebrate volunteer centres, volunteer-engaging organizations, volunteerism, and civic engagement in Alberta. We’re looked to for expert advice, guidance, programs, services, and resources to enhance the sector’s work.
