OAVR Newsletter
- September 2019 -
“Think of giving not as a duty but as a privilege.” ―John D. Rockefeller Jr..
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Message From The Co-Chairs
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Welcome back regular routines! We hope that you enjoyed your summer, we know we did. We are very excited about all of the great things that are coming your way in the next few months.
One of them is Hybrid Conference that OAVR is hosting again in Ottawa on October 23. This is an amazing opportunity to learn what is new in Volunteer Management field, network with local volunteer resources professionals and enjoy great food. Registration is now open through our website. Please note that last year it sold out in just in a few weeks. So you might want to get your ticket early.
Also we’re looking to find out what members are doing to combat the recent charges to the Police Check fees. Please share with us your organizations strategy and plans on how to address this. You can share this with us at chair@oavr.ca.
We have an amazing and diverse board this year and are excited to bring Board Bios to you in the upcoming months. This will be a great opportunity for us to share variety of sectors and expertise that we represent.
As OAVR Co-Chairs we will continue to share with you updates and exciting news, quarterly!
Note that inspired us: While talking to a volunteer who celebrates her 25 anniversary with an organisation I realized that I never think about how my work will impact the future (usually I think in 5 year plans). How will the work that I do now effect the organization in 20 or 50 years from now? What will matter? Also, we are really good doing exit surveys and asking people why they leave. What about a survey asking people why they stay? We'd love to hear your thoughts!
Denise Hawken and Ulyana Osorio
Co-Chairs
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OAVR is increasing our membership fee to $35 per year. This is because we are committed to offering our members better programming, more networking and professional development opportunities, and a better framework to discuss the important issues in volunteer management.
We look forward to continuing to provide you with high-quality benefits year-round!
To save $5 purchase your Membership and Hybrid Conference ticket at the same time for a total of $70.
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Get excited! The 2019 Volunteer Management Hybrid Conference is right around the corner. Register today here!
Costs for Hybrid Conference
$40 - for members
$60 - for non-members
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This is the place where members can ask questions about everything related to Volunteer Management!
This month's question comes from the OAVR Board:
"With the recent Vulnerable Sector Check fee changes coming into place this month, we would love to hear how your organization is handling the changes to the fees. Will your organization be covering the costs or will you expect volunteers to absorb the cost?"
To respond, email newsletter@oavr.ca!We will post a round up of the answers next month!
To submit your own question, email us.
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VMPC National Conference -> June 8-10 2020 in Saskatoon.
PAVRO -> May 14-15 2020 in Toronto
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Volunteer Services Coordinator AKA Mom!
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Volunteer Services is often the mom of the office. As Volunteer Services Coordinator’s we often hold the one position that has a full understanding of every aspect of the organization. We are here to help support every department and generally in the know about most things.
The downside of this is that we are often the go to person for everything and we live in a world of constant interruptions and multi-tasking. On the flip side most of us thrive in this type of environment and although it is our biggest complaint we wouldn’t have it any other way.
But like all moms we need to remember to take care of ourselves. We are marvellous at encouraging others to use volunteers in busy times but often don’t take the time to set up a viable volunteer team to help us meet the needs of everyone else in the office. I know, you are too busy for that now and will get to it when things slow down a bit. But I’m here to tell you, you are too busy not to do it.
It is like the old airplane adage of giving yourself oxygen before your child or you won’t be there to take care of them. We need to start to practise what we preach and our department is an amazing opportunity for HR students, new Canadians and stay at home moms who want to re-enter the work force.
As long as we ensure they have average computer and language skills these individuals are stellar at assisting with updating our endless excel lists, ensuring screening steps are completed, doing reference calls, updating paper and electronic files, the list is endless. Volunteers who work in a particular program are also our best resources for training and mentorship of new volunteers. We just need to give ourselves permission to take care of us first in order to set things in motion.
I used to share a video about a peer support program and in it a caregiver said “it wasn’t until I took the time to talk to someone and take care of myself that I realized I could take much better care of my husband”, so take one step today to help yourself so that you can better take care of all those around you.
- Laura Lafantaisie, Hospice Care Ottawa
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Want to go down memory lane?
You can check out past OAVR newsletters here!
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Webinar - September 12
Is your organization wanting to engage more volunteers? Often one of the biggest challenges to a new model of volunteer engagement is the resistance of paid staff. If you've never worked with volunteers before, it can be scary.
In this webinar you will discuss strategies for working with paid staff to engage volunteers, what you can do to alleviate fears, and how you can train/support your coworkers as they become responsible for managing volunteers.
