Feature Article
A Summary of the 2010 Volunteer Awards Dinner
By Kiley Dyck
To gain a full understanding of the importance of our awards dinner, read this summary of last years event, written by Kiley Dyck. Remember that the deadline for nominations has been extended to March 4th, and that there are ten different categories of awards. For all the information related to the event, just visit www.volunteermanitoba.ca
There is no better way to thank the thousands of Manitoba’s volunteers than to hold the Volunteer Manitoba Awards Dinner during Volunteer week, April 19 - 24. As Canada celebrated the millions of people who gave their time and services to helping others, on April 20, 2010, Manitobans honored only a fraction of the volunteers that help make our communities stronger.
After the official entrance of the Lieutenant Governor Philip Lee and his wife, Premier Greg Selinger and Executive Director of Volunteer Manitoba Dennis Dyck, Global News anchors Peter Chura and Shannon Martin took out their hundred-page script and began their job as Masters of Ceremonies.
Both Peter and Shannon took on the task of introducing speakers, presenters and honorees to the hundreds of people who filled the room at the Winnipeg Convention Centre. They reminded the audience that many of the services Manitobans enjoy would not be possible without volunteers. Not only was the crowd reminded of the importance of volunteers, but also TV commercials produced by Global Winnipeg showed how Volunteer Manitoba is encouraging a new generation of volunteers to embrace the power of volunteerism in our province, our country and the world.
As the evening moved on and dinner was served, the awards presentations began. Lieutenant Governor Philip Lee presented the Lieutenant Governor’s Make A Difference Award to Beggie Anderson, Mavis and Earl Asmundson, Sandra Cadieux, Dennis Dupont, Lila Goodspeed, Doreen Romanow and Anne Walker.
Premier Greg Selinger presented his first Premier Volunteer Service Award in the youth category to Charles Bergstresser and Channing Lavallé. The awards in the community category went to the Bénévoles du Centre Flavie-Laurent, Evergreen Basic Needs and Pinawa Bus Depot Volunteers. The Premier’s Award then recognized individuals, like Shelley Chochinov, Wendy Cull, Elizabeth Laschuk, Leona Nickel and Rose Taylor who tirelessly devoted their time to their communities.
Mayor Sam Katz then took the stage to present the Mayor’s Volunteer Service Award to organization in Winnipeg who donate their services and staff to helping others. From organizations to business, HSBC Bank Canada presented its Business Awards to Canadian Footwear and Maxim Truck and Trailer. Margo Goodhand, editor of the Winnipeg Free Press, presented the Golden Hand Award for media. As the awards were handed out not a single area of volunteerism in this province was overlooked. Investors Group presented its Arts & Culture Award, RBC Royal Bank honored a local hero and Manitoba Lotteries presented its Family Volunteer Award to Fred and Margaret Ann Howard for their phenomenal contribution to their community through volunteerism. People from all over the province, from so many walks of life and interests were honored. The last award, Volunteer Manitoba Outstanding Leadership Award, went to Ray Johnson from Portage La Prairie.
As the evening came to a close without a hitch and ahead of schedule, Shannon Martin and Peter Chura thanked honorees and guests for their continued support for the backbone of our province, the volunteers. As people huddled in groups talking about the wonderful evening a feeling of gratitude and appreciation filled the room. Whether you were an awards recipient or a guest everyone felt honored to be a part of the 27th Annual Volunteer Manitoba Awards Dinner.
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Did You Know?
Awards Dinner Nominations Extended
The deadline to submit nominations for Volunteer Manitoba's 28th Annual Volunteer Awards Dinner has been extended to March 4th. You can play a part in recognizing the incredible contribution volunteers make to Manitoba by nominating a volunteer for an award! The Awards Dinner takes place April 27th at the Winnipeg Convention Centre. For all information related to the nomination process, or the evening, visit www.volunteermanitoba.ca.
Custom Contracts at Volunteer Manitoba
Flexible Delivery: Where you want it...When you want it.
Volunteer Manitoba is able to deliver workshops to your organization at a time and place convenient to you with content developed to address your unique training needs. There are over 35 topics that are categorized in the following areas: Board Development, Organization Management, Volunteer Management. Our fees are extremely reasonable and are usually less expensive than sending a group of staff to our regularly scheduled workshops. Plus, you get to choose the topic, time, and place!
To discuss your training needs and our delivery options contact: Erik Butenschon, Manager, Training Department at (204) 477-5180 ext. 222, toll free: 1-888-922-4545, email to erik.butenschon@volunteermanitoba.ca.
