Recently, I volunteered for imagineNATIVE. When I arrived I recognized two other volunteers from the Toronto Fringe from last summer. Later I met  another experienced event volunteer who had heard about this volunteer opportunity through Pride. And then I learned about a brilliant initiative called VAACT: Volunteer Award for Arts & Culture Toronto. 

VACCT was established to recognize the incredible contribution volunteers give to the Arts & Culture organizations that make Toronto a vibrant city in which to live, work and play. ​Established in 2016 by a collective of Toronto festivals and events, VAACT recognizes the incredible contribution volunteers make to organizations across the city. ​The role of VAACT is to acknowledge and thank volunteers for the endless hours they contribute.

Part of the genius of VACCT is that it allows small events, as well as large to be able to recruit and share a set of knowledgeable volunteers. Anyone who volunteers for four or more events or festivals with participating member organizations during the VAACT term is eligible to attend the VAACT ceremony held on International Volunteer Day.

Volunteers must meet the minimum requirements for each organization's volunteer program and be in good standing. ​In addition, any volunteer who is a "no show" is ineligible for VAACT recognition. After successfully completing the minimum requirements for each event, the volunteer gets an email from VAACT with a virtual stamp confirming their service with that event. Once they've collected four stamps, they are eligible to attend the awards ceremony. ​The VAACT term runs from November 1 to October 31 of the following year. ​

VAACT is committed to celebrating, and appreciating a dedicated, diverse, and engaged volunteer community based on shared best volunteer engagement practices. The VAACT Committee includes like-minded, events-based Arts & Culture organizations to join, promote, and expand this volunteer recognition initiative.

To learn more about VAACT, click here

To learn more about imagineNATIVE, click here.

To learn more about the Toronto Fringe, click here.

To learn more about Pride, click here.