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?