Mark Your Calendars...

ADVR's first meeting of the 2011 - 2012 year will take place on September 21st 2011 at 8:00 a.m.!

Please note that this is a week later than normal. We apologize for any confusion. Further monthly meetings will return to the second Wednesday of each month as usual in October.

We are also excited to announce that we are changing our meeting venue!

ADVR will now be holding our monthly meetings at Centre Street Church, located at 3900 2nd Street NE, Calgary, Alberta. A map can be found on our website at http://www.advr.ab.ca/

This is the same venue that hosted our AGM last May. Breakfast will be served at 8:00 a.m. as usual!

Looking forward to seeing you all on September 21st!

It's time to celebrate!

Hello ADVR members! Hope you are all having a wonderful summer! Just wanted to pass on a quick announcement.

As many of you may know, ADVR is celebrating our 40th anniversary over the 2011- 2012 year. The ADVR Executive is in the process of planning some exciting celebrations and activities to celebrate this great milestone, but we're also hoping to get some feedback from members on the types of celebrations they'd like to see.

If you have an idea for a fun event, or if you like to help bring someone else's idea to fruition leave a comment or visit our website to get in touch!

Volunteer Calgary - AGM

Volunteer Calgary is hosting their 2011 Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Friday, June 17th 2011, at Cardel Theater - 180 Quarry Park Blvd. This is a free event to all Volunteer Calgary members, though attendees are asked to please bring a donation for the foodbank.

Registration and a continental breakfast are taking place from 8:30 to 9:00 a.m. the program will commence at 9:00 a.m. and last until 11:30 a.m.

On the agenda will be the election of new board members, the approval of financial statements for 2010, the appointment of the 2011 auditors, and the recognition of outgoing board members. The AGM's special guest speaker will be Jocelyne Daw.

To register, email registration@volunteercalgary.ab.ca by June 10, 2011

Audited financial statements can be found on www.volunteercalgary.ab.ca

Discover your inner Volunteer...

Volunteer Canada has developed a new quiz to help potential Volunteers discover both the issues they would like to support and the type of volunteering they would like to participate in.

I've taken the quiz. It was fun and short. Apparently I'm a groupie Volunteer who thrives on camaraderie, convenience and goal orientated activities. Short-term event related volunteering is my forte.

Take the quiz and find out what drives you at http://www.getinvolved.ca/vquiz/english/index.html

Free Webinar from Volunteer Canada

Building the Bridge: New Strategies to Engage Today's Volunteers:
How New Research and Technologies Link Volunteers and Organizations

Date: Thursday, May 26, 2011
Time: 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. Eastern

This Webinar is one of many events led by Volunteer Canada to celebrate the 10^th anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers. Participants will get a sneak preview of Volunteer Canada's new assessment tool, the Volunteer Quiz (VQ), experience a virtual tour of the new website – Getvolunteering.ca, and learn about the new Get Volunteering Facebook page and app. 

Please confirm your participation by clicking on this link

As the date of the webinar approaches, those who have registered will be sent dial-in information as well as a link in order to view the presentation online.

Got Skills?

Share your knowledge and experience by joining one of ADVR’s many committees!  

This is a great opportunity for ADVR members to further engage in the development of the Volunteer Management profession, and network with other Volunteer Management professionals in the city of Calgary.

We are looking for individuals with a can-do attitude and an enthusiastic nature to join our Planning Committee, Communications Committee and our Membership Committee. These roles will require a commitment of 5 to 6 hours a month.

For more information on joining one of our committees please contact info@advr.ab.ca

Shifting Gears & Changing Lanes

When: Tuesday, June 14 and Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Where: Shaw Conference Centre (9797 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton , Alberta)
Cost: $185.00 (GST included)

For more information visit http://www.vitalizeconference.ca/

Breaking the Silence

The Volunteer Management profession tends to have a bit of a complex when it comes to social media, but there are a few voices out there who are trying to change perceptions. One of the most vocal voices is that of DJ Cronin.

DJ’s blog postings don’t shy away from controversial subjects in Volunteer Management, and he isn’t afraid to say that the field of Volunteer Management is lacking strong unified voices. He’s also figured out that to change that reality; he will have to be the strong voice he is looking for.

I encourage anyone reading this to take the time to read his blog. Technology has given us more opportunities than ever before to learn from our colleagues and friends right across the globe. Don't pass up the opportunity. Take some time today to connect and share.

ADVR Legacy Award

The ADVR  Legacy Award recognized individuals who have demonstrated outstanding or long term contributions to the ADVR.

