The Innisfail & District Historical Society is rolling out its first ever volunteer program in the agency's four-decade-old history.
Debbie Becker Matthie, manager of the historical village, said the growth of the agency along with the increasing demands on board members, many of them elderly, have made the move necessary.
"We use them (board members) a lot but many are getting a little tired," said Becker Matthie. "Our board members are becoming less and less able to help."
However, she added the need for an organized volunteer drive for the society and its Village also speaks to the growth and popularity of the agency, which attracts hundreds and even thousands of visitors a year, particularly from outside of town.
"We've gotten more exposed and are tapping into the tourism industry," said Becker Matthie. "We are more connected to the provincial museum network. If someone is going to the Dickson Store they may very well be directed here. We promote each other."
As well, a dedicated volunteer program has the potential to bring in more provincial funding to the society. Increased volunteer hours recorded and submitted to the province would mean a greater amount of matching provincial funds back into its operations.
Last year the Village received 950 guests during the Village's four months of operation. That was down slightly from 2010 when 1,080 guests toured the Village. The programs and events at the Village received 2,120 visitors in 2011, which was also down slightly from 2010 when 2,160 utilized the programs and events.
"We always struggle with local visitors. Our out-of-town visitor count is always twice the local," said Becker Matthie, adding some changes will be made this year with the popular Ghost Walk program.
"We tried to share it last year with the Night at the Museum and we cut it back," she said. "This year there will be more of them and probably go back to the way it was before, maybe every Friday night."
Citizens who want to volunteer are asked to call the Village at 403-227-2906 to set up an appointment and to collect application forms. Citizens will be asked to fill out the forms that include a Criminal Record Check and a Vulnerable Sector Check. Innisfail RCMP will complete the forms.
There is no age limit but anyone under the age of 18 must have parental approval.
"Kids love the Ghost Walk and often offer help behind the scenes," said Becker Matthie, adding the society is now looking at ways to promote volunteer opportunities. "We are looking at different ways, a different approach. We haven't got it ironed out yet."
She said the society would ultimately like to have a volunteer team of between eight and 12 citizens.
The volunteer application form asks citizens to check off in which area of the society's services they would like to volunteer, including archive collection and inventory, executive board, marketing and media, restoration projects, education programs, special events, grounds and gardens maintenance and researcher.
"People in the past have said they do want to volunteer but only specific things, like Ghost Walks, or working in the gardens, or educational programs or archive collection," said Becker Matthie.
Meanwhile, the society is holding its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at 7 p.m. on March 20 in the Village Tea Room.
