February 2009 E-bulletin

FEATURE ARTICLE
Introducing the 26th Annual Volunteer Manitoba Awards Dinner
RELATED RESOURCES
Volunteer Recognition Ideas and Resources
TIPS & TOOLS
Rewarding Your Volunteers
SPECIAL EVENTS
Executive Director Leadership Group
Community Disaster Resiliency Workshop
VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION
Highlighting a Few 2008 Award Winners
ANNOUNCEMENTS
MAFRI/MCSC Workshops
Survey on Program Planning and Evaluation Needs in the Community
Wanted: Arts & Cultural Organizations to participate in short survey
Nomination Forms Available for Awards Dinner
Ticket Order Forms Available for Awards Dinner

FEATURE ARTICLE

Introducing the 26th Annual Volunteer Manitoba Awards Dinner
Written by Erik Butenschon, Community Outreach Coordinator

As the need for volunteers rises during times of economic downturn, so does our need to appreciate and understand them. Especially in the social services sector, times of economic recession create a greater demand for voluntarism. What better way to show your appreciation of the immense skills, knowledge and commitment that volunteers have than by nominating someone for an award at the Volunteer Manitoba Awards Dinner?

By now, most of us are aware that outdated things like Length of Service Pins or Certificates are in many cases inadequate and inefficient ways to reward volunteers. Inefficient because rewarding time spent at an organization does not reward specific, short-term accomplishments, and inadequate because they do not accomplish what receiving an award can.

Award recipients, whether groups or individuals, can parlay an award into things like increased credibility and notoriety, media coverage, improved motivation, enhanced funding prospects, and community support in general. Winning an award, or even being nominated, can also increase awareness about a person or program within an organization. Other workers or volunteers in the organization become more aware of what volunteers are actually doing, and thus become more appreciative.

Winning an award can also improve volunteer recruitment potential. When people notice a program winning an award, they are attracted to it and want to become involved.

The 26th Annual Volunteer Manitoba Awards Dinner takes place on Wednesday, April 22nd, at the Winnipeg Convention Centre. Over thirty awards are presented to Manitoba’s volunteers and the companies and media outlets that support them.

For more information on our awards dinner, and to download dinner ticket order forms and volunteer nomination forms, go to: http://www.volunteermanitoba.ca/newsite/awards_dinner.htm

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RELATED RESOURCES

Volunteer Recognition Ideas Available On Our Website

Resources from Volunteer Manitoba's Resource Library: (to borrow any of these resources contact our Resource Coordinator, 477-5180, vmresource@mts.net)

Volunteer Manitoba has a list of websites, books, and volunteer recognition ideas on our website for anyone to access:

- For a list of ideas to help you recognize your volunteers during National Volunteer Week in April, or anytime, click: http://www.volunteermanitoba.ca/newsite/recognition_ideas.htm

- For a list of books available to borrow from our resource library, plus other websites, click: http://www.volunteermanitoba.ca/newsite/recognition_resources.htm

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TIPS & TOOLS

Rewarding Your Volunteers
An excerpt from “Accent on Recognition: Saying Thank You to Donors and Volunteers.” (Available in Volunteer Manitoba’s Resource Library)

“Assign them a title, job description, schedules, evaluations, working space, and treat them personally. Although you don’t want to give volunteers too much to do, they’ll feel satisfied that you’re treating them with as much care as you would an employee of the organization. Just as you could not function without your employees, you need your volunteers.

Fringe benefits or premiums can also recognize gifts of time or talent. These may include:
• Discounts on services rendered by your organization • Passes to lectures, games, dinners, luncheons, or other programs
• Free or discounted cafeteria meals
• VIP parking passes • Free library cards

This book is available in our resource library. To borrow any of our resources, contact our Resource Coordinator at 477-5180 ext. 223, or Toll-free at 1-888-922-4545 ext. 223, or via e-mail vmresource@mts.net .

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SPECIAL EVENTS

Executive Director Leadership Group – Registration Starting

Volunteer Manitoba provides senior leaders the opportunity to participate in an Executive Director Leadership Group. The group meets 4 times over the course of 2 months beginning in March. The 2009 schedule and registration forms are now available: click here...

