Volunteer Conference

2025 Volunteer Conference

The 25th Annual Volunteer Conference will be held on Friday November 21. Earlybird pricing is $40 until October 21. The regular conference registration fee is $60 starting October 22. Registration closes November 16. 

To register create a profile on the new Recreation registration platform then use course code 35814 to register. If you need support registering or you would like to register a group, contact Darren Hirtle at Darren.Hirtle@halifax.ca 

Event details:

• Friday, November 21  | 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• The Delta Hotels by Marriot Dartmouth | 240 Brownlow Avenue (virtual hotel walk-through)

Registration for the 2025 Volunteer Conference

Register now using course code 35814. Create a profile on the new Recreation registration platform if you have not done so already in 2025.

Registration fees:

• Earlybird $40 - September 12 - October 21
• Regular $60 - October 22 - November 16

Conference agenda

8:00 – 8:30      Registration

8:30 – 9:00      Networking Activity

9:00 – 9:00      Opening Remarks

9:30 – 10:00    Nutritional Break

10:00 – 12:00  Workshops

12:00 – 12:45  Lunch

12:45 – 1:20    Mayor's Remarks and Keynote Address

1:20 – 1:45      Networking Activity

1:45 – 2:00      Break 

2:00 – 4:00      Workshops

4:00 – 4:30      Conference Closing & Prizes

Keynote speaker

The keynote speaker for the 2025 conference will be Hope Swinimer from Hope for Wildlife.

Hope Swinimer is the founder and director of Hope for Wildlife, a charitable organization dedicated to wildlife rehabilitation, education, and research. Since its beginnings with a single robin in 1995, Hope for Wildlife now helps 7000 animals each year, averaging over 250 different species, with the work largely being done by over 200 passionate volunteers. With over three decades of experience engaging and inspiring thousands of volunteers, Hope has built a powerful model for how passion, purpose, and people can come together to create meaningful change. As a keynote speaker, she will share insights into volunteer recruitment, training, and long-term retention, drawing from the challenges and triumphs of leading one of Canada's most recognized wildlife rehabilitation centers.

Conference workshops

Morning Workshops:

An Introduction to Grant Writing  Dr. Jennifer Morawiecki, Dalhousie University.

This workshop will introduce participants to the process of grant writing for sustainable projects. Topics to be covered will include organizational readiness, identifying needs, finding funding sources, analyzing funder guidelines, creating project plans, and budgeting.
 

Making Tech Work for You: Tools for Volunteers, Boards, & Nonprofits  Jasmine Du, Halifax Regional Municipality.

Technology should serve you—not stress you out. This workshop offers an approachable introduction to digital tools that simplify everyday nonprofit and volunteer activities. Through practical examples, activities, and myth-busting, participants will gain confidence and clarity around how to use tech tools meaningfully, not just because everyone else is doing it.

Basic Financial Management for Volunteer Organizations  Yao Yao, Monarch Wealth System Inc.

This session introduces the fundamentals of financial management within the context of small, volunteer-led community groups. Topics include how to open and manage bank accounts for group use, track income and expenses related to donations, events, or grant funding, and build a simple but effective annual budget. The workshop also covers the basics of financial reporting for transparency, explores appropriate use of credit or emergency funds, and highlights practical tools to support accountability and sustainability. Real-world examples and common challenges faced by grassroots groups will be used to demonstrate effective financial decision-making, even with limited resources or formal training.

Exploring Socially Prescribed Volunteering  Sharmira Downey & Jasmine Hochman, Association of Black Social Workers

This presentation explores the concept of Socially Prescribed Volunteering (SPV)—a growing approach in health and social care where professionals refer individuals to participate in community-based volunteering as part of a holistic treatment plan. We'll examine how SPV supports mental and physical well-being, reduces loneliness, and fosters a sense of purpose. The session will cover key models, evidence of impact, and implementation strategies, making it relevant for healthcare providers, community organizers, and policymakers interested in preventative and person-centered care.

Gen V: Empowering the Next Generation of Volunteers Adam Huffman, Halifax Regional Municipality.

Today’s youth are tomorrow’s changemakers — but how do we truly capture their interest, energy, and commitment? This interactive workshop dives into creative strategies and practical tools for engaging young people in the volunteer sector in ways that are meaningful, relevant, and lasting. Whether you're just beginning to recruit youth volunteers or looking to boost retention, you'll leave equipped with fresh ideas and actionable approaches to build a strong, inspired next generation of volunteers.

 Community Event Planning  Marlo Barnes & Cassady Yochoff, Halifax Regional Municipality.

