November 2009 E-bulletin

FEATURE ARTICLE
Membership at Volunteer Canada: What can it Get You?
RELATED RESOURCES
Resources Related to Volunteer Canada
TIPS AND TOOLS
Screening: Dispelling Myths
SPECIAL EVENTS
Strengthening Non Profits Workshop Series
Coming Soon: Books for Breakfast
So You Want to Start a Not-For-Profit: Good things to Know Before you do Good
Capacity Building: One Cinnamon Bun at a Time!e
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Help for Small and Rural Charities
Recreation Connections for Community Volunteers Conference
NEWS FROM MANITOBA ASSOCIATION FOR VOLUNTEER ADMINISTRATION


FEATURE ARTICLE

Membership at Volunteer Canada: What can it Get You?

Volunteer Canada enables volunteerism by supporting and guiding others in their work – including businesses, families, youth and older adults. Since 1977, Volunteer Canada has promoted and enhanced volunteerism through ongoing programs an dspecial projects, and has provided leadership on issues and trends that affect civic participation in Canada.

Becoming a member of Volunteer Canada means that you are supporting this important work to strengthen and foster volunteerism into the future – what better way to demonstrate that you believe in volunteering and recognize the value of the volunteer contribution to your organization and to this country. In addition, as a member of Volunteer Canada:

• You have the opportunity to exchange and share knowledge about volunteering;

• You can participate in activities aimed at achieving leadership and excellence in volunteerism throughout Canada; and

• You will join thousands of others interested in these same goals – people who will mutually benefit from this opportunity. Your annual membership also entitles you and your organization to these tangible benefits:

• Access to new information on volunteerism and the voluntary sector in Canada through our speakers’ bureau, trainers and consultants, print resources and Volunteer Canada’s e-zine, eVOLution;

• A kit containing free promotional material for Volunteer Canada’s annual National Volunteer Week campaign;

• Special discounts and benefits to help you with your National Volunteer Week promotional activities;

• Special discounts on resources available through Volunteer Canada’s online store;

• Access to knowledgeable and experienced staff team members who can respond to your questions and assist you in identifying relevant resources to enhance your organization’s capacity to involve volunteers;

• Participation in Volunteer Canada’s governance, leadership and product development;

• An exciting partnership with Aon Reed Stenhouse that qualifies Volunteer Canada member organizations of all sizes for discounted Directors’ and Officers’ Liability insurance as well as General Liability insurance (discounts of up to 30% off standard insurance packages – subject to approval by Aon Reed Stenhouse);

• Inclusion in our online members’ directory with a hyperlink to your own website; and

• Use of the “Member of Volunteer Canada” logo on your letterhead and other publications.

For more information, or to become a member, go to www.volunteer.ca.

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RELATED RESOURCES

Resources Related to Volunteer Canada

All Resources Available at the Volunteer Manitoba Resource Room

Books

Advocacy on the agenda : preparing voluntary boards for public policy participation. By Annette Hegel. 2003. 56 p. Call #: 303.3 HEG 2003

This manual will give the reader an overview of the public policy process with the intention of demystifying public policy participation and advocacy.

Safe enough? Reviewing your screening practices. By Maria DaSilva. 2006. 48 p. Call # : 658.3 VOL 2006

A voluntary, self-administered checklist developed for groups and organizations to assist them with a screening performance review. It complements other resources on screening for positions of trust.

Volunteering… : a booming trend : experience personal fulfillment and satisfaction later in life through volunteering. 2000. 20 p. Call #: 361.3 CAN 2000

Directed at motivating and encouraging baby boomers to volunteer. Personal stories of rewarding volunteer work are included.

Video

The power of many = La force du nombre. 2001. English, French, and bilingual segments of 4-5 min. each.

A snapshot of voluntary activity in celebration of International Year of Volunteers 2001. A celebration of the unique contribution volunteers make to Canadian society and across the globe.

