Volunteer Center becomes a program of Opportunity Council

Most of the Volunteer Center of Whatcom County is now part of of the Opportunity Council, according to announcements from both organizations.

The merger occurred after months of discussion and exploration as a solution for the Volunteer Center, which didn’t have enough revenue for its administrative function, the center said Monday, Dec. 14.

Nearly all of the Whatcom Volunteer Center programs and staff became part of the Opportunity Council starting in December.

The exception is the center’s Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, which will continue to operate independently for one more year. Known as RSVP, it will be managed by Mel Monkelis and the board of the Volunteer Center because of federal restrictions on transferring the program to the Opportunity Council.

The volunteer center has three employees. It will not leave its current location in Bellingham or change its services, according to a news release from the center.

Kie Relyea

This story was originally published December 14, 2015 at 1:39 PM with the headline "Volunteer Center becomes a program of Opportunity Council."