This interactive workshop is designed for you to learn the skills and knowledge needed such as marketing, logistics and volunteer management to plan successful community events. Whether you're organizing a neighborhood block party, a fundraiser, or a cultural festival, this workshop will provide you with the tools to make your event a memorable one.

 

Afternoon Workshops:

Building Inclusive & Supportive Communities by Working Smarter, Not Harder  Laurie Cook, 42 Canada Community Development.

These are challenging times.  Many people are feeling the squeeze with lack of affordable housing and other supports.  Climate change and various natural disasters are also taking a toll on our communities and volunteers. The goal of this session will be to reflect together on how to identify ways to work smarter, not harder as we look to leverage scarce knowledge, skills and experience in building more inclusive and supportive communities - while also ensuring everyone’s health and wellbeing are at the heart of the work we do.

From Story to Solution: Community Voices in a Changing World  Megan Fong, Chloe Kennedy, and Zaina Lamontagne, Halifax Regional Municipality.

Climate change is hitting closer to home here in Halifax than ever before. With the Tantallon wildfires and Bedford area flash floods of 2023, climate change isn’t just about melting ice caps in far-away places. Our local communities are feeling the effects through more extreme weather, rising costs from disasters, and health risks from things like heatwaves and invasive pests. The good news is, we have strong communities here in Halifax and our local government is investing in climate action to support communities through disaster events and reduce our emissions as a city. This is laid out in our municipal climate plan, HalifACT.  

One of the priorities for the HalifACT team is mobilizing community climate action and supporting efforts to prepare for climate events.  It is impossible to deny that our local climate is changing, and more and more residents are feeling the direct effects of hurricanes, fires, flooding, etc. It is a topic for everybody, whoever and wherever we are. During this workshop, we will explore the role of storytelling in building community relationships and understanding. Through sharing our experiences and stories, we can build relationships, expand our networks of neighbourhood supports during emergency situations and cultivate our community resilience.

Conflict as Opportunity  Darren Hirtle, Halifax Regional Municipality

Conflict is an inevitable part of any organization or team. However, when managed effectively, it can become a catalyst for growth, innovation, and stronger relationships. This workshop will help reframe your perspective on conflict and develop the skills necessary to turn challenging situations into opportunities for positive change.

Volunteer Management 101  Alexandra Cherry, Bienvenu Consulting.

Are you looking for a practical approach to update your current volunteer program practices? This activity based workshop will help you zoom out and consider each step in your volunteer program from recruitment to off-boarding. The goal is to give your some strategies to improve structures or policies to support overall program success. 

Cultivating Community (Panel)  Colleen Belle, Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia; Sylvia Parris-Drummond, Delmore “Buddy” Daye Learning Institute (DBDLI); Lani Poce, Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS); Liz MacBeth, Community Navigator, Independent Living Nova Scotia (ILNS); Mike McKinnon, Musquodoboit Harbour Chamber of Commerce.

This interactive panel discussion brings together community leaders who are actively involved in nurturing community cohesion to share their experiences and discoveries on creating spaces for support and collaboration within communities. The panel will share essential insights on connecting with and understanding the unique needs of diverse populations. This discussion will emphasize the value of centering community and explore ways for intentionally cultivating community connections. It is designed to inspire group discussion amongst organizations as it will focus on exploring ways to maximize engagement. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with the panelists during a Q&A period. 

Micro Neighbourliness  Kate Moon, Halifax Regional Municipality

In this engaging and interactive workshop, we will explore the power of micro-neighborliness and its potential to create stronger, more connected communities. Micro-neighborliness refers to the small but impactful acts of kindness, consideration, and support that can transform a neighborhood into a nurturing and compassionate environment. Participants will discover how these simple gestures can foster a sense of belonging, trust, and empathy among neighbors, leading to a thriving and harmonious community. By the end of this workshop, participants will be equipped with practical skills, knowledge, and motivation to embrace micro-neighborliness and play an active role in cultivating a more caring, connected, and resilient community.

Volunteer Conference Resources

Check out our new catalogue of volunteer resources and toolkits in October 2025.

What past participants have said about the annual conference:

• “I really look forward to it every year.  I find it really inspiring and energizing.”
• “Great experience. I learn something new every time I attend.”
• “Exceeded my expectations.”
• “Great variety of topics.  Excellent networking opportunities.”  
• “It was very informative and a lot of fun!”
• “Always an amazing opportunity to network and learn.”
• “Amazing! I feel energized and excited to put to use all the suggestions and strategies I learned.”