1. OTTAWA’S EMPLOYER SUPPORTED VOLUNTEER (ESV) PROGRAM
VO CONNECT
OTTAWA’S EMPLOYER SUPPORTED VOLUNTEER (ESV) PROGRAM

2. Building community by strengthening non-profits
Volunteer Ottawa (VO)
Building community by strengthening non-profits
Connecting non-profits with government & corporations
Volunteer recruitment & promotion
Building expertise
Fostering collaboration

3. VO Education & Training
VO Membership
Over 300 Ottawa non-profits
Social services, health, education, housing, culture & recreation, environment
VO Education & Training
participants annually
45+ workshops offered

4. Volunteer Recruitment & Promotion
3,000 + volunteers placed annually
Database of 500+ volunteer opportunities
Pool of 3,500 + pre-screened volunteers
Annual VOscars Gala– Volunteer Awards
VO Connect- Employer Supported Volunteerism

5. EMPLOYER SUPPORTED VOLUNTEERISM (ESV)
VO CONNECT
EMPLOYER SUPPORTED VOLUNTEERISM (ESV)
Employers encourage and support staff to volunteer time to community causes
Integral to Corporate Social Responsibility
Contributes to employee development
Promotes positive mental health in the workplace
Aligns with core HR strategies (ie. retention, pd)
Win-win team building activity

7. Benefits: Enhanced sense of self-worth and employee morale
Contributes to employee engagement and productivity
Improved people skills among employees
Builds social awareness and community understanding
Contributes to team building
Improved relations with Ottawa community
Enhanced corporate image
Increased health of community
“For every employee who participates in a volunteer program, more than $2,400 of value is generated by improving employee engagement. This is created by decreasing turnover costs and improving employee performance” The Corporate Executive Board Company (CEB): Maximizing the Effectiveness of Volunteer Programs

9. VO tailors your ESV program – can accommodate one- day volunteer activity with thirty different charities for 1,000 + employees, or activities spread across a month with one charity for 20 + employees
VO has the connections – works with you to find the right volunteer engagements – those that will most benefit the community, employees and the organization 
VO does the work – Needs assessment, management services, sourcing of opportunities, employee registration, transportation, catering, photography/videography, recognition strategies, evaluation and more

11. SAMPLE VO CONNECT PROJECTS
Take a stand against poverty:
Contribute to a strong, supportive community :
Enhance our environment:
Make or serve food for the hungry
Package ‘hope bags’ for the homeless
Create gift boxes for those in need
Hold food, clothing, toiletry or book drives
Harvest local produce to benefit fundraising efforts
Assist new Canadians
Make bereavement cards and packages
Participate in walks to raise awareness for important causes
Help out at cultural events, races or summer camps
Help animal rescue shelters
Provide administrative and professional services
Clean up parks and shorelines
Build and repair living spaces for wildlife
Plant and maintain gardens
Build and paint planter benches and picnic tables
Help with weeding and landscaping
Clean, repair and improve community housing sites
We will tailor opportunities to your needs

13. Profile - Export Development Canada
VO CONNECT IN ACTION
Profile - Export Development Canada
2016 – 900 employees & 20 volunteer events
2017 – 1,200 employees & 40+ volunteer projects
Winner of the VOscars Leadership in Corporate Volunteerism Award, 2017
“ We wanted to provide our employees with an opportunity to go out to their communities and give back in a meaningful way. VO was instrumental in making this work. The day was a tremendous success. Approximately 900 EDCers took part. Employees loved it. For EDC it was a way for us connect with our community, and to work with a trusted partner – Volunteer Ottawa.”
- Kat Pipin, Senior Advisor, Community Investment and Corporate Communications, Export Development Canada