The Purpose of Hands Up! Expo
It is well recognized that our current volunteer workforce is both aging and over utilized, a situation that will very soon leave our non-profit sector unable to maintain needed levels of sustainable community services. Hands-Up! Expo aims to recruit "new" volunteers of all ages to join the ranks and more actively participate in their community.

Hands Up! Expo is a venue to showcase more than 150 community non-profit organizations, services and agencies in southeastern New Brunswick through interactive presentations, meet-and-greet sessions, educational seminars and displays. These community groups will promote volunteer opportunities in the region and encourage citizens to "participate, activate and create!" The groups will encourage the public to get involved in building solutions for those in need of help, whether the less fortunate, seniors or youth. In addition, opportunities for volunteering with social and sports activities will be highlighted.

Hands Up! Expo will also provide an opportunity for those working with community non-profit organizations to participate in seminars and workshops aimed at improving their administrative capabilities and their service delivery, as well as to learn of new industry-leading best practices.

The non-profit sector requires this annual venue to pitch their volunteer opportunities to our community and be "professionally" well-prepared to communicate to the public the type of volunteer help they need.

With more than 6,000 attendees expected, the 2008 Hands Up! Expo will organize and market a "Be a Volunteer, Invite a Volunteer" initiative to attract participants. Hands Up! Expo will also survey potential volunteers about what they would like to receive from their volunteer experience and how it could be achieved. Hands Up! Expo will help existing volunteers discover many new organizations in our area, providing those citizens a chance to make additional volunteer commitments, further enriching their lives.

Please help our volunteer force grow and watch our community network expand! In a professional and high-energy venue like Hands Up!, community non-profit organizations will say thanks and volunteers will feel thanked.

Hands Up! Expo has all the necessary ingredients to ensure increased volunteerism in our community. Hands Up! Expo will initiate, promote, activate and celebrate volunteerism.