Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Trainingwww.accessforward.ca website provides free training modules to meet the training requirements under Ontario’s accessibility laws (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act). Developed in partnership with the Government of Ontario. Click here to access the training: https://www.accessforward.ca |
Act: Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations ActCanada Not-for-profit Corporations Act (S.C. 2009, c. 23)Click below to access your preferred Version : |
Board Candidate Assessment FormA set of questions that could be used at a Board Recruitment Interview which also includes a diversity lens. |
Board Composition and Recruitment MatrixA worksheet with a diversity lens free to download and customize to strengthen your not-for-profit's Board composition and to plan out Board recruitment and succession planning. |
Board Governance Training Programs |
Board of Directors Evaluation QuestionnaireAn assessment of the efficiency and the effectiveness of the entire Board as a team - as perceived by each individual member of the Board. This could be conducted anonymously, by identifying the evaluator or reaching consensus through a group discussion. Selecting the most appropriate approach of how it is done is within your discretion. Anonymous evaluations generally yield close to accurate results. |
Board of Directors Self-evaluationEncourage each individual board member to assess their effectiveness as a Board member by completing the attached checklist. This should ideally be recorded and stored as a confidential document and used only for the purpose of self-evaluation and performance management of each director. When using it as a Board Member performance management tool, it is understood that the document is confidential and will be reviewed only by those carryout out the performance discussion. |
Board Structure Chart: Working BoardThis is a template of a Working Board. Template developed by Kathleen Douglass. |
Canada’s Charitable Sector: What to Expect in 2019Canada’s Charitable Sector: What to Expect in 2019Written by John Lorinc for The Philanthropist on January 7, 2019"When the federal government released its Fall Economic Statement in November, it signaled what many in Canadian philanthropic circles would regard as a sea-change in Ottawa’s thinking about a sector that employs more than two million Canadians and accounts for 8% of the country’s GDP (Lornic, 2019)." To Read, click reference: Lorinc, J. (2019, January 08). Canada's Charitable Sector: What to Expect in 2019. Retrieved January 10, 2019, from https://thephilanthropist.ca/2019/01/canadas-charitable-sector-what-to-expect-in-2019 |
Canadian Code for Volunteer Involvement (2017ed.)The Candian Code for Volunteer Involvement (CCVI) published by Volunteer Canada is the most important resource to drive the policies and procedures of a not-for-profit organization that engages volunteers, whether Board of Directors or operational volunteers. The most recent issue is the 2017 edition published by Volunteer Canada. Download your copy from: https://volunteer.ca/index.php?MenuItemID=346 |
Certification, Certificate, Diploma, and Degree: What's the Difference?Certification, Certificate, Diploma, and Degree: What's the Difference?Written by: Shaminda Perera, MEAE | On November 6, 2018 Certification Vs. CertificateOften used interchangeably in conversation and often confused, these two terms have two very different meanings. While a certification is an endorsement of competence of professional practice, a certificate is focused on recognizing the accomplishment of a learning outcome. Certification: This is a practitioner's professional standard that has been endorsed by an establishment who is an authority in the field of practice. There generally is a process of assessing the practitioner's competency, knowledge, skills, and/or professional portfolio, and to which a recognized credential is awarded upon successful assessment. For example, the "Certified in Volunteer Administration (CVA)" credential is a certification awarded by the Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration (more details: https://www.vmpc.ca/certification.html). Through certification, the practitioner will earn a designation of which the acronym can follow the person's name. For example:
Certifications, most often come with a requirement for maintaining the designation which is determined either by a validity period, maintenance of credit units through continued engagement in professional development or the combination of the two. Regulated professions often make it mandatory for the practitioners to complete the certification and it is on a voluntary basis for non-regulated professions. However, earning the certification and displaying the designation besides the name is a mark of excellence in the individual's professional practice. Certificate: Even though it is about professional development, the outcome is pure education or learning based. There could be a method of knowledge assessment such as tests, assignments, and capstone projects. This is a one-time accomplishment which recognizes the successful completion of the education/learning program. For example, successfully passing a course that awards a "Certificate in Not-for-Profit and Volunteer Management" by a college or university will award a Certificate of Completion or Certificate of Competence. The time taken to complete the program could vary from a number of days to months. Diploma Vs. DegreeBased on learning outcomes, these two terms highlight an individual's academic excellence in a particular field of study. Diploma: This is an academic program where its intensity lies somewhere between a Certificate program and a Degree. The diploma can be awarded by a community college, university or a commercial educational institute. Most diplomas take more than one year and