Internet

The Canadian Code for Volunteer Involvement http://volunteer.ca/volunteer/pdf/CodeEng.pdf

A road map for voluntary organizations, large or small, that proposes strategies to effectively involve volunteers and to integrate volunteer involvement strategically into the organization.

Volunteer Canada’s Topics and Resources
| http://volunteer.ca/en/resources

A wealth of online resources on a wide range of topics associated with voluntarism.

- For a list of books available to borrow from our resource library, plus other websites follow this link... 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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TIPS AND TOOLS
Screening: Dispelling the Myths. An excerpt from the Volunteer Canada website

The media has perpetuated the belief that child sexual abuse is the only risk organizations face.  This narrow focus can lead organizations to neglect other possible harm to the communities they serve.  A screening policy should be a safeguard from all possible risks. Here are a few examples of situations that actually happened along with some suggestions on how they might have been avoided.

A volunteer treasurer in Edmonton stole more than $57,000 from the community league.  She stole the money to support a gambling addiction.  She had a previous conviction for stealing $25,000 from another community league.  Many organizations only consider conducting police records checks on volunteers who are put in one on one relationships with vulnerable clients.  It is absolutely necessary to think about your clients’ safety but you must also consider the “health” of your organization.  A police records check or a policy of two signatures on cheques might have prevented this incident from happening.

Religious scams are also very popular.  Some volunteers seek positions working with the elderly to either convert them or to convince them that contributions to a particular organization will guarantee their entrance into heaven.  These elderly victims often believe that this is what they have to do to be saved.  Volunteer orientation sessions outlining exactly what volunteers are, and are not allowed to do, can go a long way in preventing this type of situation.  Advising potential volunteers that there will be random spot checks for those who work one on one with clients may also discourage inappropriate behavior.

This is an excerpt from Volunteer Canada’s website.  To borrow any of our resources at Volunteer Manitoba, 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

Strengthening Non Profits Workshop Series

The Canadian CED Network (CCEDNet), Community Economic Development Technical Assistance Service (CEDTAS), and Volunteer Manitoba invite you to attend the following workshops designed to address critical capacity needs of non-profit organizations.

• November 17: HR Basics In any organization, it is important to attract, retain, and develop strong workers and leaders. This allows for better program implementation and development, and decreases staff turnover and conflict. In this workshop, participants will explore basic HR system elements such as orientation details, contracts, policy manuals, and job descriptions, and focus on performance reviews and other issues facing Non-profit organizations.

• December 1: Proposal Writing Learn more about funders, what they are looking for and how they select winning proposals. Learn how to lay-out and write a credible, easy to read proposal that meets your funders' needs. This workshop will examine strategies and develop effective techniques for writing successful proposals for organizational funding or project support, and is ideal for those who have to write convincing documents to secure necessary funding and resources for their project, program or event.

• December 8: Evaluation Although their work is meaningful, many organizations may struggle with how to demonstrate to funders and the wider public that their programs are important. In addition, organizations may need to determine for themselves whether programs are effective or whether they should be changed. This workshop explores different conceptualizations and approaches to program evaluation.

For more information or to register click here.

Coming Soon: Books for Breakfast

Volunteer Manitoba is pleased to announce an exciting new workshop series titled “Books for Breakfast”. The idea for this workshop stems from the already popular Volunteer Voncouver version. The first sessions will take place in the Millenium Library, and will involve a presenter who reviews a book somehow related to the not-for-profit sector. This will lead to a follow up discussion and presentation about the book and how it relates to not-for-profit work. Stay tuned for more details and registration information

So You Want to Start a Not-For-Profit: Good Things to Know Before You do Good

This workshop is an introduction to the not-for-profit sector and what you need to do before you start “doing good”. Work through an exercise to clarify your goals and explore what type of not-for-profit would be best.  The workshop is free, takes place on November 23rd from 2:00pm to 4:00pm at the Canada Manitoba Business Service Centre, 250-240 Graham Avenue, and will be facilitated by Alana Palmer and Erik Butenschon from Volunteer Manitoba. To register click here.