Criteria:

The recipient demonstrates outstanding and committed volunteer service to ADVR and it’s membership

The recipient demonstrates a commitment to the goals and objectives of ADVR

The recipient actively promotes volunteer management and maintains a positive attitude

Eligibility:

Only active ADVR members, in good standing with ADVR are eligible for the award

Nominations

Nominations for the award should be submitted in writing to the ADVR Executive. The executive will select the recipient from the nominations

Recognition

The recipient of the ADVR Legacy Award will be recognized at the AGM and in the ADVR newsletter. This award will be given at the discretion of the ADVR executive – not necessarily each year.

The Association of Directors of Volunteer Resources Annual General Meeting

Come celebrate the strides Volunteer Management has taken over the last year at our 2010-2011 AGM.

Date: Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Time: 8:00 a.m. –10:30 a.m.

Location: 3900 2^nd Street NE, Calgary (The Centre Street Church)

Admission: $18.00 for ADVR members, $25.00 for non-members

Admission includes a hot breakfast. Parking is free.

ADVR is pleased to announce that Wendy Wilton of the Juggling Elephants series will be the guest speaker at our AGM. Wendy is a training consultant with Wilton Consulting Inc. where she specializes in the development and delivery of customized face-to-face and online training.   Many of you will remember The Leadership Tier I and II training which was facilitated by Wendy.

At our AGM, Wendy will use Juggling Elephants key strategies to provide humorous yet meaningful examples of how we can become more focused and productive in our professional and personal endeavors.

We hope you are able to join us! Please RSVP by May 2^nd, 2011 to Jocelyn Obreiter by phone at403-247-5485 or by email at Jocelyn.Obreiter@winsportcanada.ca

Please join ADVR at our April meeting!

Our April meeting will centre on the topic of bullying in the workplace. Discussion will be lead by experienced Volunteer Coordinator, Ruth Kenealey, and will cover the work of Valerie Cade CSP. Valerie Cade is well known for her books Bully Free at Work, and What You Can Do to Stop Workplace Bullying Now!.

Date:               Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Time:              8:00—9:45 a.m.

Location:        921—68th Avenue SE Calgary

Cost:               Admittance for ADVR members is free as is admittance for first time guests. Admittance for returning guests is $5.00

Parking is free. A continental breakfast will be provided.

Biography: Ruth Kenealey

Ruth worked more than 30 years as a Licensed Practical Nurse in various hospitals and clinical settings and held an active membership in the Association for Licensed Practical Nurses. During this time she also instructed numerous classes for women on proper pre-natal care in a Maternity Care Clinic setting. She has successfully instructed the newly developed Sibling Class Program designed to prepare children for the arrival of a newborn baby. In conjunction with this, she taught the Teddy Bear Program, which was developed to prepare children for their hospital experience.

After 10 years working in the area of brain injury rehabilitation, Ruth accepted the position of Coordinator of Volunteers with the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre. It was during her time with the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre that she developed a true appreciation and passion for working with volunteers. She considers managing and working with volunteers to be an extremely rewarding and gratifying position.

Ruth has completed her Volunteer Management Program and the Leadership Institute Tier I and II certificates offered by ADVR. Ruth is a member of the Association for Directors of Volunteer Resources and has served on the Membership Committee for several years.

Mostly recently, Ruth was employed for an eight month contract as the Resource Development Coordinator for STARS Air Ambulance. She is currently enjoying some time off at home.

Good news for anyone doing background checks in Calgary!

The Calgary Police Force is anticipating the arrival of a new digital fingerprint scanner this week. This should clean up some of the backlog that has plagued the system since new legislation mandating tighter screening was implemented last year.

Check out the full article in the Calgary Herald online.

Join ADVR at our March Meeting!

Date: Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Time: 8:00—9:45 a.m.

Location: 921—68th Avenue SE Calgary

(The Salvation Army—Glenmore Temple)

Cost: Admittance for ADVR members and first time guests is free

Admittance for returning guests is $5.00

Parking is free. A continental breakfast will be provided.

 

Topic: Ethics in Volunteer Administration 

 

Our March ADVR meeting with discuss the issue of ethics in Volunteer Administration. Discussion will be lead by Dr. Keith Seel, author of the CCVA Code of Professional Ethics. This code is based on core ethical values, and emphasizes ethical decision making as a tool.

Keith Seel, PhD

Dr. Keith Seel is the Director of the Institute for Nonprofit Studies at Mount Royal University.  Through the Institute, Keith is engages with other researchers in three broad research streams focused on Canada’s nonprofit sector: governance of the sector, policy development and analysis, and sustainability issues. 

Keith has been associated with the profession of volunteer administration since 1993 and has held board positions with the Association for Directors of Volunteer Resources and the Association for Volunteer Administration.  He has been a volunteer board member for 30 years largely in the human services field.  Currently he holds appointments to two provincial boards in Alberta with responsibilities in education and children.

Keith is the past-Chair of the national Human Resources Council for the Nonprofit Sector which examines labor force issues particular to the sector.   

