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January 15, 2021
Posted by: Tracy Douglass
As the song goes, Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes; (Turn and face the strange). Facing the strange is such an interesting way to describe how the non-profit sector has been pivoting and shifting this past year, showing our nimbleness in times of turmoil. I know we are tired, but we can't let up yet. There's so much more to do.
The exciting thing is that over the past year we've built up a great deal of experience on how to adjust and change very quickly. We've tried out new ideas, learned from mistakes, and because of this trial by error, our skills have improved. Looking back, we should all be proud of what we've accomplished.
Although, didn't we all wish for more time to test the waters before jumping right in? Wouldn't it have been nice to have more time to anticipate change and plan?
When writing this blog post, I did a quick search to see if there was a recommended ratio of time that we should spend planning vs time spent on doing. Scott Ambler, VP for Disciplined Agile, writes about the Agile-Driven Projects approach, and suggests a ratio of 1/5. However, every situation is unique. It was a given, though, that every project should have a plan, just that the plan should not prevent a project from starting. You can plan as you go!
Three Agile planning tips:
Spending some time anticipating different scenarios and how to respond to them will increase your response time. We do this all the time when we write policies. Its part of our culture and norms. The challenge is to plan for something with so many unknowns, like the end of a pandemic.
So what's your plan, how will you be 'facing the strange' this year? I'd love to hear from you. Email me at tracy.douglass@volunteermanitoba.ca and share your plan!
~Tracy
Need some help planning for 2021? We've partnered with Volunteer Ottawa to bring you two workshops:
Business Continuity Planning, includes working through a scenario, 2-part workshop: February 2 AND February 4, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM, $95
Developing an Organizational Return to Work Plan, February 17, 2021, 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM, $50
Here's to the end of 2020! We want to thank all of you for your continued support during the past year - and what a year it has been! On behalf of the board and staff here at VM, we hope everyone has a safe and wonderful holiday season, and that you are able to take time to rest and connect safely with your loved ones.
We will be closed from December 24 to January 4 but before we take a break, we'd like to leave you with our annual list of how to get involved over the holidays. Volunteering has remained a very important part of our communities and there are still many ways you can give back, safely, over the holidays.
Enjoy the season and we look forward to seeing what 2021 will bring!
Warm wishes,
~VM
In spite of the pandemic restrictions, there are still many ways you can give back over the season and have a meaningful volunteer experience. Check out our list of ways you can get involved and give back over the holidays!
Volunteer Manitoba's team grew a bit bigger this past month. We would like to welcome Harvey Yu! Harvey is from the University of Manitoba. He is currently studying Recreation Management and Community Development and will be working with Volunteer Manitoba to complete his fieldwork placement. Harvey will be with us until the end of December where he will be working on Volunteer Manitoba's Community Outreach, specifically with the VM Youth Program.
Most of September Harvey has been working closely with Kamillah El-Giadaa, our Youth Program Coordinator, to help youth find places to volunteer this Fall. Volunteering provides an opportunity for all of us to learn more about ourselves and our community. For students and young adults, volunteering can also help you learn about different career paths that may interest you, finding your passion and can help you develop useful skills. So we asked our Harvey Yu, what are his top 5 reasons to volunteer!
1. Build and Develop Community Ties
2. Give Back to the Community
3. Be a Part of Change in the Community
4. Learn New Skills
5. Gain New & Insightful Experiences
Got a question for Harvey? Want to find out where you can volunteer next? Email Harvey at Harvey@volunteermanitoba.ca !
VM Youth Hub Final Report - your input is needed!
Last September, Volunteer Manitoba hosted the VM Youth Hub - a special event on youth engagement in Manitoba. Over 90 organizations and groups came together to discuss their youth programs. The event was an opportunity for organizations to learn, network and share resources to allow for better collaboration across the province. The data that was collected is being reviewed and will be included in a final report on youth programming in the province.
