The annual Volunteer Conference offers an opportunity for volunteers to connect, celebrate and develop relevant skills to help build stronger volunteer capacity across the municipality.
Delegates representing a range of organizations and causes participate in training workshops, networking activities, a keynote speech and a seated meal.
2026 Volunteer Conference
The 26th annual Volunteer Conference will be held on Monday, November 23.
Registration open September 9. Earlybird pricing is $40 until October 25. The regular conference registration fee is $75 starting October 26. Registration closes Monday, November 16.
To register, create a profile on the new Recreation registration platform then use course code: 85508 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:
- Monday, November 23 | 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- The Delta Hotels by Marriot Dartmouth | 240 Brownlow Avenue (virtual hotel walk-through)
- Registration for the 2026 Volunteer Conference
Register now using course code 85508. Create a profile on the new Recreation registration platform if you have not done so already.
Registration fees:
- Earlybird $40 | September 9 – October 25
- Regular $75 | October 26 – November 16
- Conference agenda
8 – 8:30 a.m. Registration
8:30 – 9 a.m. Networking activity
9 – 9:30 a.m. Opening remarks
9:30 – 10 a.m. Nutritional break
10 – noon Workshops
Noon – 12:45 p.m. Lunch
12:45 – 1:20 p.m. Mayor's remarks and keynote address
1:20 – 1:45 p.m. Networking activity
1:45 – 2 p.m. Break
2 – 4 p.m. Workshops
4 – 4:30 p.m. Conference closing and prizes
- Keynote speaker
The keynote speaker for the 2026 conference will be Annika Voltan, PhD
Annika Voltan is an Assistant Professor in the Management Department at Saint Mary's University, where she teaches about social and sustainable entrepreneurship and leadership with systems thinking. Annika has worked in multiple sectors including government, business, nonprofit and academia. She was the founding Executive Director of Inspiring Communities and the Executive Director of Impact Organizations of Nova Scotia. Both of these nonprofit organizations focused on systems change through supporting community collective impact and strengthening sector capacity. Before joining the nonprofit sector, Annika spent a decade as a policy analyst in federal and provincial government departments focusing on climate and social policy development. She has a PhD in social entrepreneurship and research interests in networks and cross-sector collaboration for community building and social innovation, as well as organizational and leadership behaviours that contribute to positive social impact.
- Morning workshops
Preparing to Apply for Government Funding - Andrea Redmond, NS Communities, Culture, Tourism & Heritage; Annie Kennedy, SportNS
How do you make sure your application is strong before you hit 'Send'? Project planning and community partnerships are some of the key elements of a potentially successful application and funding approval. Participants will learn: 1) Why planning ahead is so important; 2) Key elements of a project plan; 3) Importance of community partnerships; 4) How to find/learn about grant programs; 5) Application timeline planning; 6) Completing a strong application.
Getting Started with AI: An Everyday Guide for Basic Use - Dr. Angela Siegel, Dalhousie University, Faculty of Computer Science
Getting started with AI is an interactive session tailored specifically for staff and volunteers within the Municipality as well as non-profits and community organizations. The workshop aims to provide participants with a practical understanding of how artificial intelligence is already influencing everyday tasks and decision-making processes within these sectors. Through engaging, real-world examples, the session will break down complex AI concepts, tackle common questions and concerns, and highlight how AI tools can be leveraged responsibly and ethically.
Led by Dr. Angela Siegel, Associate Dean Academic for the Faculty of Computer Science at Dalhousie University, the presentation will focus on demystifying AI and equipping attendees with the language and confidence needed to navigate conversations about artificial intelligence within their organizations.
Inclusion and Diversity in Volunteering - Justin McGarragh and Charlene Kuhn, Prescott Group
This interactive workshop explores how inclusive and diverse volunteer teams strengthen our communities. Participants will look at common barriers to volunteering and practical ways to create flexible, welcoming roles that allow more people to give back, create, grow, and feel part of their community. The session is designed for grassroots volunteers and community groups and includes discussion, reflection, and small group activities.
Mobilizing Your Community - Dana Bowden, Halifax Regional Municipality
This workshop will explore the importance of community mobilization and the role relationships, trust and collaboration play in building safer, stronger communities. Having worked with the Province of NS and HRM supporting critical response, including supports in the Mass Casualty, and most recently the response to critical incidents in the HRM, Dana will draw on her professional experience, she will share practical insights on bringing residents, organizations and systems together to respond to local challenges in meaningful and community driven ways.
