Today Red River College recognizes the work and contributions of volunteers and volunteer-involving organizations on International Volunteer Day.

“On this day, we take the opportunity to recognize volunteerism and the impact staff, students and faculty make,” said Stephanie Forsyth, President & CEO, Red River College. “Volunteer Management is not only programming offered at RRC but through College led initiatives, our team makes a difference by contributing to community through social and educational initiatives.”

RRC’s Volunteer Management Certificate program is the only one like it in Canada and follows the Canadian Administrators of Volunteer Resources (CAVR) guidelines.  The program trains students to manage and motivate groups of volunteers.  Core courses include; Recruitment and Marketing, Risk Management, Program Planning and Evaluation, Interpersonal Communication, and Working with Volunteers.  The Volunteer Management Certificate is available through distance learning, so students may enrol from anywhere in Canada to earn their certificate. It is offered through partnership with Volunteer Manitoba, Manitoba Association of Volunteer Administration (MAVA) and can be used towards a CAVR designation.  Graduates find rewarding and exciting careers in health-care, arts and culture, sports, tourism and much more

“The Volunteer Management program at Red River helped me focus on my management style and how I could apply it to organizing and maintaining a volunteer database of 250 participants,” said Kelly Seifert, Volunteer Coordinator & Facility Administration, Winnipeg Football Club. “Growing up, my parents taught me the value in helping others and I developed a passion early on for volunteering. RRC’s program allowed me to earn my certificate while working and now I enjoy a rewarding career committed to volunteerism.”

Red River College staff, students, and faculty regularly volunteer. From growing crops for the Students’ Association food bank and Winnipeg Harvest to leading the All Charities Campaign to special events for staff, students, faculty and their families, volunteers make a difference.

International Volunteer Day was established in 1985 by the UN General Assembly to be commemorated on December 5^th every year.  It is a day dedicated to celebrate volunteers and volunteer-involving organizations and what they achieve for peace and sustainable development.