By Chris Foster, CAVR - Chair, Professional Development

Beautiful Vancouver British Columbia was a great host city for a wonderful CAVR National Conference – Branching Out, from June 12^th to 15^th.

Responsibility towards the environment was key at this conference!  The planning committee ensured environmentally responsible practices as much as possible and feasible for the 2011 CAVR Conference. They selected a hotel with a zero waste management program, utilized digital marketing tools such as: websites, social media and email to promote the conference, processed registrations and payments online, and offered workshop handouts on USB sticks! Yeah, team!

AVRBC proved to be great partners for CAVR, as well as amazing event planners; from the incredibly energized and dedicated planning committee, to amazing feats of sponsorship achievements. As noted by Debbie Kennedy, CAVR President, this group was “like a runaway train”!

Networking and nibbles during a unique welcome reception was a great kick-off to the 3 day conference. Delicious BC food, a power point presentation highlighting BC’s great lifestyle and attractions, live music and a warm welcome from the conference planning committee, Debbie Kennedy CAVR President and the Squamish Nation, reeled in the 2011 delegates.

Concurrent workshops and plenary sessions kept delegates engaged and inspired. They were varied, thought provoking and educational. Watch for follow up information on the CAVR conference website! www.cavrconference.ca

Hospitality Suite was the place to be, to kick back, enjoy fellow delegate’s company, and bid on some great silent auction items. BC fare was served and proved to be delish! CAVR celebrated 25 years with an exquisite cake that was served to those who attended CAVR’s hosting night on Sunday.

Information sharing was happening amongst all of the delegates. Since it’s difficult for everyone to get together like this when an amazing group of Volunteer Administrators do – they know share, share, share – you come home with new ideas and energy for your volunteer programs.

New directions in Volunteer Management focused on highlighting that our profession is more sophisticated than simply bringing on new volunteers and putting them in empty roles. The conference sessions were thought-provoking and presenters shared their best practices with their colleagues.

Gala evenings don’t get much more fun than this! Abdominal muscles were tested, via extreme belly laughs, on the evening of the 14^th when the Vancouver Theatre Sports League put on a great improv show, similar to the television show “Whose Line is it Anyway?”

O‘ccupational standard for administrators of volunteer resources’ was the big news shared at this year’s conference. Delegates heard more about CAVR’s partnership with the HR Council for the Nonprofit Sector to develop and validate a national standard for our profession. Watch for more information, on the CAVR website and register with the HR Council to be a participant in upcoming workshops.

Unique opportunities were provided to delegates during the morning of the 15^th. Delegates could choose between 3 different touring options. They could visitVancouverAirport – YVR, Vancouver Aquarium orSt. Paul’s Hospital to have a sneak peek at those volunteer programs in action!

Thank you to the fabulous conference planning committee volunteers. A job extremely well done! Hope to see you all next year at the conference! Location: TBA


2010 Conference Summary 

CAVR Conference 2010

In Reflection

by Susan de Seguin, CAVR – Chair, Professional Development

Delegates from across Canada converged on St. John’s Newfoundland, on May 30^th, to learn, collaborate, network, share experiences…..and “get screeched in”!

If the engaging key note speakers and workshops weren’t enough to keep your mind occupied and enthusiasm piqued, the hospitality and entertainment were sure to impress. Topping it all off, this lucky group of delegates was treated to the delightful sounds of Ennis, and the opportunity to speak to the musical artists, purchase CD’s, and get autographs!!

To ensure delegates experienced the other vast flavours of St. John’s, they were given the chance to visit local tourist attractions, such as Cape Spear, Signal Hill and Quidi Vidi. For the braver souls, a Haunted Walk was arranged through downtown St. John’s; others ventured out to George Street to experience the nightlife of the pubs that line the quaint cobblestone streets.

Our colleagues from B.C. provided a fun and entertaining teaser of what to expect from the 2011 CAVR Conference location. This added only more enthusiasm and energy to an already successful hospitality room and silent auction. To find out more about the conference sessions, please visit our website at www.cavrcanada.org.

Thank you NLAVR planning committee!

‘Til next year,everyone!

Congrès de l’ACRB 2010

En rétrospective

Par Susan de Seguin, ACRB

Responsable du développement professionnel

Les délégués de tout le Canada se sont réunis à St-John’s, Terre-Neuve,

le 30 mai, pour apprendre, collaborer, établir un réseau de contacts, partager des expériences… et « embrasser la morue ». Si le dynamique orateur et les ateliers n’avaient pas suffit à vous garder l’esprit occupé et l’enthousiasme constamment sollicitée, il était assuré que l’hospitalité et les divertissements vous impressionneraient. Et pour couronner le tout, les délégués ont eu la chance de se délecter de la musique du groupe Ennis,l’occasion de parler aux artistes, d’acheter un CD et même d’obtenir un autographe!!