Community Disaster Resiliency Workshop with Karen-Denise Cyr

Volunteer Manitoba will be holding a “Community Disaster Resiliency” workshop:
March 4, 2009
9:00am - 4:00pm
at the Victoria Inn, Winnipeg

Facilitated by Karen-Denise Cyr, this workshop will address the following:
How would your facility hold up in the case of a disaster, and how would your staff and volunteers communicate? How long would your reserve resources hold out? What would happen to those who depend on your agency if you’re not up and running, or can’t meet the extra service load? Do you know your local emergency authorities—and do they know the needs and strengths of your clients the way you do? To register, and for more information, click here.

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VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION

Some Highlights of the 2008 Awards Recipients

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S VICE-REGAL AWARD: Sandra Lynn Dzedzor

Since 1980, Sandy Dzedor has made it her personal goal and commitment to revitalize the Point Douglas neighborhood she lives in. Upon moving to the area, Sandy has dedicated countless hours to making the community a safer place to live and was instrumental in resurrecting the Point Douglas Residents Committee. Sandy was well aware of the problems the community was facing when she moved into the Point Douglas area and as a result she organized picket lines and lobby groups to shut down a local grocery store where illegal activities were taking place. Through Sandy’s efforts to rid the community of unwanted activity, that same grocery store was transformed into a resource centre for women to address the needs of the women in the community.

Sandy also volunteered her time to lobby various government agencies for funding for programs like Neighborhoods Alive!, and Population Health and Community Mobilization, both of which are run out of the new centre which is currently known as SISTARS (Sisters Initiating Steps Towards a Renewed Society).

MAYOR'S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD: Art City

For ten years, Art City has brought the gift of art programming and community service to people who live in the heart of West Broadway. And each year hundreds of volunteers donate their time and energy to ensure that high quality art programming continues to be offered to people of all ages wishing to express themselves in a creative way.

Through the volunteers at Art City, hundreds of people have benefited from the guidance and support Art City has offered to them, particularly when it comes to youth programming. Art City’s innovative programming has filled a large gap that exists in youth programming in the inner city by offering new and valuable opportunities to children and youth in an environment that is safe, comfortable and supportive.

Behind its colourful exterior, Art City continues to be a popular meeting place for the West Broadway community. Open over 300 days a year and with more than 4,800 visitors, Art City embodies a true spirit of community volunteerism.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S AWARD: Colleen Smook

For the past five years, Colleen Smook has raised thousands of dollars and several tonnes of non-perishable food items for the local United Way and Salvation Army. Each winter Colleen dedicates her time and energy to transform the McCreedy Campground into a virtual winter wonderland filled with eye-catching Christmas lights and festive displays. Her commitment to the winter wonderland has created a way for others in the community to be generous as well. This past winter a local business donated the funds to bring in ice carvers and a bus was provided for seniors and elders who wanted to visit the winter haven.

Colleen is also responsible for coordinating food for the community’s annual Hug-ins. This retreat was held for youth from all over the north to come together, meet new friends and attend workshops on addiction, suicide and spirituality. Up to 300 youth attended these conferences and Colleen tirelessly prepared up to six full meals a day for the teens and their leaders over the course of the weekend.

Colleen is truly a volunteer with many talents and accomplishments and her efforts in making her community a better place to live are appreciated by those who have been fortunate enough to cross her path.


ANNOUNCEMENTS

Partnership with MCSC

An exciting partnership between Volunteer Manitoba was established last year to develop and deliver workshops to a variety of community volunteers and staff to address the challenges facing smaller rural communities. Each workshop package contains a workshop manual for all participants as well as a trainer’s manual and PowerPoint presentation. Through assistance from Manitoba Culture, Heritage, Tourism & Sport Regional Managers and Community Recreation Directors, 15 workshops were delivered from over the past year. These workshops include:
• Bookkeeping Basics for Non-Profits
• Effective Communication
• Effective Community Fundraising
• Encouraging Community Involvement
• Roles and Responsibilities of the Board
• Strategic Board Governance
• Successful Project Planning
This year, MCSC has committed additional funds for further workshop deliveries to smaller Manitoba communities along with the development of French versions of the developed topics. As well, 1-hour seminars/webinars are planned for delivery.

