After 12 successful years serving as the regional volunteer center for Central Oregon, Volunteer Connect has decided to wind down its operations due to a lack of sustainable funding. Since its inception in 2004 as Volunteer Insights, founder and volunteer Executive Director Betsy Warriner and the organization’s dedicated staff have helped to connect hundreds of community members with rewarding volunteer opportunities that enhance the Central Oregon community.
“It has been my joy to work with our board and staff members and our many community partners over the past 12 years to increase volunteerism in Central Oregon. I look forward to helping others build on our legacy,” says Warriner.
Volunteer Connect is currently exploring the possibility of passing some of its wonderful programming and infrastructure on to another organization, agency or educational institution. The organization remains hopeful that this will take place in the near future.
Board Chair Dana Perry shared, “Though Volunteer Connect is winding down, the spirit of volunteerism in Central Oregon lives on, in large part, because of the dedication of Betsy and staff to Volunteer Connect’s vision of creating a region of engaged volunteers who nourish our communities.”
A celebration of Volunteer Connect, its founder Betsy Warriner and dedicated staff members Katya Spiecker, Holly Williams and Daleena Green will take place this fall to honor their phenomenal accomplishments on behalf of Central Oregon.
Volunteer Connect is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that began in 2004 as Volunteer Insights, a service-learning resource center. In 2010, the organization expanded to become Volunteer Connect, the regional volunteer center, through collaboration with the Partnership to End Poverty, United Way of Deschutes County, and local school, college, nonprofit and community partners. Through its website search system, volunteers and community organizations match their interests and needs. The organization connects volunteers of all ages with one-time and ongoing opportunities to serve communities in Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson Counties.
