Volunteer Summit 2025

VOLUNTEER SUMMIT DETAILS 2025

 Time

 Activity

 8:30 -   9:00

 Registration & Networking

 9:00 -   9:15

 Welcome

 9:15 -   10:00   

Keynote Speaker: The Power of Local: Reigniting Volunteerism in Rural Communities with Max Chauvin  DETAILS TO FOLLOW

 10:00 -   10:15   

Coffee Break

 10:15 -   11:00  

Summit Session #1: Don't Just Recruit Volunteers, Let's Build A Community! with Heather Killen, Volunteer Nova Scotia

Want to create a space where volunteers feel seen, supported, and motivated to stay? With a bit of planning and preparation, you can create a powerful network of passionate people who are truly invested in your mission. We'll dive into the latest trends in volunteering, both nationally and right here in Nova Scotia. We'll talk about who's volunteering, what motivates them, and how they prefer to give their time and skills. We'll show you how to shift your focus from simply filling spots to strategically planning for your volunteers. This means creating clear, compelling volunteer job descriptions, setting up an effective onboarding process, and providing the tools and support people need to succeed. When volunteers feel valued and prepared, they're more likely to feel a sense of ownership and purpose.

 11:10 -   12:15    

Breakout #1: Please choose from 1 of the following four options (pre-registration is required)

1. Grant Writing 101 - If you are new to writing grants, or have some experience and want some tips, this workshop is for you! Anna Haanstra, Regional Manager on the South Shore with the Province of NS, will share information on what to before searching for grants, where to find grants, tips and insight into how to submit a strong application and demystify some common questions about what makes a successful application. This session will include a presentation, discussion and list of local grant sources to take with you.

2. Community Halls Revitalization - Community Halls and other similar gathering spaces are a cornerstone of our rural communities. This presentation, with Andy Thompson and   Meagan MacDonald from Aging Well Nova Scotia, will provide an overview of local transformation projects, before and after photos of community halls in rural Nova Scotia, an exploration of working collectively to source funding, and first-steps on community hall transformation in your area!

3. Fun-Fueled Fundraising: Turning Good Times into Great Results - When fundraising’s fun, everyone wins. Join Kristi McKee and Lisa Tanner from the Jennifer Collins Classic to discover creative ways to connect with your audience, make giving enjoyable, and maximize your funds raised.

4. Social Media and Basics of Marketing & Promotion - Kelly Duggan and Olivia Malley from Sport Nova Scotia will guide you through the fundamentals - like creating a marketing  strategy, brand building, advertising, and leveraging digital and social media channels to build awareness of your organization in the community.

 12:15 -   1:15

Lunch

 1:15 -   2:20 

Breakout #2: Please choose one of the following four options (pre-registration is required)

1. Grant Writing 101 - If you are new to writing grants, or have some experience and want some tips, this workshop is for you! Anna Haanstra, Regional Manager on the South Shore with the Province of NS, will share information on what to do before searching for grants, where to find grants, tips, and insight into how to submit a strong application and demystify some common questions about what makes a successful application. This session will include a presentation, discussion, and list of local grant sources to take with you.

2. Uniting for Impact: Collaborative Strategies in Volunteering - This informative, interactive, and action-orientated session, brought to you by Louise Pomfrey-Talbot and Louise  Hopper from Nova Scotia Health, will share insights about the factors that impact volunteering and participation in community. On their own, organizations may find it hard to tackle the challenges facing their communities. In this training, we will explore how working together can help us use our combined strength. Participants will learn practical ways to collaborate as volunteer organizations and work towards shared goals.

3. Bookkeeping for Non-Profits 101 - During this session, Cy Mayo from Belliveau Veinotte will discuss various topics for non-profit entities relating to day-to-day operations types of non-profits, accounting basics, governance responsibilities, and financial and tax reporting. Covering such things as:

• Non-Profit vs Registered Charity
• Responsibilities of Board Members
• Basics of Bookkeeping; Basics of Financial Reporting
• Budgeting
• Discuss what financial statements are
• Tax reporting for Non-Profits...and much more!

4. Social Media and Basics of Marketing & Promotion - Kelly Duggan and Olivia Malley from Sport Nova Scotia will guide you through the fundamentals - like creating a marketing strategy, brand building, advertising, and leveraging digital and social media channels to build awareness of your organization in the community.

 2:30 -   3:40

Summit Session #2: Welcoming Newcomers: Engaging through Volunteerism with South Shore Multiculturism Society, YReach, and the Town of Bridgewater. 

This interactive workshop will help you gain insights into the benefits of involving newcomers, explore their unique challenges, and discover practical recruitment strategies. This session  will feature first person newcomer narratives, multimedia presentations, small group brainstorming, and will provide you with the knowledge to facilitate strategic planning to attract  newcomers to your organization. 

 3:40 -   4:00

Closing, Door Prizes and Grand Prize