On June 17, 2026, the Volunteer Bureau of Montreal (VBM) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in a hybrid format, bringing together nearly 50 participants — including members, volunteers, partners, employees, and board members — for an important milestone in the organization’s life.
Under the theme “A Springboard for Volunteer Action – Strengthening Our Organization, Advancing the Movement,” this annual gathering provided an opportunity to reflect on a year marked by organizational consolidation and to outline the key priorities for the next stage of VBM’s development.
Strengthening Our Organization: 2025-2026 Achievements
The AGM highlighted the accomplishments that now enable the VBM to better support, recognize, and foster volunteer action in Montreal, while reaffirming the essential role of volunteering in building vibrant communities.
During 2025-2026, the VBM continued its efforts to strengthen volunteer action in Montreal through several major initiatives, including:
- Launching a new website and communication tools
- Evolving communications strategies to better reach target audiences
- Expanding corporate volunteering, skills-based volunteering, and governance volunteering through the deployment of the Work at Heart program
- Strengthening internal practices and organizational processes
Elections and Governance
Elections were held to fill five positions on the Board of Directors. This important democratic process helps ensure governance grounded in member participation and engagement.
The VBM is pleased to welcome two new members to its Board of Directors:
- Mélissa Fortin
- Charlotte Voute
They join the current board members in contributing to the organization’s strategic directions and development:
- Ugo Dionne, President
- Geneviève Doray, Board Member (re-elected)
- Vicky Gagnon, Treasurer
- Mehdi Hafa, Board Member
- Marguerite Kinfack, Secretary (re-elected)
- Claude Noiseux, Board Member
- Gaëlle Thomas Lehrhaupt, Vice-President (re-elected)
We sincerely thank Ariane Ergas-Forget and Zlatka Merdzhanova, outgoing board members, for their dedication and valuable contributions over the years. We wish them every success in their future endeavors.
Looking Ahead to 2026-2027
The AGM also provided an opportunity to present the VBM’s 2026-2027 strategic directions, marking a new phase of development focused on consolidating achievements, measuring impact, and ensuring the sustainability of its actions. This next stage is guided by a clear objective: to continue strengthening the organization’s capacity to support, connect, and promote volunteer action throughout Montreal.
Here are the priorities for the coming year:
- Facilitate access to volunteering
- Support organizations in their mission
- Develop specialized volunteering
- Strengthen member engagement and visibility
- Ensure the sustainability of our actions
- Better understand and recognize our impact
A Moment of Connection and Networking
Following the meeting, participants attending in person continued their discussions during a networking reception held in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. This gathering encouraged meaningful connections and strengthened relationships among members, partners, and the VBM team.
This annual meeting once again demonstrated that the VBM thrives through a dynamic ecosystem of volunteers, partners, and community organizations united by a shared ambition: to make volunteering a powerful driver of solidarity and civic participation.
We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who took part in the event. Your presence, support, and commitment help advance our organization and strengthen our community.
To learn more about the year’s achievements and highlights, click here to view the VBM’s 2025-2026 Annual Report.
