Scott Crabbe
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jan 31/00) - Volunteer organizations across the NWT have a new outlet for recruitment and services thanks to Industry Canada's Volunteer Sector Network Support Program, (VolNet).

Storefront For Volunteer Agencies in Yellowknife -- an umbrella organization for volunteer agencies -- is the NWT delivery agent for the VolNet program, which aims to get groups hooked up to the Internet.

"We're hoping to sign up 225 volunteer agencies," said Denise Bekkema, Storefront executive director.

The program will provide new computers with modems and software to volunteer agencies in several communities. Agencies will also receive a year's worth of Internet service, basic Internet training and technical support.

Bekkema was a member of the national advisory committee started by Industry Canada to create and develop the program.

"It's a landmark program because it's the first time the federal government turned to the volunteer sector for program development."

Storefront was one of several Northern agencies that bid to host the program and was selected for the job early this month.

Since then it has conducted assessments to find out how many of the North's estimated 500 volunteer agencies require computers, Internet service and training.

"With a database of the societies registered we've mailed out information and application packages," Bekkema said.

Eligible agencies must be a not-for-profit corporation under the NWT Societies Act and have annual revenue of less than $500,000. They must also operate democratically, have a volunteer board of directors, and offer programs and services of public interest.

Agencies that already have an Internet service or do not plan to use the Internet in the near future will not be eligible.

"Volunteer agencies in the communities must also have local Internet service provider access," Bekkema said.

Applications for VolNet services can be obtained through Storefront in Yellowknife. Surveys and applications must submitted to Storefront by Feb. 15.