Our History... our future in the making

Betty Haley founded the area's Volunteer Bureau over 20 years ago.

Betty was working on a YMCA project, trying to help co-ordinate volunteers to assist the community's non-profit agencies. She realized that most organizations did not have enough time to go out and actively recruit volunteers, so she had an idea: why not create an agency to act as a broker or clearinghouse for volunteers? She talked about this concept with several people and eventually a seven-member steering committee was formed and an official board elected. The Volunteer Bureau of Leeds and Grenville was created.

The doors opened April 1st, 1981. The organization became a registered charity on January 1st, 1991. The organization was incorporated July 14th, 2000.

As Executive Director, Betty founded several community programs: Driver Program, a program to drive seniors and low income individuals to doctor appointments; Community Volunteer Tax Program; and our Annual Mayors' Walk. Our successful Driver Program was passed on to the Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) in May 2002.

After 22 years of dedicated service, Betty Haley retired June 1st, 2003. Cheryl Marshall took the Executive Director position on June 1st, 2003.

In September of 2007, Cheryl Marshal left the bureau to pursue another exciting opportunity in the community.  Cheryl made several contributions to the bureau over her 4 year tenure with us.

Frank Rockett took over the helm as Executive Director of the Volunteer Bureau upon Cheryl's departure.  We are looking forward to the many exciting  new opportunities for volunteer development under Frank's guidance.