Residents in Innisfil will have a new way to put their names forward for volunteer and civic opportunities.
The Town is launching Service Ballots in partnership with MASS Civic Innovation Lab.
Residents can fill out a short form to indicate their interests, skills and availability.
The opportunities could include Town-appointed committees, event support, public engagement activities, advisory groups, and youth or senior initiatives.
“Many residents want to contribute to their community but don’t always know where to start,” says Mayor Lynn Dollin. “Service Ballots make it easy for residents to add their name to a list for future opportunities and get more involved in our Town.”
Information submitted through the Service Ballot will be securely managed and used only to notify residents about opportunities that match their interests.
The Town says completing the form does not automatically appoint anyone or replace official selection processes.
Residents may be contacted when opportunities become available that match their interests and experience.
"Innisfil is pioneering a new way for communities to find and engage volunteers,” says Peter MacLeod, creator of the Service Ballots concept and co-author of Democracy’s Second Act: Why Politics Needs the Public. “As the first municipality in Canada to become a pilot community for this initiative, Innisfil is showing what it looks like to make volunteering easier, more visible and more accessible. I expect communities across Canada will be watching closely—and following Innisfil’s lead.”
Service Ballots were developed by MASS CIL. MASS develops practical innovations that expand the role of citizens in public decision-making. The goal is to strengthen democratic institutions by making them more participatory, representative, and capable of drawing on the intelligence and experience of the public.
Residents interested in participating can learn more and complete a Service Ballot at Volunteering | Town of Innisfil.