To learn more and register for this webinar on Build Staff Buy-In for Volunteer Engagement, click here.
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Webinar - September 17
Interviewing each prospective volunteer can take a lot of time, but it is one of the best ways to ensure that the volunteers you recruit are the volunteers you need.
This webinar introduces you to a variety of question types you might want to use in your next volunteer interview. It also offers strategies for honing your interview skills and materials to help you implement this process in your organization.
To learn more and register for this webinar hosted by VolunteerMatch on Successful Volunteer Interview Strategies, click here.
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Workshop - September 17
Not sure how to deliver projects or where to even start?
Volunteer Ottawa is partnering with NPO PM Training.org to offer this one-of-a-kind opportunity for non-profit organizations: a Project Management skills workshop, followed by one-on-one support coaching. This workshop will provide you with skills to achieve better project outcomes, to utilize your resources efficiently, plan and execute more consistently, reduce “Scope Creep” and uncontrolled change, and so much more.
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Webinar - September 18
You have decided to implement a background screening program, but where do you start?
Criminal Record Check is the first step but a good background screening program is so much more than that. There are many other things to consider including, such as Vulnerable Sector Check and Global Screening. During this webinar, you will receive recommendations about putting together a proper background screening program for your organization.
To learn more and register for this webinar on Defining the Background Screening Program, click here.
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Workshop - September 24
Volunteers who are well-trained and who understand the organizational context of their role will not only be more effective but they will have more reason to continue volunteering with your organization!
This workshop will explore orientation and training, and how each fits in with volunteer onboarding. You will come away with strategies to develop better practices at your organization so that your volunteers are well prepared for their position.
To learn more and register for this workshop on Volunteer Management: Orientation & Training, click here.
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Webinar - September 26
We all want to make our volunteers feel welcome in our organization, and create an inclusive and engagement culture. But, it can be hard to recognize what your current culture says to volunteers, or identify how to make changes.
This webinar will help you identify how your organization's current culture is shaping or limiting what volunteers do, and provide steps you can take to start to create more understanding, respect, and appreciation for engaging volunteers.
To learn more and register for this webinar on Creating a Culture of Volunteer Engagement, click here.
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Workshop - September 30
Your time is a valuable asset that when optimized correctly, can provide exponential results. However, time-management is only one piece of the productivity equation.
This seminar will outline how to make effective use of your time and how to manage your energy and attention, respectively. As well as discuss ways to manage your priorities, avoid distractions, improve your focus, and review strategies for protecting your time.
To learn more and register for this workshop on The Art of Time-Management, click here
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Workshop - October 1
Are you trying to develop a volunteer handbook for your organization and not sure where to start?
Take this workshop to set up your volunteers for success, and learn how to develop a volunteer handbook, that contains clear outlines for policies, procedures, and guidelines. Setting your volunteers up for success, as they will be able to clearly understand their roles and responsibilities.
To learn more and register for this workshop on Creating a Volunteer Handbook 101, click here.
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e-Volunteerism Free Articles of the Month
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In this Points of View, Rob Jackson and Erin R. Spink consider the “wisdom of Seth” – Seth Godin, is a Hall of Fame marketer, and a hugely popular daily blog writer about marketing. As they dissect his work they identify different perspectives, thoughts, and ideas that Volunteer Engagement professionals should consider, and explore. You never what helpful tips you will find when studying a totally different fields!
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In this Voices feature, e-Volunteerism presents a compilation of brief, personal views from stakeholders in various volunteer fields – a diverse set of voices speaking out on everything from the “dark side” of credentialing to the validation offered by certification to debating whether credentialing is even necessary.
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Interested in reading more? Subscribe to e-Volunteerism to get access to current volunteer management articles in each quarterly issue, and 18 years of archives!
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OAVR's Mandate:
 To promote professionalism in volunteer resource management To support our members in the pursuit of their goals To provide a forum to share information and resources To network with peers
OAVR's Goals:
Exchange ideas and resources
Share information and concerns
Networking
Socializing
Offering support and encouragement to members
Liaising with organizations involved with volunteers
Promoting professionalism among our members
Assisting our members with their professional development
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PDU Reminder:
Don't forget that Professional Development Units can be applied to written submissions to this newsletter!
If you're working towards or maintaining your CVA or a similar certification, part of the application process requires a minimum number of PDUs.
So get writing and share your expertise with your fellow volunteer managers by submitting your articles to newsletter@oavr.ca!
Publishing:
Writing related to volunteer resources management (blogs, articles, research reports, website content, etc.)
500 words = 2 PDUs
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