Voluntary Resource Council

It is with great pleasure that we announce the hiring of our new Executive Director, Keyshawn Bonamy.

Keyshawn comes to us after a year of much change at the VRC, and we are confident that, with his enthusiasm and appreciation of the voluntary sector in PEI, he will guide us competently into the future. We can’t wait for all of you to meet him, feel his positive energy, and chat with him about your involvement in the community – he is keen to meet you all! Keyshawn starts his new position on Monday, May 31.

Keyshawn takes over from our acting ED Vanessa Bradley, who is leaving us on Thursday, May 27. Vanessa, without hesitation, jumped on board after the resignation of our previous ED Becky Mullen, and has done an admirable job steering our ship over the past month and a half. The VRC Board is immensely grateful to Vanessa for that. Vanessa, first together with Becky and then alone, was great at organizing and putting structures and procedures into place so that, at this point, she is handing over a robust organization that we can all be proud of. Thank you Vanessa.

On behalf of the VRC Board,
Simone Webster-Stahel
Board President

We have an exciting update here at the Voluntary Resource Centre – we now have a bookable common office!

The office (#9, which is in the upstairs of the VRC) is available Monday – Friday for any VRC member who would like to book it. There are two desks available.

If you would like to be added to the calendar in order to book the office, please contact us at 902-368-7337 or send an email to admin@vrcpei.org.

We’re hiring! The Voluntary Resource Council is looking for an Executive Director. Apply by sending a resume and cover letter to bod@vrcpei.org.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Voluntary Resource Council is looking for an Executive Director with a heart for the non-profit sector, keen administrative abilities, and strong communication skills to oversee the operations of the Voluntary Resource Centre (VRC).  The VRC is a hub of activity where members of the voluntary sector can access information and affordable services.  The Executive Director is responsible for the provision of services as well as for creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all folks connecting with the Centre. 

The work:

• Provide administrative services for member organizations
• Communicate regularly with board members, member organizations, and media
• Collaborate on projects with partner organizations
• Manage finances (budget, payroll, deposits, payments)
• Oversee social enterprise operations (Escape Rooms)
• Support fundraising efforts and prepare grant applications

Requirements:

• University/college diploma (preferred) or comparable skills and experience
• Extensive experience in the non-profit sector in a manager role (preferably 5+ years)
• Expertise in organizational management and staff supervision
• Networking skills for creating active co-operation among stakeholders
• Basic knowledge of financial management and managing an organizational budget
• Expertise in word processing
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Skills in communication and program evaluations
• Understanding of and commitment to social equity and issues facing VRC members
• Fluency in French and/or other languages an asset

Hours & Salary: 

37.5 hours/week with an annual salary of $ 42,900 – $48,750 (to be determined based on experience)

Application:

Full job description available here. Interested individuals should provide a cover letter and resume outlining all relevant training and experience.  Applicants are asked to fully explain each item. It is preferable that applicants provide dates and contact information of past employers to permit verification. Two references are required. 

Closing Date:

Submit applications by email to BOD@vrcpei.org. Applications will be reviewed as they are received up until 4pm on April 30, 2021.

The Voluntary Resource Council has had the very good fortune to have had Becky Mullen as our Executive Director for the past year. Sadly for us, Becky is leaving the VRC at the end of next week – her last day with us will be Friday, April 16.

This has been such a demanding year, for everyone, the VRC included. COVID-19 forced us to change the way we offer services and supports to our members, often requiring lightning-quick responses and creative problem-solving. Becky has skillfully and confidently navigated through this tumultuous time. She has developed new partnerships, successfully managed several new projects, and streamlined and enhanced our communications and information-sharing processes. In short, she leaves her position having contributed significantly to our organization, putting us in a stronger position to fulfill our mandate into the future.

While we are saddened by Becky’s departure, we are extremely grateful and we share her excitement for her new position. We are especially happy to know that she will continue to participate in the community sector and that she will still have connections to the VRC.

We are also grateful to Vanessa Bradley, who for the past 5 months has been efficiently and gracefully working as Administrative Assistant, and will step into the role as Acting Executive Director until a permanent replacement for Becky is found.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Simone Webster-Stahel
Board President

Due to our inability to hold the 2020 Outstanding Volunteer Awards as a result of COVID-19 and the global pandemic, we are highlighting our 2021 nominees here! We are thankful for all of our incredible volunteers across our community.

Alice Atkinson

Sierra Club Canada Foundation –
Wild Child PEI

Alice has been volunteering with Wild Child PEI for two years now and has provided so much support, creativity, and care to the kids in the program. Alice is a kind and compassionate volunteer who is dedicated to sharing her love of nature with children through countless hours outside, rain or shine. Her enthusiasm, positive attitude, reliability, and skill-set are a cherished and valuable component of our programs, and her ability to nurture and encourage kids through challenges and difficulties is incredible. Thank you so much, Alice! 

Julie Ann Gauthier

PEIBWA, CCTP, Empower PEI

Julie Ann has made a large impact on a lot of entrepreneurs’ lives through the many associations she volunteers for. She is motivated and innovative with her methods and is a strong, positive leader. Her eagerness makes sure work gets down and any group she volunteers with excels with her assistance.

Aaron MacIsaac

Football PEI

In his very 1st year as president of Football PEI, Aaron helped lead football to two football seasons, flag and tackle, and Football PEI is the only Football organization in Canada that can say that!

Additionally, they are also the only Football organization to finish a tackle football season in Canada.

Jill O’Halloran

Central Coastal Tourism Partnership (CCTP)

Jill is currently the longest volunteer on the CCTP board!

She dedicated many hours of her time to help tourism operators within the central coastal region, something that is crucial with the implications of COVID-19.

Thank you, Jill, for your dedication!

PEI Fight for Affordable Housing

The organizers and volunteers of PEI Fight for Affordable Housing have donated countless hours to help build a movement and increase tenants rights in PEI.

We want to recognize our outstanding community volunteers! Do you know a volunteer who deserves to be recognized? Nominate them here.

Deadline to submit is Friday, February 19!

This week, the VRC is working on a big change – we have new email addresses! You can now contact Becky Mullen, our Executive Director, at executivedirector@vrcpei.org, and Vanessa Bradley, our Admin and Communications Officer, at admin@vrcpei.org.

The Voluntary Resource Council’s newsletter has undergone some changes! We are creating our monthly newsletters in a new way, which we hope will make the newsletter more user friendly.

You can view and subscribe to our monthly newsletter here.

The Voluntary Resource Centre will be closed from December 25 – January 3.

Regular hours (9am – 4pm, Monday – Friday) resume on Monday, January 4!

While the VRC is closed, members with keys are welcome to let themselves in to work or to check mail. We will be checking the secure, locked drop box several times throughout the week! We look forward to working with you and serving you in 2021!

Due to the latest update regarding COVID-19 restrictions on PEI, the Voluntary Resource Centre will be opening our doors again! This week, we are open 9am – 4pm, Monday through Thursday, as we are closed for Christmas.

The board room can accommodate meetings of four people as long as everyone is masked and proper social distancing protocols are in place.

Our COVID-19 restrictions are currently as follows:
– Masks are required at all times inside the VRC
– Please sanitize your hands on entry
– Maintain a six foot distance between others when possible  

Thank you for your assistance in keeping us all safe and healthy!