2019 Volunteer Conference Workshops
Our 19th annual volunteer conference will take place Friday, Nov. 15 and Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019 at the Atlantica Hotel Halifax. Browse through our list of workshops below before registering.
Friday morning workshops
Social Media 101
Megan Couture & Maggie-Jane Spray, Corporate Communications, Halifax Regional Municipality
Social Media is an excellent tool to connect with your audience. Participants in this session will learn how to use various platforms effectively, tips on social media etiquette, and how to use targeted marketing tools to engage the public.
Action Planning
Blaise Landry, Sport Nova Scotia
This workshop will discuss the importance of an organization having a plan with measurable targets or priorities. The workshop will provide an overview of various types of planning/priority setting options, and tools to assist with the implementation and monitoring of success.
Understanding Financial Statements for Non-profit Organizations
Bruce MacInnis, Chartered Professional Accountants of Nova Scotia
This workshop is a well-rounded look at the financial aspect of a non-profit organization. Topics covered include the roles and responsibilities of management, board and auditor, financial reporting and key financial statements.
Strengthening your Board
TBD - more information to follow.
Discover Your Strengths
Community Health Team Staff, Nova Scotia Health Authority
Recognizing and understanding your own strengths and using them in your daily life can help you deal with difficult situations and find more meaning. You will participate in group discussions and activities to discover your own strengths and you will learn how to apply them to real life situations, so you can benefit from them.
How to Engage Your Community
Philip Hammond, Parks & Recreation, Halifax Regional Municipality
You have a desire to connect with your neighbours and a few great ideas you want to make happen. Now what? This workshop will introduce you to the engagement spectrum, identifying stakeholders, various ways of gathering feedback, hosting engagements and communication throughout your project.
Friday afternoon workshops
Online Community Building
Megan Couture & Maggie-Jane Spray, Corporate Communications, Halifax Regional Municipality
You’ve built an online community through social media – but how do you manage it? From comments and replies, to retweets and shares, the approach you take to managing your social media pages can help form your relationship with your audience.
Board Member Responsibilities
Grant MacDonald, Governing Good NS
This workshop will look at the board of directors governance work with respect to organizational structure, by-laws, policies, goal setting and evaluation. Some attention will be given to the role of the chair and other officers and to the expectations of individual directors. Participants will also gain some understanding of risk management, the Volunteer Protection Act and how volunteers other than the board fit in the larger picture.
Grant Writing
TBA
There are so many facets to writing a great grant application. Topics explored will include communicating vision, project goals & impact, timelines and budget, as well as components to pay attention to after receiving a grant.
Why Engage Youth?
Adrianna MacKenzie, Chebucto Connections
Have you ever thought about engaging young people in your group or committee but don’t know where to start? This workshop is about understanding why and how you turn that why into appropriate opportunities for young people within your organization. With 2 hours we will start to scratch the surface and set people up with some ideas and things to walk away with and develop at home.
Cultural Humility
Huwaida Medani & Ayo Aladejebi, Office of Diversity & Inclusion, Halifax Regional Municipality
While volunteerism provides opportunities for many to serve and learn, it has also become an avenue for connection, integration and building relationships. This workshop will look at the concept of Cultural Humility as a tool for success for volunteers in a world of multiple ideas and diverse worldviews.
The workshop will make distinction between cultural humility and cultural competency and why they matter to volunteerism. Participants will be led through interactive activities aimed at developing a collective understanding of how employing Cultural Humility better equips us –both as individuals and communities –to understand and accomplish an inclusive environment with mutual benefits and optimal service delivery.
Conflict can be an Opportunity
Max Chauvin, Zatzman Sportsplex
Conflict is a part of our personal and professional lives. Many people shy away from conflict to the determent of both parties and the organization. In this workshop we explore the opportunities that conflict creates. Chances to build loyalty and commitment within the organization. The chance to create stronger bonds with those we serve. The chance to make things better for everyone. Using a series of core principles and some improv techniques participants will leave the workshop ready for the next conflict that comes their way and be able to achieve a more positive outcome.
Saturday workshops
A Roadmap to Success: Why Succession Planning Matters
Veronica MacNeil
Let’s create a practical roadmap to guide the ongoing process of attracting and retaining your talented team. We begin with your organization’s story and then focus on finding, engaging and retaining our valuable volunteers. Retiring volunteers are also part of succession planning. Participants will develop a clear succession planning process for their organization, including a calendar of steps. Be prepared to share ideas, experiences, tools and templates.
Authentic Fundraising and the Art of Asking
Dana Lipnicki, Ecology Action Centre
We all know that fundraising is a critical component of any group or organization. Despite this, most people feel uncomfortable when it comes to asking for donations to support the important work that they are doing in their communities.
In this workshop, participants will hear about a variety of fundraising methods, and learn tips and tricks to make asking easier. This workshop promises to be very participatory and attendees should expect to step outside of their comfort zones and ASK!
Leadership 101
Halifax Regional Municipality Staff
Have you been thinking about taking on a leadership role with a neighbourhood project or at the Board table? Are you a current leader who would like to learn a few new things? Take a giant step toward your goal by joining us as we talk about the skills, tips, and tricks great leaders use every day. We’ll cover topics such as communication, public speaking, effective meetings, and more.
Talking Circles
TBD
More information to follow.
Stronger Together: Collaboration & Partnerships
Rebecca Bishop, Parks & Recreation, Halifax Regional Municipality
Drawing on the establishment of The Den, Sackville’s Multiservice Youth Centre, this workshop will discuss the entire spectrum of collaboration that lead to this ongoing partnership. Areas will include partner identification, types of involvement, resource allocation, working through challenges, communication and evaluation, using a collective impact model.