Calgary community associations enduring volunteer drought, burnout

Calgary's community associations are volunteer-run, but for those already donating their time, a recent drought in help is running them off their feet. As pandemic restrictions lift and things begin returning to normal, some associations are finding it hard to bring back the momentum needed to throw block parties, pancake breakfasts and community cleanups — annual traditions before the pandemic years. Some think it's burnout that has spread throughout the pandemic as groups struggled to keep their lights on and care for infrastructure that no longer provided a reliable income through rentals. Others believe volunteers are taking a step back to reconnect with family and friends after distancing for two years. In Ranchlands, the annual Stampede breakfast was cancelled for 2022 — the community just couldn't drum up enough volunteers to make it happen. "People want the events but we just don't have the bodies to be able to support events," said Ranchlands Community Association vice-president Nadine Bird. "I get a lot of 'I don't have time for this right now.'" Their pancake breakfast included a parade and would have needed more than 25 volunteers — along with countless volunteer hours to organize. Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-community-associations-volunteer-shortage-1.6521974