VAST Meeting

Virtually all nonprofit agencies also rely on volunteers to operate. There's an organization that's purpose is to help agencies recruit and manage people who donate their time.

Volunteer Administrators of the Southern Tier or VAST is holding an open house to encourage new members Thursday. The group's current president is Candace Phelan, the Volunteer Coordinator for Southern Tier AIDS Project. STAP volunteers help with office work, outreach, teach and mentor and staff large events like the upcoming Ride-A-Thon.

Candace Phelan says, "All of the volunteer coordinators at VAST know that our agencies couldn't do what we do without our volunteer base that comes in and helps us out of their hearts. They're bringing their skills to us and it's amazing."

Phelan says VAST's membership has suffered because many nonprofits have had to eliminate full time volunteer managers, yet the agencies continue to rely on volunteers. Anyone who has a role in coordinating them can attend Thursday's open house at 11:30 am at the United Way of Broome County on the Vestal Parkway to see if VAST can help you.

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