Pour s’assurer que les délégués découvrent d’autres saveurs de St-John’s, on les a invités à visiter des attractions touristiques locales comme Cape Spear, Signal Hill et Quidi Vidi. Pour les plus courageux, une promenade hantéea été organisée dans le centre-ville; d’autres s’aventurèrent sur George Street pour faire l’expérience de la vie nocturne des pubs qui s’alignent le long des pittoresques rues en pavés.

Nos collègues de la Colombie-Britannique nous ont présenté un avant-goût amusant et divertissant de ce que nous devons espérer pour le congrès de 2011. Ils ont ajouté encore plus d’enthousiasme et d’énergie à un salon d’accueil et un encan silencieux déjà très réussis. Pour en savoir plus sur les séances du congrès, visitez notre site Internet à www.cavrcanada.org.

Merci au comité de planification de NLAVR

À l’an prochain!

Volpedia, 2009 Conference Summary: In Reflection

by Susan de Seguin, CAVR - Chair, Professional Development

Over 130 delegates from across Canada converged on Edmonton, Alberta on May 31st to "Define Together. Change Forever."

From engaging keynot speakers to diverse breakout sessions, on through to the "Buy Local" Hospitality Suite and the Eat and Greet Gala, the comments were resonating...SUCCESS!

The conference steering committee did a superb job of collaboration to make sure the event went off without a hitch. To ensure visitors experienced the flavours of Edmonton, delegates were also given the opportunity to explore the River Valley, Whyte Avenue or West Emonton Mall; an eclectic mix of activities to satisfy even the most diverse group!

Conference goers were given an exhilarating teaser of what to expect from the 2010 CAVR Conference location and excitement mounts as we plan to reconnect in St. John's Newfoundland on May 30, 2010!  Looking forward to it!!

We thank everyone who participated in our exciting and educational 2009 CAVR National Conference hosted in partnership with Volunteer Alberta, Edmonton VMG and Volunteer Canada - May 31 to June 3, 2009 in Edmonton, Alberta.

Details of the 2009 Conference follows:

Keynote: Volunteer Canada update and Future of the Sector
Sunday, May 31st 2009, 7-9 pm
Speaker: Ruth MacKenzie

Guest Speaker: Greetings from the Government of Alberta
Sunday, May 31st 2009, 7-9 pm
Speaker: Dr. Raj Sherman

Keynote: Volunteer Engagement: Defining the future of the profession
Monday, June 1st 2009, 8:45-9:45 am
Speaker:
Description: The term 'volunteer engagement' is commonly used throughout the profession, but what does it really mean and how does volunteer engagement differ from employee engagement? This session will review Canadian research on engagement to provide a clearer definiion and through this, begin a dialogue on how, as a profession, we define ourselves, our purpose and our future.
Resources: powerpoint presentation

E1A - Tune-ups in the trenches: Training for tough times
Monday, June 1st 2009, 10-11:30 am
Speaker:
Description: A recent HR Council survey of employers found that 1 in 5 organizations have trouble reaching their goals because employees don't have sufficient skills.  Explore what types of training are the best fit for your team, your budget and achieving your organizational goals.
Resources: powerpoint presentation

E1B - Making Sense of Charity Taw Law
Monday, June 1st 2009, 10-11:30 am
Speakers:
Description: Do you work with Registered Charities?  Filed questions about issuing official tax receipts?  Need resources explaining Canada Revenue Agency's fundraising guidelines?  Don't know where to find the answers?  This session is designed to respond to the above questions, as well as introduce workshop participants to tools for understanding charity tax law.  The presentation team is from Charity Central, a project of the Legal Resource Centre of Alberta (LRC), created to help Registered Charities understand their responsibilities under the Income Tax Act.
Resources: none available

VM1A - Volunteer Program Mapping - Where the heck are we? Does anyone know where we are going? Evaluation, Visioning and Planning for Future successes
Monday, June 1st 2009, 10-11:30 am
Speaker:
Description: Sometimes volunteer programs can become "lost". Volunteer positions can become stagnant and we can get trapped in the revolving door of volunteer recruitment, forever searching for the "perfect volunteers" when in fact, it may be the opportunities we are offering that need evaluation.  This workshop provides an oppportunity for coordinators and those working with volunteers to stop and assess where their volunteer program is currently and where they want the program to go.  This workshop will focus on three main themes:
a) Evaluating and analyzing
b) Creating new directiosn by creating a clear volunteer program vision
c) Moving ahead - how to get a new vision integrated into the day to day activities.
Resources: powerpoint presentation