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Related Resources
Resources Related to Publicity and Media Relations for Non-Profits
A Selection of Media and Publicity Resources Available Through our Resource Centre
Communications planning. Vancouver, BC : IMPACS, 2001. 13 p.
Call #: MVSI 09.61 IMP 2001
The reasons why a non-profit should develop a communications plan are listed in this publication together with the steps required in developing the plan.
Dealing effectively with the media. By John Wade. Los Altos, CA : Crisp Publications, Inc., 1992. 83 p.
Call #: 659 WAD
This book strives to provide the reader with the fundamental knowledge and skills needed to be comfortable, confident and effective in dealings with any sector of the media at any level.
Developing effective media communications skills : how editors choose the news. Vancouver, BC : IMPACS, 2001. 10 p.
Call #: MVSI 09.61 IMP 2001
Tips on dealing with the media in presenting newsworthy items and how to prepare for communicating with the media, on planned and spontaneous occasions.
Getting publicity. By Tana Fletcher and Julia Rockler. 3rd ed. North Vancouver, B.C. : Self-Counsel Press, 2000. xvi, 206 p.
Call #: 659 FLE
Step-by-step instructions illustrate how to attract media attention to any enterprise. The authors show how to make the most of every opportunity for free coverage in print, broadcast, and Internet media.
Handling the media. By Karen Hurt. Johannesburg, South Africa : CIVICUS, [200-]. 34 p.
Call #: L659 HUR
Also available online. Retrieved February 24, 2011.
Intended for organizations that do not have dedicated media liaison people. It contains tips, tools and ideas on how to more effectively give media interviews, send out press statements and handle a crisis that has received media attention.
Making the news : an essential guide for effective media relations. By John Longhurst. Toronto, ON : Novalis, 2006. 117 p.
Call #: 659.2 LON 2006
A book that shows non-profits ways to work with the media, including supplying the various media outlets with news, thereby telling the largest number of people about your events, programs and issues without spending a lot of money.
The networked nonprofit : connecting with social media to drive change. By Beth Kanter and Allison H. Fine. San Francisco, CA : Jossey-Bass, 2010. xix, 201 p.
Call #: 658 KAN
The authors believe that one important way for organizations to overcome the many barriers confronting them today is to embrace social media. They outline how organizations can best use social media and its power to change the way we think and work.
The new publicity kit. By Jeanette Smith. New York : John Wiley & Sons, 1995. 339 p.
Call #: 659.2 SMI 1995
The public relations-focused author shows readers how to take advantage of technology for market exposure, in addition to teaching the basics of writing news releases, holding press conferences and developing press kits.
Producing your own media. By Karen Hurt. Johannesburg, South Africa : CIVICUS, [200-]. 74 p.
Call #: L659 HUR
Also available online. Retrieved February 24, 2011.
Producing our own media as demonstrated in this book offers us the opportunity to offer alternative perspectives and information.
Promoting your organization. By Karen Hunt. Johannesburg, South Africa : CIVICUS, [200-]. 64 p.
Call #: L659 HUR
Also available online. Retrieved February 24, 2011.
The aim of this toolkit is to help organizations to achieve their aims and objectives using the active promotion of their work as one of their strategies.
Join Volunteer Manitoba for two workshops in March related to publicity and media relations. On March 10th we will be hosting a Brown Bag session, Partnerships in Publicity, with Rob Wozny of Sound Strategy Communications. On March 23rd, join us for Making the News, with John Longhurst.
Volunteer Manitoba’s Resource Centre has all of the information you need on the non-profit sector. Please call the Resource Centre Coordinator at 477-5180, ext. 223 or email for more information.
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Special Events
Special Events Happening at Volunteer Manitoba this Winter and Spring
Special Events Happening at Volunteer Manitoba this Winter/Spring
Volunteer Manitoba is pleased to announce an exciting lineup of new topics and special events this Winter/Spring.
Volunteer Manitoba is pleased to host:
Partnerships in Publicity - Brown Bag
Thursday, March 10th, 12pm - 1pm.
Join us for the latest in our Brown Bag series, Partnerships in Publicity, with Rob Wozny of Sound Strategy Communications. Registration is just $10.
Click here to register or for more information.
Making the News
Wednesday, March 23rd, 9am - 4pm.
Join veteran communicator John Longhurst as he helps you learn how to get the media's attention. Registration is $125.
Click here to register.
One of Volunteer Manitoba's most popular workshops, our Executive Director Leadership Group, will run this April and May. This program is great professional development for Executive Directors, and offers excellent networking opportunities. For more information and to register click here.
Managing a Culturally Diverse Environment
Friday, March 25th, 9am - 4pm
Join us at the new United Way building for this exciting new workshop. If you are interested in gaining a better understanding of demographic trends in the workplace, your own organization's cultural issues, or if you work in a culturally diverse environment, then this workshop is for you! Click here for more information.