The purpose of this final report on youth programming is to locate pressing challenges and gaps impacting the quality of service distribution in the youth sector. As an organization currently working with youth, we need your input to help us identify this information for the final report.
Please take a few minutes (approx. 5 -10) and complete our survey before July 31, 2020. Everyone who completes the survey will be entered into a draw for a free, full-day Volunteer Manitoba workshop (valued at $145)
Click here to start the survey!
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact
Qudus Abusaleh
Research Assistant
E: qudus@volunteermanitoba.ca
Volunteer engagement, within the context of a public health crisis, raises many questions as organizations assess the evolving risks and needs in our communities. From healthcare centres to long-term care homes, shelters to food banks, Manitoba's non-profits and charities are on the frontlines supporting and serving communities during this unpredictable and tumultuous time of COVID-19.
We also know this is a challenging time in terms of managing our human resources - staff and volunteers, and ensuring critical services are still offered to those who need them. During a state of emergency, there is an increase in both need and demand, and for many of us volunteering is a way we can contribute and help during this pandemic.
Volunteer Manitoba works with hundreds of non-profits, charities, special events and community groups across Manitoba to support and assist with recruitment, retention and recognition of volunteers. To help you identify where to volunteer your time, and how to keep yourself, your community and organizations safe, we have pulled together 3 options for Manitobans to get involved and give their time.
A volunteer program is an important extension of every non-profit organization, charity, and healthcare centre because volunteers are intrinsic to the ongoing delivery of programs and services in our communities.
Volunteer programs have dedicated staff who manage, supervise and support the volunteer team as they work together to achieve the organization's mandate. Volunteer Programs follow the Canadian Code for Volunteer Involvement, and utilize the Screening Handbook, to ensure that people's skills are matched to the work being done, that the quality and safety of programs and services are maintained and improved (where needed), and that the risks and liabilities for people and organizations are reduced.
Many volunteer programs in Manitoba have suspended all activities for the time being. We recommend reaching out to the organization directly to learn if they require support at this time.
We will continue to support our non-profit and community partners who are reliant on volunteers to deliver services and needs to the communities they serve. We will highlight any urgent need for volunteer support during the COVID-19 pandemic on our website and via our social media platforms.
You can also contact us directly for a list of organizations currently needing volunteer support - email kamillah.elgiadaa@volunteermanitoba.ca for more information.
Community-Led volunteering is a grassroots effort, where people within a community come together to serve a cause or address a need. Communities will often come together to fundraise for a cause, celebrate a milestone, or if there is a state-of-emergency that requires everyone to get involved.
Community-Led volunteers still follow a process, and a reporting structure is in place, but the process for achieving the shared goal may be less formal than in a volunteer program.
To learn more about community-led volunteering in your region, we recommend connecting with your local municipality.
Most informal volunteering is reciprocal, when people take turns helping each other in a way that is not coordinated by an organization. It's a very common way for people to help out, and over 80% of the population does it.
What does it look like? Informal volunteering is helping your neighbours, friends, family members and people you may know and trust. It happens in neighbourhoods, through faith-based activities, and in social groups.
If you want to help out informally, please connect with your neighbours, friends and family via email, telephone or leave a note on their mailbox or door step.
If someone asks you to do something you cannot (or should not do), let them know that you cannot help. Suggest they contact us at info@volunteermanitoba.ca and we can help refer them to a volunteer program that may be able to help, or a non-profit service provider they can access.
Before you offer your time, please ask yourself "Am I well enough to volunteer?" and "Have I been in contact with someone who is unwell?" Your safety and limiting the spread of COVID-19 is the priority. If you are unwell or you have been in contact with someone who is unwell, DO NOT VOLUNTEER.
Volunteer Manitoba shares the recommendations of the chief provincial public health officer and encourages all Manitobans to engage in good social distancing protocols, including practicing following the 3P's - protect yourself, protect your loved ones and protect your community. For more information visit www.manitoba.ca/covid19.
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