Who we are
The Volunteer Bureau of Montreal's mission is to promote volunteerism to the general public and to provide support services to community organizations using volunteers.
The promotion of volunteerism—the basic mandate of all volunteer bureaus—can take many different forms. For the VBM, recruiting volunteers for community organizations is a priority, serving a double clientele: on the one hand, the general public, all of whom may be looked upon as potential volunteers; and on the other, community organizations needing their services.
Community organizations are the main beneficiaries of the Bureau's other activities, including its training workshops in volunteer management, its volunteer fairs, its newsletter, consultation service, etc.
In addition, the Bureau plays a special role as the Volunteer Food Services Central Office, providing support services to an affiliated network of a hundred Meals-on-Wheels groups and Lunch Clubs for seniors.
The Bureau is also responsible for the Christmas Index, a Montreal tradition since 1919.
Founded in 1937, the VBM in 2007 celebrated its 70th anniversary and was the recipient of the Prix Hommage bénévolat-Québec and of Centraide of Greater Montreal's Agnes C. Higgins Award.