The Ottawa Chamber of Voluntary Organizations (OCVO) was officially launched on October 9, 2002. It is governed by a steering committee comprised of representatives of a diverse cross-section of the voluntary sector in Ottawa.

Until late 2005, OCVO sustained itself through seed funding, shared resources of the Steering Committee and in-kind contributions from the Centre for Voluntary Sector Research and Development (CVSRD). OCVO was innovative in its early efforts to establish itself in the community and to learn from its experiences as well as from those of other local or provincial voluntary sector networks. It has successfully hosted seminars, forums and roundtables with a view to sharing information, encouraging networking and raising the profile of the voluntary sector.

OCVO is where people from non-profit groups can come; to help each other; to share ideas; and to learn, in order to strengthen the Ottawa community, the community they serve and themselves.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What exactly does OCVO do?
OCVO provides professional development and networking opportunities for staff and volunteers of Ottawa-area organizations, foundations, and government employees who work for and with voluntary sector organizations. Through our website and our updates, OCVO keeps the community up to date on issues affecting the voluntary sector. We can provide you with information, contacts and link you to resources to make it a bit easier to do your work.

2. Where does OCVO get their money from?
OCVO is currently seeking new funding from several sources. In the past our funding has come from grants from a variety of sources as well as project-based. Small amounts of revenue are also generated from membership and events. We are also exploring the potential of shared services and shared spaces on behalf of voluntary sector organizations in the Ottawa region.

3. How do I get in touch?
You can contact the coordinator, Brenda Gallagher by phone, 613-841-7163, email, info@ocvo-cobo.ca or mail, c/o Family Services à la famille Ottawa, 312 Parkdale Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1Y 4X5. The organization is staffed on a part-time basis.

4. What can I do to help?
OCVO has grown significantly in the past year. If you have suggestions for services that you would like OCVO to offer its members or to Ottawa’s voluntary sector in general please send them to the coordinator. If you have specific skills or expertise you would like to share you are encouraged to contact the coordinator or a member of the steering committee. If you are interested in having a say in the direction of OCVO in the coming years please consider joining our steering committee.

5. What do I get out of it?
OCVO holds learning and networking events around issues of common interest throughout the membership year. Admission to these events is very reasonable with members receiving a significant discount or free admission to these events.

OCVO informs members and Ottawa’s voluntary sector on current issues, events, resources, and governmental policies and initiatives affecting the sector through emails or our website.

OCVO provides opportunities for representatives of the sector to connect, share information, and develop partnerships which will benefit their organizations.

OCVO provides Ottawa-area organizations with the opportunity to help strengthen the voluntary sector by working together.

6. Who’s involved?
OCVO members include small, large, rural, and urban organizations that work in sub-sectors including the environment, faith, social services, health, sport and many more. Members of OCVO’s steering committee are leaders in the sector representing a variety of local organizations. For a list of steering committee members click here.

7. Will OCVO advocate on behalf of my group?
It depends. Part of the purpose of the OCVO is to champion the value of the voluntary sector, to articulate the views of the voluntary sector and to mobilize and engage the voluntary sector around issues of common concern. In general, we will not advocate on behalf of one organization, however, from time to time there may be issues that our members and the voluntary sector in Ottawa believe should be addressed collectively. In this situation OCVO could act on behalf of the sector.