Volunteer Peterborough founder wins Charity Village Impact Award

Lois Tuffin, founder of Volunteer Peterborough, has received Charity Village’s Most Outstanding Individual Impact – Volunteer award. It recognizes her work to resurrect a match-making service to help local non-profits.

The award celebrates outstanding impact by a volunteer at a nonprofit or charity.

“I nominated Lois to shine a spotlight on her work with Volunteer Peterborough,” says Hannah Routly, a member of one of the group’s subcommittees. “In just over a year, Lois and a fulsome team created a much-needed way to match volunteers with critical roles in our community. I hope this award shines light on this vital initiative and encourages others to support this work.”

Her nomination was bolstered by letters of support from three key women:

• Jennifer DeBues, executive director of the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough;
• Jayne Culbert, co-ordinator of Age-friendly Peterborough; and
• Volunteer Peterborough’s operations co-ordinator Genevieve Ramage.

Since launching in July 2023, VolunteerPeterborough.ca has signed up 1,524 individuals and 162 non-profits. It welcomes postings about non-profits and the roles they have open in one handy location.

“In the past year in particular, we’ve seen how much people want to help and how willing they are to act when given an outlet,” Tuffin says. “It’s gratifying to see our team come together to create this volunteer movement.”

What her nominators have to say:

Lois leads the Volunteer Peterborough initiative with positivity and zest. For example, she spends countless hours volunteering for good causes in Peterborough from turning an old convent into a thriving housing development. She has also mobilized dozens of people to don the mantle of “porch pirate” to collect groceries for the local food bank. She knows how to convince people to believe in the potential of an “e-harmony but for volunteering.” Consequently, that’s what makes her encouraging message so strong. It’s not just her persuasive speaking skills at Rotary breakfasts, or workshops on board governance, or engaging social media posts.

• Jennifer DeBues, Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough

Lois’ vision and tenacity motivated others and sparked a greater interest in the need for an organization to match volunteers to opportunities. Volunteer Peterborough started with a couple of people meeting in Lois’ living room. Within a few years, it grew to an incorporation with a Board of Directors. Although this was due to the contribution of a few people, it would not have happened without Lois’ leadership.

At the ‘Meet Your Match’ Volunteer Fair, individuals and organizations thanked Lois for filling a gap in our community. I was astonished by the success of the event and as a result how many matches were made. Lois didn’t stop there. She has received funding to expand the concept and plan volunteer fairs in our rural townships. Lois never stops.

• Jayne Culbert, Age-friendly Peterborough Co-ordinator

Words from her Volunteer Peterborough allies

As the only staff member of Volunteer Peterborough, I see firsthand how much energy and time she puts into it. She works full time (plus overtime) hours within this volunteer role. I am in awe of her energy and passion, the love she has for this community and the positive growing connections she makes daily. Within one year of launching, the list of organizations involved has grown to nearly 150. Meanwhil, the number of volunteers registered is close to 1,500. As a humble volunteer, she is the last person to take credit for the many tasks and amazing goals that have been achieved. We, at Volunteer Peterborough, want Lois to see how much our team and the community appreciate her spirit and determination.

• Genevieve Ramage, Operations Coordinator for Volunteer Peterborough

Lois has been instrumental in starting the organization and finding the talent needed to operate. She had brought in a wide variety of contacts from her days in the media to spread the word about VP. Additionally, she has near-tirelessly sought funding from not just the usual sources, but from organizations that are not usually known for philanthropy. She also recognizes when something has moved beyond her ability or capacity. In short, she doesn’t let her pride get in the way of the mission. She knows delegation is the way to get the job done properly, and is open to anyone facing difficulties reaching out for her help or advice. She has been patient and gracious with anyone experiencing a learning curve and offers enthusiastic support.

• Julie Morris, Volunteer Peterborough’s social media maven

About Charity Village

Since 1995, Charity Village has been the HR partner for recruitment in the Canadian nonprofit sector. Through its online courses, volunteer and event listings, webinars, newsletters, articles, tools and resources, it helps nonprofit staff and volunteers do their best work every day.

About Volunteer Peterborough

Volunteer Peterborough is an online and in-person volunteer match-making service created in 2023. It is aligned with the Peterborough Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce, the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough, Age-friendly Peterborough, the County of Peterborough, Telecare Peterborough and additional partners.