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Track 6 – People

In this learning track, you can engage in a variety of sessions to support and build capacity in the people side of your non-profit organization.

Check back soon for updates, we are adding new sessions regularly!

  • 9:00 am – “Leadership for a Changing World” (Meghan Donohoe & Alicia Wright – Pebble)
  • 9:00 am – “Why Best Practices of Recruitment, Engagement and Retention Strategies are Essential for Your Volunteer Program” (Paula Bildfell- Heritage Park)
  • 10:45 am – “2024 – A New Era of Volunteerism” (Sheena Swierenga – Volunteer Connector)
  • 10:45 am – “EDI: Best Practices Towards an Inclusive Workforce” (Nishan Yihalem & Steve Wright – GEDI Hub)
  • 1:15 pm – “The Desire to Belong & The Power of Compassion: Prioritizing Mental Health in the Workplace” (Hanaa El Moghrabi)
  • 3:00 pm – “Welcoming & Inclusion: Breaking Down Barriers” (Paul Meunier – Federation of Calgary Communities)
  • 3:00 pm – “Preparing Boards for Conflict: A Workshop Exploring Conflict and Communication Skills to Build Strong and Resilient Boards” (Julie Hrdlicka – Conflict Revolution)

“Leadership for a Changing World”

Time: 9:00am – 10:30am

Presenter(s): Meghan Donohoe & Alicia Wright (Pebble)

Description: The workshop will examine the forces contributing to a rapidly changing world, necessitating a transformation in the way we lead. Through interactive exercises, we’ll explore how our beliefs shape our approach to leadership. We’ll equip leaders with the tools to lead effectively in a dynamic landscape, emphasizing leadership mindsets that foster a culture of adaptability, strategic thinking, and collaborative problem-solving.

To learn more about Pebble, click on any of the links below.


“Why Best Practices of Recruitment, Engagement and Retention Strategies are Essential for Your Volunteer Program”

Time: 9:00am – 10:30am

Presenter(s): Paula Bildfell, Heritage Park

Description: Join me and explore practices for growing your volunteer program. In this session you will have an opportunity to experience an Ice breaker game – a tool I use for having volunteers get to know one another and explain after why (team building). Explore the question “Are all volunteer supported organizations the same?”. Tips for building a volunteer program from scratch to a seasoned volunteer program that needs a re-fresh and how to attract volunteers, bring them onboard provide meaningful volunteer activities and appreciation of your volunteer team.

To learn more about Heritage Park, click on any of the links below.


“2024 – A New Era of Volunteerism”

Time: 10:45am – 12:15pm

Presenter(s): Sheena Swierenga – Volunteer Connector

Description: It’s a different landscape out there in 2024! Join us as we go through all things volunteerism. This session will cover current trends in volunteerism, tips on recruiting people to your cause and ways to keep people engaged. It’s a great time to kick off a refreshed vision for volunteers in your organization. 

We will examine the current ecosystem of the volunteerism landscape and apply that knowledge to the awesome work happening inside your organization.  

To learn more about Volunteer Connector, click on any of the links below.

Resources

A New Era of Volunteerism – Presentation


“EDI: Best Practices Towards an Inclusive Workforce”

Time: 10:45am – 12:15pm

Presenter(s): Nishan Yihalem & Stephen Wright, GEDI Hub

Description: Join Steve Wright and Nishan Yihalem for a dynamic presentation on fostering Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in the workplace. They’ll share personal stories and practical insights to emphasize the importance of embracing diverse perspectives and combatting unconscious bias. With a firm belief that “there’s no equity without diversity and you can’t be diverse without being inclusive,” Steve and Nishan will guide you through practical strategies and thought-provoking insights aimed at fostering an inclusive workforce.

They’ll unpack the significance of creating environments open to everyone, delve into the nuances of equity through real-world examples and confront unconscious biases head-on. Through engaging activities and visual aids, attendees will explore the intersectionality of identities and confront the reality of privilege, paving the way for actionable steps towards building a more equitable and inclusive workplace.

From redefining professionalism to embracing diverse cultures, Steve and Nishan will equip you with tools and strategies to not only navigate the challenges of today but also envision a future where EDI isn’t just a buzzword but a cornerstone of organizational success.

To learn more about GEDI Hub, click on any of the links below.


“The Desire to Belong & The Power of Compassion: Prioritizing Mental Health in the Workplace”

Time: 1:15pm – 2:45pm

Presenter(s): Hanaa El Moghrabi

Description: Mental health is still a stigmatized term with a lot of baggage. There are many misconceptions and stereotypes that end up hurting people, communities, and workplaces at large. How do we combat this? We will explore compassion, resilience, emotional recognition and regulation, the differences between sympathy and empathy and other mental health topics, and how to apply these key principles to your workplace, community, and your own world. Moreover, Hanaa will explore community resources, training opportunities, and other consulting or coaching opportunities available. Creating a workplace culture that prioritizes mental health is not only crucial for the individual well-being of employees and volunteers, but also for the overall success and sustainability of the organization.

This presentation will provide practical insights and strategies for creating a workplace culture that values and supports the mental health of its employees. By prioritizing mental health, non-profit organizations can create environments where employees thrive, ultimately leading to greater mission success and impact.

To learn more about Hanaa, click on any of the links below.

Resources

Prioritizing Mental Health in the Workplace – Presentation


“Welcoming & Inclusion: Breaking Down Barriers”

Time: 3:00pm – 4:30pm

Presenter(s): Paul Meunier, Federation of Calgary Communities

Description: How can we build a sense of community? Many of us engage with our communities without considering how we design those engagements to be inclusive. Everyone is unique and brings their own context and lived experience to the table. We all have an ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion and other factors that make us who we are and contribute to how we view the world. Without including a diverse set of perspectives, regardless of the conversation, you may be missing out on a wealth of new and innovative ideas. Join us to learn about the engagement process and how to be mindful of inclusion when engaging community.

To learn more about The Federation of Calgary Communities, click on any of the links below.


“Preparing Boards for Conflict: A Workshop Exploring Conflict and Communication Skills to Build Strong and Resilient Boards”

Time: 3:00pm – 4:30pm

Presenter(s): Julie Hrdlicka

Description: Conflict is part of the human experience. The reality is when you get a group of people in a room together chances are diverse opinions will arise.

William Sloane Coffin Jr stated that “Diversity may be the hardest thing for a society to live with, and perhaps the most dangerous thing for a society to be without.” 

Not for profit organizations and community boards are built by people with diverse backgrounds, thoughts, and experiences which make them so interesting and dynamic it also means that from time-to-time conflict will occur.

Conflict can leave us feeling powerless and stuck at the same time we can feel betrayed and disrespected by the other.

In this workshop we’ll explore what conflict is including different theories of conflict, reflect how it impacts us and practice some skills that can bring strength and clarity to ourselves, at the same time bring understanding and responsiveness towards the other person.

To learn more about Conflict Revolution, click on any of the links below.

Resources

About Transformative Practice – Handout

Conflict Theories – Handout

Empathy Circle – Handout