Volunteer Services

VAC is a volunteer information center, providing volunteer recruitment, information, training, and recognition in Boone County.

Services include:

• Publish the Helping Hand Catalog, which lists agencies in Boone County that utilize volunteers, provides contact information and descriptions of volunteer positions.
• Publicize agency requests for volunteers through a bi-monthly agency newsletter and a weekly listing of volunteer needs in a column called “Get Involved” in the Columbia Daily Tribune.
• The HERO Awards, a collaboration with the Columbia Daily Tribune to recognize outstanding volunteers in Boone County.  All HERO Award nominees and winners are recognized at an annual reception.
• Helped establish the Columbia Volunteer Network, a coalition of volunteer managers who meet on a quarterly basis for volunteer management training and information on improving the professionalism of volunteer managers.
• Speak about volunteering to civic groups, local and state agencies, university and high school classes and adult enrichment classes.
• Sponsor a Community Volunteer Fair in conjunction with Earth Day, and an MU volunteer fair in collaboration with the University YMCA to promote volunteerism on the MU campus.
• Provide a searchable online volunteer information database for Boone County.
• Collaborate with the City of Columbia Office of Volunteer Services to annually publish the Summer Youth Volunteer Opportunities Catalog.
• Regular participation in CAT TV’s “Making a Difference” show which emphasizes volunteerism in our community.