Participants will leave with practical ideas and tools for strengthening community engagement, encouraging collaboration and supporting positive, lasting change in their own communities which is centred in collaboration.
Welcome Works: Volunteers Helping Newcomers Thrive - Sylvia Calatayud and Rose Huh, Immigrant Settlement Association of Nova Scotia
Interactive workshop for volunteers and service providers to understand newcomers' experiences and gain practical tools to support their integration into our communities.
Measuring Impact: What Changed Because We Were There? - Tyler-Simmonds, Halifax Regional Municipality
Organizations often describe impact through hours, attendance, and activities.This workshop examines how to identify meaningful change and support it with credible evidence. Participants will examine how to identify changes associated with involvement across individuals, organizations, and communities. The workshop will also examine ethical storytelling. This includes consent, confidentiality, dignity, representation, and the risk of reducing people to hardship narratives. Participants will leave with a practical framework for answering one question with precision: "What changed because we were there?"
- Afternoon workshops
Better Writing Isn't the Answer: The Secret to Winning Grants - Amanda Rogers, iPlume Writing Inc.
Many people think grant success comes down to strong writing, but most funding decisions are made long before the first word is ever read. This practical and engaging workshop helps participants understand why grant applications are truly approved or declined. Funders look far beyond the application itself, assessing organizational readiness, project alignment, realistic budgets, measurable impact, and the overall capacity and credibility needed to successfully deliver results.
Participants will complete a Grant Readiness Rapid Assessment, review the most common reasons applications are rejected, and receive a curated list of upcoming grants and funding opportunities relevant to local nonprofits. This session is designed to help grassroots organizations strengthen their funding approach and leave with practical tools they can use immediately, including clear next steps for pursuing funding opportunities over the coming months. Rather than focusing on writing better words, this workshop focuses on building stronger applications from the very beginning.
Preventing Burnout: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of repair (and both are possible!) - Andrea Harrison and Stephen Michels, Chaplaincy branch of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF)
Volunteering can be joyful. It can also be depleting. In this interactive session, explore tools and perspectives for preventing burnout. Learn (or be reminded of) how to exercise self care through establishing boundaries, using gentle and "fierce" self compassion techniques and perspectives, engaging in discernment, and connecting with your "Why?" Cultivate resilience and joy in your role as a volunteer.
Rural Volunteering: Opportunities & Challenges – Brooke Neily and Mickie McDow, Halifax Regional Municipality
How do we move from relying on the same few volunteers to creating a broader culture of community involvement? Rural organizations across the Halifax Regional Municipality are facing growing challenges in recruiting and retaining volunteers, while demand for community programs and services continues to increase. This interactive session will explore the changing landscape of volunteerism and identify practical strategies to attract new volunteers, engage diverse community members, and reduce volunteer burnout.
Through discussion, shared experiences, and real-world examples, participants will discover ways to build a stronger volunteer culture, expand beyond the "usual suspects," and create sustainable volunteer networks that strengthen rural communities for the future. Participants will leave with practical ideas, tools, and strategies they can apply immediately within their organizations and communities.
Reaching Out 101: Tangible and Intentional Promotion and Outreach - Carmel Farahbakhsh, The Youth Project
This workshop offers space to discuss tangible skills regarding intentional and informed promotion of programs, resources, and events. We will look at supportive and low cost/barrier tools like Canva, explore the importance of accessible design, and review engaging outreach strategies.
Youth Voices in Volunteering (Panel) - Damini Awoyiga, Halifax Regional Municipality; Isaiah Cox, CavUnity Volunteer Association; moderated by Olivia Davis, Halifax Regional Municipality
This youth-led panel will highlight the real experiences and insights of young people in volunteer spaces. The conversation will explore what young volunteers are looking for and how organizations can better connect to their interests and motivations. Through a facilitator-guided conversation, as well as questions from the audience, attendees will leave with an improved understanding of youth voices in volunteering.
Navigating Change: Guiding Nonprofits through Uncertain Times - Kylene Mellor, IWK Health
The nonprofit sector in Nova Scotia is facing unprecedented challenges, including changing funding environments, rising operational costs, shifting community needs, and increasing demand for services. At the same time, these pressures are creating new opportunities for innovation, collaboration, advocacy, and community impact. This interactive workshop explores the current landscape facing nonprofit organizations and examines practical strategies for adapting to change with confidence. Participants will gain insight into emerging trends affecting the sector, identify both risks and opportunities within their organizations, and learn how resilient organizations are responding to uncertainty.
- Volunteer Conference Resources
- Volunteer Conference Supporters
- 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.”