Capacity Building: One Cinnamon Bun at a Time!

Stop in on your way to work for coffee and cinnamon buns while we discuss volunteer job design theory online recruiting, and how to build capacity within your organizations. This will include an overview of Volunteer Manitoba’s workshops and services. The course is free and will include cinnamon buns. Pre-registration is mandatory. For registration and more information click here.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Help for Small and Rural Charities

Small and rural charities are often overwhelmed by the paperwork and keeping up with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) regulations. As volunteer board members change, transferring the knowledge and the files can be a challenge. The Charities File: On Board has launched a web-site and will be hosting a series of training events throughout Canada to help board members of small and rural charities. Training sessions delivered via webinars, tele-learning and local in-person workshops are now being offered around the country. Contact Paula Speevak Sladowski at 613-520-520-2600 ext. 1835 for more information.

Recreation Conference for Community Volunteers

Join us November 6th-8th in Brandon for the Recreation Conference for Community Volunteers. This years theme is “Vision and Value: Volunteers”, and the weekend will include keynote addresses from speakers such as Jody Urquhart, a former stand-up comedian and internationally recognized professional speaker, and Dr. Sid Frankel and Dr. Dean Kriellaars from the University of Manitoba. Session topics include everything from “Fundraising 101” to “Engaging Youth in Active Community Citizenship”. Click here to register.

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NEWS FROM MANITOBA ASSOCIATION FOR VOLUNTEER ADMINISTRATION

“Increasing Accessibility: Eliminating Barriers to Volunteering for People with Disabilities”

Volunteers of varying abilities make an increasingly important contribution to social and economic wellbeing in society today. This vast and often untapped market of potential volunteers represents a significant portion of our society. As such, including this group in our recruitment plans aids us in diversifying our talent pools.

Ensuring that volunteering is inclusive and open to all is not easy. It requires an active commitment and hard work from many individuals throughout organizations. It requires a commitment to provide meaningful assignments for volunteers, and an acceptance from employees at all levels to welcome all volunteers to join the team.

In some cases, it is hoped that these actions can introduce basic job skills to volunteers. Then, conceivably they may develop and learn enough skills to enter the job market thus, in some cases, breaking a cycle of poverty and dependence on outside assistance. Together we are empowering people to make positive changes in their lives.

The provincial government has introduced a program that will assist with breaking down some of the barriers that exist in bringing volunteers of various abilities into our organizations. The Rewarding Work strategy was created to reduce poverty and to support sustainable employment.  Of this overall strategy, the Rewarding Volunteer Benefit is just one aspect.

The Rewarding Volunteer Benefit began in February 2009. It allows persons with disabilities on Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) who do volunteer work to receive an extra monthly benefit. The benefit will encourage and reward volunteerism and cover related costs. People who volunteer at least four times per month will receive $50. People who volunteer at least eight times per month will receive $100 per month.

Tim Herkert, has been a Project Specialist for two years with the Community Services Delivery division of the Department of Family Services & Housing and with the Department for over 25 years.  In that time, he has held many roles including Income Assistance Counsellor, Program Specialist, EIA Director and as an FSH Area Director.  He was also the Director of the Social Services Appeal Board for a number of years.

Presently, Tim is with a special projects unit that plans, supports and assists in initiating strategic service delivery initiatives across the range of supports being provided to Manitobans by the Department of Family Services & Housing.  These include delivery of income assistance, vocational rehabilitation, children’s special services, support living, and childcare programs.

On Thursday November 19, 2009 from 11:30am – 1:30pm at the Westwood Community Church (401 Westwood Drive) MAVA will proudly present Tim Herkert as he brings information about:

“Increasing Accessibility: Eliminating Barriers to Volunteering for People with Disabilities”

Plan to join us for this informative event. For registration information please click here.