Making Waves: What it means to be Canadian

If a rising tide lifts all boats, this year’s theme for National Volunteer week April 27-May 3, is about to make a splash.

Dr. Megan Conway, CAO of Volunteer Canada, recently announced this year’s theme for National Volunteer Week:  Volunteers Make Waves. It highlights the power, impact and importance of individual and collective volunteer efforts across Canada.

“Like a wave, volunteering is movement building,” she said. “Each individual volunteer contribution, big or small, creates momentum and has the power to influence and inspire, joining a wave of positive change. “

Across our country, the nonprofit and charitable sector delivers a lion’s share of essential services, with the majority—58 per cent-- providing these services mainly through the efforts of volunteers.

In recent years a myriad of issues including the COVID-19 pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis, and a growing divisiveness on social media are slowly eroding our connections to each other and our communities. It’s easy to lose faith in a world where we have no control.

Meaningful gestures are often within our control and usually found in the smallest of acts—a friendly smile, a door held open; helping to clear snow—all brighten a corner of the world. The fact that these little kindnesses are often unplanned, suggests there is still goodness to be found here.

“During National Volunteer Week 2025, we come together to recognize and celebrate all the ways volunteers make waves from coast to coast to coast. Together we create ripples of change. And through the power of our amplified impact, Volunteers Make Waves,” said Dr. Conway.

To see her deliver the keynote address at our last symposium, visit https://www.volunteerns.ca/annual-symposium.