‘We have to step up’

East Winnipeg

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This article was published 21/02/2023 (984 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There’s never a bad time to volunteer. But with annual general meetings, board appointments, and spring sports just around the corner, volunteer-run community centres in east Winnipeg need folks to step up.

“Volunteers provide valuable services to community centres,” said Karen Kummen-Diak, president of Valley Gardens Community Centre.

“Without volunteers, sports and other programs can’t exist.”

“Everybody think it’s not their job, until you point out you just do it,” added Maura Champagne, a longtime Gateway Recreation Centre volunteer co-ordinator and board member. Champagne got involved at Gateway over 15 years ago, and has said she’s concerned programs might start to suffer if more volunteers don’t step forward.

“We’re always on the lookout for volunteers,” Kummen-Diak said. “During the pandemic, we had tons of volunteers, a full board. People had time. Now, that family-work balance has gotten out of whack, and unfortunately for us, that’s been dropped. We’re always reaching out to parents, the community. It’s so very much needed.”

Sean Fedorowich, who has been president of Norberry-Glenlee Community Centre for more than 10 years, said attracting and retaining volunteers is a “perennial issue.”

“It’s disheartening,” Fedorowich said. “We’re old school. Decisions are made by those who show up. If you want these activities in your community, you need to be a part of it. You can’t just rely on others to provide them for you.”

Lora Meseman, executive director of the General Council of Winnipeg Community Centres, said that volunteers at community centres have been dwindling for years and was exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“I think with folks stepping away when they closed the centre, and for so long, people moved on. When it came time to come back and start to gather again, I think a lot of people have been hesitant,” Meseman said.

In 2018, Winnipeg community centres reported a total of 14,314 volunteers. When the pandemic struck in 2020, that number dropped drastically to 5,676 volunteers. With the widespread closures owing to the pandemic, a drop was to be expected but after re-opening in 2022, the numbers have recovered only marginally, with community centres reporting 7,805 volunteers — just over half of pre-COVID numbers.

Given the city’s model for community centres, that’s an alarming trend, Meseman said.

“In the city of Winnipeg, our model of community centres is very unique. The board of directors at community centres are volunteers and, primarily, community centres are run through volunteer support. The funding they get from the City of Winnipeg is intended for maintenance and really doesn’t cover the cost of employees,” Meseman said.

Many community centres hold their annual general meetings in April, and registration for spring sports begins in March.

“We haven’t had a full board in some time,” Kummen-Diak said. “We haven’t housed ringette for years. Without coaches, we’ll always find a place for the kids to play, but it might not be at their home club.”

“I just keep thinking of what happens when some of these long-term volunteers retire,” Champagne said. “We need new people to think outside the box, and I know that’s a cliché, but it’s true.”

“We have to step up, it’s our responsibility to step up,” Fedorowich said. “Whatever your interest is, pursue it, whether it’s one of the activities we have or one you’d like to see. Decisions are made by those who show up.”

“Once people get on board, it’s really not a huge commitment,” Kummen-Diak said. “It just takes dedication and the willingness to put your hand up. Joining a CC board, it gives the volunteer an opportunity to provide direction in how that club is run and how we can best serve their community.”

“My wife and I and our kids moved back to Winnipeg 20 years ago. I’ve been involved with the community centre for the last 15 years,” Fedorowich said. “Our whole family has become involved with this community centre and it has been absolutely great. We’ve met so many people through the community centre who have become a part of our lives.”

— with files from Cody Sellar