Protecting Your Organization From Disaster
Friday, April 1st, 10am - 5pm
The morning portion of this workshop will help prepare your board for unexpected and unwelcome challenges. We will discuss; Preparing a Disaster Plan; The importance of an Executive Committee; and recognizing whether problems are singular or reoccurring. The afternoon will bring in an insurance expert to help you understand everything your board needs to know about Directors and Officers Insurance. Every non-profit board should have this type of coverage. Each policy must be customized to suit the needs of the organization. Sample claims will be analyzed. Click here for more information.
For a full listing of all of Volunteer Manitoba's special events, click here.
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Announcements
Association of Manitoba Museums Trivia Night
The Association of Manitoba Museums will be hosting its second annual trivia night, Saturday, March 12th. Tickets are only $15 per person, with a maximum of 8 people per group. Doors open at 7:00pm with festivities beginning at 7:30. The event takes place at The Manitoba Museum, Festival Hall, 190 Rupert Avenue. Tickets are available through the AMM office, 1040-555 Main Street. For more information please call the AMM office at 947-1782 or 1-866-747-9323.
MAFRI and Volunteer Manitoba to Host Rural Workshops
Volunteer Manitoba and Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives are excited to once again offer workshops throughout rural Manitoba this Winter/Spring. Workshops to be offered are: Bookkeeping Basics for Non-Profits, Effective Communication, Effective Community Fundraising, Encouraging Community Involvement, Roles and Responsibilities of the Board, Successful Project Planning and Strategic Board Governance. These workshops are designed for a variety of community volunteers and staff to address the challenges facing rural communities. Funds will potentially be available to lower costs for participants and the organizing agency. Please contact Lavonne Kroeker by email or 204-319-0387 for more information.
Call for Facilitators!
Volunteer Manitoba is looking to add to it's list of facilitators and consultants that it uses for providing workshops. If you are someone anywhere in Manitoba who is passionate and has experience in the not-for-profit world, and are interested in becoming a facilitator, or if you already consider yourself a facilitator or consultant please contact Erik Butenschon at 204-477-5180 or email.
Winnipeg Timeraiser Call to Artists
Timeraiser pays artists fair market value, up to $1000, for work selected. Selected pieces will help inspire people to donate their time (up to 125 hours) in support of causes that are important to them. Submissions will be selected by their volunteer jury. There are many reasons to apply to the Timeraiser: Artwork will be displayed in the offices of corporate partners and in various community spaces for the 12 months while Timeraiser participants complete their pledge. Your work will be seen by many in offices and boardrooms across Canada. To learn more about the Timeraiser program, visit www.timeraiser.ca.
Long Term and Continuing Care Association Annual Conference
Come and be inspired at the 2011 Annual Provincial Conference & Exhibition ‘Inspiring All Who Care’ at the Victoria Inn on May 17, 2011 – hosted by the Long Term & Continuing Care Association of Manitoba. Featuring keynote speaker Dr. Harvey Chochinov – ‘What’s Dignity Got To Do With it?’. A range of other topics will be presented on including oral health in the elderly, how to deal with difficult behaviours, elder abuse, and understanding palliative care needs of older adults. Breakfast and lunch included. For more information & registration visit www.ltcam.mb.ca.
MAVA News
(Manitoba Association for Volunteer Administration)
Please join MAVA for our next Lunch and Learn on March 15, 2011 entitled Diversity: A New Canadian as a Volunteer.
Immigration is a reality in Manitoba and so is our ageing population. New Canadians and older adults are a vital part of our community. Generally, organizations want volunteers to mirror the communities they serve and so many need to find new ways of including new immigrants and older adults in our organizations in a significant manner.
So how do we do that? What parameters do we set for safe and optimal placement of new immigrants in volunteer roles? Should we all have minimum standards – and what should that minimum be?
Join us on March 15th for a panel discussion on DIVERSITY: A NEW CANADIAN as a Volunteer. Panel members will be:
- Eddie Calisto-Tavares, C.I.M: President, Options for Success
- Lynn Campbell: Program Coordinator, Adult Language Training Branch, Province of Manitoba
- Margaret von LAU: Executive Director, Newcomers & Educational Development Services (NEEDS) Inc
For more information email: mavamanitoba@gmail.com
Volunteer Manitoba's Facebook and Twitter Pages
Volunteer Manitoba's Facebook page now has over 300 community minded people on board! If you are interested in a convenient place to network, share ideas or information on the not-for-profit sector, or stay tuned to special events and workshops, sign up by clicking the links!
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