Partnership with MAFRI

We are pleased to announce that a new partnership with Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives (MAFRI) was recently established by their Rural Leadership Specialists – Organization Development group that provides all RLS access to volunteer management information and tools. The goal of this partnership was to increase the knowledge and skills of volunteers in rural Manitoba recognizing that small community organizations have limited budgets for training. Rural Leadership Specialist staff are now able to deliver seven of Volunteer Manitoba’s workshops (funded by MCSC). Volunteer Manitoba designed these workshops for a variety of community volunteers and staff to address the challenges facing smaller rural communities. For a small license fee, a workshop manual is provided to copy and hand out to all participants. RLS staff will be provided with a trainer’s manual and PowerPoint presentation from Volunteer Manitoba.

Wanted: Arts & Cultural Organizations to participate in short survey

ANNOUNCING A NEW CAPACITY-BUILDING INITIATIVE FOR ARTS AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS: INITIATING AND MANAGING COLLABORATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS.
This new course is being offered through a partnership between Arts & Cultural Industries Association of Manitoba (ACI Manitoba), Volunteer Manitoba (VM), and course creator/trainer Sue Hemphill, Organizational and Human Resources Development Consultant and Arts-based Community Developer. Additional funding from the Manitoba Arts Council (MAC) and The Winnipeg Foundation makes this new course possible!

If you are an Arts & Cultural Organization, please take 5 – 10 minutes to complete an online needs assessment survey: http://www.creativemanitoba.ca/index.php?pid=50
This survey is intended for a senior person in your organization (e.g. Executive Director, Board Chair, Program Manager, etc.) that is involved in collaboration or is aware of who is involved in those types of relationships and projects.

Survey on Program Planning and Evaluation Needs in the Community

Volunteer Manitoba and Health in Common are working in partnership to conduct a survey on Program Planning and Evaluation training needs in the community. The purpose of this survey is to assess current capacity in program planning and evaluation and enhance future training opportunities. Volunteer Manitoba is hoping to offer a new course titled “Applied Program Design and Evaluation for Non-Profits” aimed at Executive Directors, Managers, Program Coordinators and Program Planners. Information gathered from this survey will inform the development of this course along with other potential training opportunities in program planning and evaluation.

The survey is confidential and should take approximately 5 minutes to complete. Please follow the link below to access the on-line survey. We apologize for any cross-posting to those of you who receive emailing from both organizations. Thank you for your participation. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=5I0KHMf%2b2tHF7GLitFVILQ%3d%3d

Nomination Forms Available for Awards Dinner

Lets all show our appreciation to volunteers in Manitoba! The 26th annual Volunteer Manitoba awards dinner is on Wednesday, April 22nd at the Convention Centre in Winnipeg. The deadline for nominations is February 27th (the deadline for the Premiers award is February 20th). The different categories for nominations are as follows:
- Golden Hand Award (for media)
- HSBC Bank Canada Business Award
- Investors Group Arts and Culture Award for Volunteer Excellence
- Lieutenant Governor’s Make a Difference Community Awards
- Mayor’s Volunteer Service Awards
- RBC Financial Group Local Hero Award
- Premier’s Volunteer Service Awards (English) or (French)
- Volunteer Manitoba Award for Outstanding Community Leadership (no nomination form).

You can find all of the different nomination forms here: http://www.volunteermanitoba.ca/newsite/nomination_forms.htm

Ticket Order Forms Available for Awards Dinner

Ticket Order Forms are now available for the Volunteer Manitoba 26th Annual Volunteer Awards Dinner on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at the Convention Centre in Winnipeg. Reception is to begin at 5:00pm with a dinner and awards presentation to follow at 6:00pm. Tickets are only $45.00 per person.
For tickets, and more information, go here: http://www.volunteermanitoba.ca/newsite/awards_dinner.htm