The Ontario Volunteer Centre Network (OVCN) is an unincorporated network of 22 volunteer centres in Ontario, guided by a volunteer steering committee. There is no membership fee at present and all Ontario Volunteer Centres are automatically part of the network if they meet Volunteer Canada's definition of a volunteer centre, which follows:
"Volunteer Centres are non-profit organizations or groups dedicated to fostering and developing volunteerism in the community as a whole. While other organizations contribute to sustaining our national heritage of volunteering through their programs and outreach, Volunteer Centres serve the broadest membership: including volunteers and organizations/volunteer-involving organizations. Volunteer Centres reach across the non-profit and public sectors to include organizations working in human and social services, health care, education, the arts and recreation - regardless of their source of funding, and reflect the needs of the community they serve."
In Canada, there are over 200 volunteer centres (or bureaux) who are dedicated to supporting volunteers and the organizations that require volunteer help. Each volunteer centre has a unique mix of programs and services and may include:
Promoting Volunteerism:
Building Capacity for Effective Local Volunteering:
Providing Leadership on Issues Relating to Volunteerism:
Connecting People with Opportunities to Serve: