GUELPH – After more than two decades connecting the Guelph and Wellington County communities with volunteer opportunities, resources and services, the People and Information Network (PIN) is closing its doors for good.
“This is a tough time for non-profit organizations,” stated Janet Kaufman, chair of PIN’s board of directors, in a Feb. 13 press release announcing the closure.
She noted that like many other non-profit organizations, PIN has struggled with funding shortfalls for several years.
Kaufman said volunteering has changed dramatically since the centre opened.
Companies seeking volunteers often hire volunteer managers and people are more able to find volunteer opportunities online, reducing the need for services like those offered by PIN.
She said volunteering has also decreased since the COVID-19 pandemic hit almost three years ago, with people experiencing significant social changes and many concerned about potential health risks of volunteering.
“PIN’s board and staff remain passionate about the value of volunteering but we need to be realistic about our prospects,” Kaufman stated.
PIN was created in 2001, the United Nations’ International Year of The Volunteer, and was originally known as The Volunteer Centre of Guelph-Wellington.
Interim executive director Peter Hohenadel said PIN’s work has included offering an online source for local volunteer opportunities, advocating for volunteerism, training volunteer managers at non-profits and companies, and running programs like Snow Angels, a shoveling support initiative.
Hohenadel told the Advertiser he doesn’t expect a single organization “can take the place of PIN,” but he noted “that may change once PIN no longer exists.”
He recommends people looking to volunteer “determine their primary interest, whether that’s health, culture or sport-related causes, for example,” and then look into “local non-profits that engage volunteers in your area of interest, and contact the organization to find out about opportunities.”
The PIN board of directors announced the closure on Feb. 13, and members will be meeting to approve dissolving the organization on Feb. 23.
Normal operations will continue until March 31, after which formal dissolution will take place once funding and sponsorship commitments have been met.
