Background:
Awareness
Joint
Table
(AJT)
According to the report Working Together, which
formed the basis for the VSI, “Several key
groups of Canadians…lack a thorough understanding
of the sector’s nature, needs and challenges,
and the opportunities the sector affords. This lack
of understanding is a barrier to enhanced support of
and involvement in the voluntary sector.”
In
keeping
with
the
recommendations
of
Working
Together,
the
Awareness
Joint
Table
(AJT)
was
created
to
examine
how
to
generate
awareness
of,
ongoing
support
for,
and
involvement
in
a
sector
that
is
critical
to
civil
society.
Beginning
in
the
fall
of
2000,
the
AJT
conducted
research,
developed
and
considered
various
awareness
strategies,
and
consulted
extensively
with
volunteers
and
voluntary
organizations
across
the
country.
In fall 2002, the AJT proposed an approach for a Canada-wide
Voluntary
Sector Awareness Initiative, and prepared a final
report on its activities since September 2000. The Joint
Table disbanded in September 2002, and an advisory
committee was appointed to oversee the implementation
of the Awareness Initiative until 2005.