As an author, Keith has been widely published in books and journals. Most recently he was the editor for Volunteer Administration - Professional Practice, a 500-page text detailing the body of knowledge associated with the profession. He co-authored the AVA Statement of Ethics and he is a major contributor to the nonprofit management series by John Wiley & Sons, New York. For the same publisher, Keith has written on ethics and its impact on management and the risks and opportunities associated with commercial ventures by nonprofit organizations, governance issues for boards of directors and sustainable development for the charitable sector.  

How do you introduce yourself professionally?

This was one of the key questions posed to us at our February ADVR meeting lead by Martha Parker. After all, our job title is a big indicator of what we do and how we spend our time.   

In short notice it became clear that everyone in the room was going by titles such as: Volunteer Coordinator, Volunteer Manger, and Volunteer Administrator. Notice a theme? The word Volunteer is preceding all our titles, implying if not outright saying, that we are all Volunteers.

When we look at issues holding back the Volunteer Management profession, this is key After all, perception is everything. At the end of the day, we need to make a distinction. We don’t want to be perceived as volunteering our skills; we want to be seen as professionals and stewards of the Volunteer community. We aren’t a part of it; we are leading it and molding it.  

So what is in a name for you? If you could change your title to best reflect your position. What would you change it to?

In volunteering news around the world

Volunteering Australia has launched their official poster commemorating National Volunteer Week 2011, and in the spirit of healthy debate Martin Cowling of The Cowling Report has asked Volunteer Mangers around the world to send him their thoughts on what they think the poster represents. What do you think? Does it inspire the Volunteer in you, or fall short? Join the debate and send him your thoughts.

Personally I think the poster falls a bit short. I think the promo material produced by our Canadian counterparts is a bit more relevant… not to mention flashier! 

Join us at ADVR's February Meeting!

February's discussion on leadership and advocacy will be lead by speaker - Martha Parker. 

Date: Wednesday, February 9th 2011

Time: 8:00 - 9:45 a.m.

Location: 921 - 68th Avenue SW Calgary 

(The Salvation Army Glenmore Temple)

Parking is free. A continental breakfast will be provided. 

Leadership and advocacy….. to accomplish what?  …..to influence what?  Stronger organizations? Better support for your volunteer programming? A strong professional association? A well respected profession?  A strong understanding for knowing and understanding the trends and issues impacting volunteerism and how you can apply that knowledge?  A dream job – one that makes you proud to say I’m a director of volunteer resources?   Let’s talk about leadership and advocacy to determine if as professionals you want to be influencers – if leadership and advocacy are in fact core competencies to aspire to?   

Biography –– Martha Parker

Martha Parker retired from her sixteen-year position as the Executive Director of Volunteer Calgary - one of Canada’s most successful Volunteer Centres - in October of 2004.   Martha served on literally dozens of community initiatives during her career. She was a member of the Joint Coordinating Committee of the National Voluntary Sector Initiative and was one of the founding members of Volunteer Alberta, the national Advisory Council of Volunteer Centres, The Canadian Federation of Voluntary Sector Networks and the Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations.  Martha is a past co-chair of the Alberta Nonprofit/Voluntary Sector Initiative – an Alberta leadership initiative focused on building a new relationship between the provincial government and the nonprofit/voluntary sector.  She was chosen to receive one of the first five fellowships presented by the Muttart Foundation (Edmonton, Alberta) in 1997.  The title of the book published as a result of her research is Partnerships: For Profits and Not-For-Profits Together. 

In the last year, Martha has been engaged with Volunteer Canada and the Centre for Excellence in Corporate Community Involvement developing and testing a number of emergent tools for encouraging strategic employee community engagement.  Both Volunteer Calgary and Vantage Point (previously Volunteer Vancouver) have been supportive of this exciting new work. Martha has been actively involved with all three of these organizations as well as Volunteer Alberta in advancing discussion and understanding of skills based volunteering.

Martha loves trashy novels and movies that make you cry.  She continues to “practice” retirement - most days unsuccessfully.

Looking for more information about National Volunteer Week?

Look no further. Click here to visit the official website

The Languages of Appreciation

At our December meeting ADVR discussed the theory of languages of appreciation. This theory, modeled on the work of Dr. Gary Chapman, asserts that there are five key ways in which to appreciate someone.

1. physical touch
2. gift giving
3. words of affirmation
4. acts of service
5. quality time and conversation

Our discussion was lead by Kerry Woodcock PhD CPCC ACC, who got us on our feet to discover not only the way in which we want to be appreciated, but ways in which to appreciate our Volunteer corps. The overarching message to us all was of course that it’s important to listen to our Volunteer’s needs and diversify the ways in which we show them appreciation, so that saying thank you is an impactful experience for each individual.  

So how do you show appreciation to your Volunteers? When was the last time your appreciation program was re-vamped? Moreover, if you asked your Volunteers if they are appreciated, what do you think they would say?