The Northern Lights Health Foundation was established in 1985 as the lead non-profit fundraising organization to support Alberta Health Services in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. The Northern Lights Health Foundation connects people with the opportunity to have a direct and positive impact on health care in their community.
Today, our spotlight shines on Gayle Phillps, who uses VolunteerSpot to coordinate it's many volunteers who help out with various events.
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Please tell us about your event and your volunteer needs.
The Festival of Trees is an annual three-day event that kicks off the holiday season, with uniquely decorated Christmas trees, great entertainment, family fun, an elegant gala and wonderful opportunities to get into the holiday spirit and support our local health care. Our annual special events depend on generous community minded individuals and groups who graciously give their time, some year after year, to these worthy events. The 2011 Festival of
Trees alone took approximately 360 volunteers putting in over 2,800 hours.
How did you get started as a volunteer leader?
I’ve been a resident of Fort McMurray since 1999, raising my family here. Having children, you fundraise for and support their activities all the time! I am involved in different volunteer opportunities such as serving on boards and volunteering at events or organizations. Volunteering is a way of giving back to and supporting my community. In my role as Director of Development at the Northern Lights Health Foundation, I really just volunteered to lead volunteer recruitment. We have four fundraising events each year, none of which would be possible without the time and support of our volunteers.
What’s one piece of advice you have for volunteers or their leaders out there?
Volunteering is so important in any community. Many non-profit organizations rely on volunteers not only for special events, but for program delivery. Volunteers donate their time, the most valuable asset that one can give. As a volunteer lead, your volunteers look to you for support and guidance. Appreciating your volunteers is critical. You need to recognize each volunteer as an individual. Are they volunteering because they need volunteer hours for school? Are they there because they want to support your cause? Whatever the reason, you need to engage each and every volunteer and connect them to the purpose and cause of the organization.
Why did you decide to use VolunteerSpot?
One of the activities that my children participate in uses VolunteerSpot for their small events, so I thought I would give it a try. I found VolunteerSpot extremely easy to use and it really takes the work out of recruiting. You have one master list that you can access from any computer (or phone!), instead of trying to create an excel spreadsheet and then having to transfer all the volunteer data to the sheet. VolunteerSpot even reminds your volunteers of their assigned duties!
Anything else you’d like our readers to know about your event/organization or volunteering?
The Northern Lights Health Foundation (NLHF), in partnership with Alberta Health Services (AHS), its donors, volunteers and stakeholders raises funds to enhance quality health and wellness services for all residents of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB).
The Northern Lights Health Foundation mission: In close partnership with AHS, our donors, volunteers and stakeholders, the NLHF raises and allocates funds to enhance quality health and wellness services for all residents of the RMWB. Supporters of the organization range from individuals, volunteers, and small to medium-sized businesses to large corporations who operate within the RMWB. Support is given in various forms including event sponsorship, individual and business gifts to the annual appeal, gifts made in memory or tribute, and corporate gifts to support programs and/or equipment purchases.
To learn more, visit the Northern Lights Health Foundation's website.
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We salute Gayle and all the other volunteer leaders out there making a difference. If you're using VolunteerSpot, write and tell us about what you're doing and give us a chance to shine our Volunteer Spotlight on you!! Just email us at [email protected].