VM1B/E2B - Intersections - Immigrants and Volunteering
Monday, June 1st 2009, 10-11:30 am, 12:30-2 pm
Speaker: ,
Description: Volunteer Alberta, with NorQuest College as a major partner, is focused on the need to better understand barries new immigrants face in becoming involved in their new Alberta community.  Everywhere in ALberta the clamour for more volunteers is deafening.  Here is one solution! 'Intersections' is working towards increasing the awareness of ethno-cultural diversity in rural communities and providing organizations with training to assist them in becoming more inclusive to immigrant volunteers. While there is data on engaging immigrants in ab urban setting, Volunteer Alberta's Intersections project is unique in its focus on rural Alberta and the distinctive challenges and benefits that exist outside large urban centres.  The session will focus on Volunteer Alberta's research to date, the initial findings in the rural communities and volunteer recruitment strategies as the next step of the project.
Resources: powerpoint presenation

VM1B/E2B - Changing Faces of Rural Volunteering and Service Club Volunteers: Doing Business Differently to Reflect Changing Communities
Monday, June 1st 2009, 10-11:30 am,  12:30-2 pm
Speaker:
Description: Rural volunteering is effected by our changing global economic factors and changing demographics.  Rural communities are experiencing a decline in population and age disparities create challenges for organizations in smaller communities.  Communities are seeing fewer people to draw upon for leadership roles.  Not only does this have an effect on rural communities but Canada as a whole with regards to our service clubs.
Resources: powerpoint presentation

VM1C - Igniting Resilience (Resilience at Work...Bouncing Forward)
Monday, June 1st 2009, 10-11:30 am
Speaker:
Description: Many organizations are experiencing more to do, in less time and with fewer resources. Simply managing our stress is not enough.  Resilience is a critical skill for individuals and teams to bounce back during change, demanding times and following adversity.  In this interactive workshop, participants will discover a number of ways to enhance their personal and professional resilience levels.  Participants will also: Engage in several team and individual stress management, resiliency building and lifestyle management activities; Complete a Resiliency Pledge, and; Explore strategies to ignite resilience both at work and in their personal lives.

E2A - "The Times They Are A Changing" - Change Management without Bob Dylan
Monday, June 1st 2009, 12:30-2 pm
Speaker:
Description: The question of change is no longer when, but how much and how fast.  The ability to facilitate positive change is a skill that is crucial to organizational survival.  Increasing demands, shrinking resources require a pragmatic and thoughtful approach based on fundamental theories and practices.  Now is the time to take advantage of the opportunity to integrate change into the culture of your organization.  The excitement of innovation and unity of purpose will move your agency forward in a time when others are frozen by fear of change.

VM2A - Harnessing the time and talent of Baby Boomers
Monday, June 1st 2009, 12:30-2 pm
Speaker:
Description: The 55+ crowd of retiring baby boomers is the most under-valued and under-used resource in voluntary sector organizations. The HR Council will provide an overview of a project it has begun that aims to tap into the talents of that generation for both paid and unpaid positions in voluntary sector organizations.  Participants will be made aware of a range of tools and information that will help them align the skills and knowledge of their human resources with the work that needs to be done to achieve organizational results.

VM2B - Get Creative, Get Tech-Saavy: Volunteer Recruitment & Management Tips for the 21st Century
Monday, June 1st 2009, 12:30-2 pm
Speaker:
Description: In this session, volunteer managers will learn to break out of the box when it comes to volunteer management: how to use the latest technology to recruit and keep volunteers engaged, creative ideas for volunteer recognition, and innovative structures for volunteer programs.  Expect to come away from this session with tons of best practices and practical ideas that can be implemented easily in your organization.
Resources: powerpoint presentation

VM2C - Media Relations - Telling Your Story
Monday, June 1st 2009, 12:30-2 pm
Speaker:
Description: Nonprofits and the Media.  This workshop is designed to cover teh basics of operating a 'Successful MEdia Campaign', covering topics such as News Releases, Media Sponsorships, News Conferences and Media Kits, Key Messages, How to Recognize Media Opportunities, PSAs and Advertising, plus a very important item: Reputation Management.

E3A - Risk Management: Not just insurance
Monday, June 1st 2009, 2:15-4:30 pm
Speaker:
Description: Risk Management is so much more than insurance! Learn about practical, easy to implement, common sense strategies to present your organization as a best practice model of risk management! Ensure your organization's good work continues with the confidence that the organization is protected.  Volunteer Alberta partners with the Co-operators, a national insurance company offering Community Guard, an innovative pilot program specifically for Alberta's Nonprofit/Voluntary Sector.  Ensure your organization's good work continues with the confidence that the organization is protected.
Resources: powerpoint presentation

E3B - Courageous Dialogue at home and at work
Monday, June 1st 2009, 2:15-4:30 pm
Speaker:
Description: How many times have you cringed at the thought of having to confront a person's difficult behaviours?  Wondered if you avoid the person the situation would improve? Pass the situation along to someone else? Try to smother them with kindness?  Been kept up at night worrying about how to deal with a situation?  This session will provide you with a number of success factors, including: a 4 Step model to address and manage conflict, 10 keys to dealing with difficult people and the VALUE method of communication to respond with skill and confidence.

