A new web site is being developed to house a comprehensive listing of Kitsap volunteer opportunities, coinciding with the International Year of Volunteers. All Kitsap County-based nonprofits, government agencies and other groups that have volunteer opportunities open are encouraged to participate.

Paulette de Gard (Concurrent Technologies Corporation), Kathy Fortner (Holly Ridge Center), Wendy Kelly (PSNS), Nancy Olson (United Way of Kitsap County) and Dave White (Kitsap County Sheriff’s Department), the developers of the new web site, are part of the Leadership Kitsap Class of 2001. Leadership Kitsap class members are required to undertake a team project that will benefit the community.

“The purpose of this new web site is to help link those who want to volunteer to the treasure trove of volunteer opportunities available in Kitsap County,” said de Gard. “We chose to develop this site because of the tremendous need to get information to people who want to volunteer. We believe this project will have a great impact on the level of volunteerism in Kitsap County.”

The site will be up and running by mid-June, and will be managed by United Way of Kitsap County. Concurrent Technologies Corporation is providing database and web site development support.

To have your organization’s volunteer opportunities listed, e-mail Olson at nolson@unitedwaykitsap.org to obtain an entry form. Entries not provided on an official form will not be listed on the site, due to database management requirements.

“We urge all organizations throughout Kitsap County to contact us,” comments White. “There are some limited listings of volunteer opportunities scattered around the county. Our goal is to make this web site as comprehensive and accessible as possible – but we can’t do that if we don’t get the information we need from all the organizations.”

This year’s Leadership Kitsap class is made up of 19 members from businesses and organizations around Kitsap County. The group’s mission is to promote informed and committed civic volunteerism.