VM3A - Health Care Sub-sector Discussions
Monday, June 1st 2009, 2:15-4:30 pm
Speaker: Mary O'Neill (facilitator), Gordon Spurrell, Colleen Watts
Description: Take advantage of this unique opportunity to meet with your colleagues and network.  Join in on an open floor discussion where you can ask questions, raise concerns, bring forth comments and find SOLUTIONS unique to your sub-sector.

VM3B - Arts, Culture, Sports, Recreation Sub-sector Discussions
Monday, June 1st 2009, 2:15-4:30 pm
Speaker: Colleen Wilson (facilitator), Russ Dahms (facilitator)
Description: Take advantage of this unique opportunity to meet with your colleagues and network.  Join in on an open floor discussion where you can ask questions, raise concerns, bring forth comments and find SOLUTIONS unique to your sub-sector.
Resources: none available

VB3C - Social and Environment Sub-sector Discussions
Monday, June 1st 2009, 2:15-4:30 pm
Speaker: Leslie Cleary (facilitator)
Description: Take advantage of this unique opportunity to meet with your colleagues and network.  Join in on an open floor discussion where you can ask questions, raise concerns, bring forth comments and find SOLUTIONS unique to your sub-sector.


VM4A - Technology Panel
Tuesday, June 2nd 2009, 9-10:30 am
Speaker: Scott Lundell (facilitator), , ,
Description: In this session, volunteer managers will learn to break out of the box when it comes to volunteer management: how to use the latest technology to recruit and keep volunteers engaged, creative ideas for volunteer recognition, and innovative structures for volunteer programs.  Expect to come away from this session with tons of best practices and practical ideas that can be implemented easily in your organization.

VM4B - Creating an informative and motivating Volunteer Handbook
Tuesday, June 2nd 2009, 9-10:30 am
Speaker:
Description: Participants begin to put together an informative, concise and attractive handbook for potential, new and current volunteers.  Working with templates and various examples participants can create the handbook that works best for their own organization.  Whether you are stating a n ew volunteer program or revamping an established handbook, we will use examples, interactive discussion and shared experiences to put together a custom-made Volunteer Handbook perfect for your organization! volunteer Manager should bring along a copy of their own handbook, volunteer job descriptions, and volunteer application to share and discuss with the group.  The more ideas we can draw from, the better!!

VM4C - Marketing - What money can't buy?
Tuesday, June 2nd 2009, 9-10:30 am
Speaker:
Description: Recognizing the current demographic trends of Volunteering and Participating, counts indicate that the numbers of volunteers are decreasing; the number of hours per volunteer is increasing.  This means that 25% of the volunteer population contributes 70% of the total volunteer hours.  If these current trends continue, the impact will be detrimental to the quality of life for our citizens.  We will examine the importance of being the motivator rather than just teh role of scheduler, coordinators, or manager, and the need for strategic planning for retention and recruitment in volunteer management.  We will examine recognizing the impact of volunteerism on our service delivery, programs and staff moral and the impact of volunteerism on the benefits to a healthy lifestyle; mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.  We will look at the "change factor" for marketing a "lifestyle".

CAVR Round Table Rotations: Standards of Practice
Tuesday, June 2nd 2009, 10:45 am - 12:15 pm
Speakers: Suzie Matenchuk, Donna Carter
Description:  A “standard” is something set up and established as a rule for the measure of quantity, value or quality. CAVR members were able to review the CAVR Standards of Practice which were incorporated into Volunteer Canada’s Code for Volunteer Involvement in 2001. The handouts attached (perhaps link them to the handouts) provided members with some suggestions on how to utilize the standards.  Download the Standards from the CAVR website: http://www.cavrcanada.org/standards_parctice.html. For more information contact the .
Resources: Using the CAVR Standards, 10 Ways to Use the CAVR Standards

CAVR Round Table Rotations: Code of Ethics
Tuesday, June 2nd 2009, 10:45 am - 12:15 pm
Speaker:
Description:

The Dimensions of Ethical Conduct is a document developed by CAVR members to reflect the beliefs of the organization around the rules that govern our behaviour.  With the increase in ethical expectations of both organizations and employees, Administrators of Volunteer Resources are often involved in discussions around values and behaviours.  The Code of Ethics can provide a practical framework for guiding dialogue and decision-making.