up to 2 years to complete. An example would be a Diploma in Learning and Development. The curriculum will ideally take a practical and skill-based value. There is a knowledge assessment methodology that determines the achievement of the diploma. Degree: A Degree is a comprehensive and intensive academic program that awards a recognized higher education accomplishment. In Canada, there are four levels of degrees that progress from (1) Associate, (2) Bachelors, (3) Masters, to (4) a Doctorate. A degree is awarded by a community college or university. The academic period can range from 2 to 4 years and maybe, even more, depending on the field of study. An example would be the Master of Education in Adult Education (MEAE) Degree. The curriculum is more focused on building the deep and philosophical knowledge of the field of study. There is a knowledge assessment methodology that determines the achievement of the Degree which generally ends with either a research-based dissertation, thesis or a capstone project depending on the level of degree. Just as it is with a Certification, Degrees too award an acronym that can be placed beside an individual's name. For example:
Here are three professional development organizations related to Volunteer Management for you to explore;
Whichever professional development initiative you are currently contemplating or you hold, its accomplishment is a mark of your commitment towards excellence in your professional practice. Learn and Grow folks. |
Charter of Volunteerism
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CNIB Ambassador Program – Training GuideA sample guide to train community ambassadors developed by Canadian National Institute for the Blind on January 2017. Shared with Permission. |
CNIB's Philosophy on VolunteerismCanadian National Institute of the Blind's philosophy on volunteerism shared as a template fo r the use of not-for-profit organizations. Shared with permission. |
Code Audit Tool (CCVI 2017ed.)Canadian Code for Volunteer Involvement - Code AuditClick on the link below to access the Canadian Code for Volunteer Involvement - Code Audit Tool. Please note that you must have a login to access this tool. Login access is given to you by Volunteer Canada once you become a member of Volunteer Canada. Volunteer Canada Membership Details: https://volunteer.ca/index.php?MenuItemID=360 Code Auit Tool: http://audit.volunteer.ca |
Competency Matrix Development TemplateHere is a template and a step by step guide to developing a Competency Matrix for a particular role. Resource developed by Volunteer MBC. |
Corporate Social Responsibility TrendsFive Corporate Social Responsibility Trends You Should Be WatchingArticle Written By: Thomas Bognanno for Forbes Nonprofit Council Introductory Paragraph in the Article: "Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has evolved dramatically over the last decade. Most companies are no longer satisfied with just writing checks to charities or sponsoring events. Now, corporate leaders are aligning social impact and employee engagement with business objectives. That means measuring results and ensuring CSR and employee engagement efforts demonstrate real value to the company." The trends mentioned in the article: (1) Authenticity Is In, (2) Communication Is Key, (3) Diversity Has Business Impact, (4) Volunteering Can Solve Business And Social Challenges, (5) Measuring Is A Must. Click Reference to Read the Full Article: Bognanno, T. G. (2018, September 13). Five Corporate Social Responsibility Trends You Should Be Watching [Web log post]. Retrieved September 20, 2018, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesnonprofitcouncil/2018/09/13/five-corporate-social-responsibility-trends-you-should-be-watching/#38d7252d2383 |
Creating a Business PlanBusiness Plan Guide"Although business plans can vary in length and scope, all successful business plans contain common elements. Get an overview of the common parts of a business plan." Click this link to read the article: http://www.cbo-eco.ca/en/index.cfm/planning/writing-a-business-plan/business-plan-guide |
Data Collection for Program EvaluationData Collection for Program EvaluationBy Northwest Center for Public Health Practice, University of Washington A toolkit developed by Northwest Center for Public Health Practice to assist with planning your own data collection for program evaluation. Click the icon below to download the toolkit. |
Data on Giving, Volunteering and Participating in Canada“Completed every three years since 1997, this is the most comprehensive study on giving and volunteering. The data give insights into the state of volunteering in Canada, including where Canadians volunteer, the types of activities they’re involved in, the volunteer habits of newcomers and the evolution of workplace volunteering in Canada. This research highlights differences in volunteer behaviour based on region and demographics (Volunteer Canada).” The data is published by Statistics Canada. Click this link to access the data: https://volunteer.ca/index.phpMenuItemID=364 |
Diversity and Inclusion: 2SLGBTQ+ Volunteer InclusionA compilation of resources (training, templates and tools) to support a not-for-profit organization with the implementation of 2SLGBTQ+ volunteer inclusion. Click the button to open the FREE eLearning module and the list of resources. |
Diversity in GovernanceA tool kit for Nonprofit Boards published by Maytree. A publication packed with tools for nonprofit and charitable organizations to assist in transitioning and maintaining a Board that reflects the communities it serves. Click the reference below to open the PDF version of the publication. Reference: Maytree. (2011). Diversity in Governance: A Toolkit for Nonprofit Boards. Toronto, Ontario. |
Eight Best Practices of Non-Profit Boards8 Best Practices of Non-Profit Boards"Board chairs often ask me what I recommend as the best practices of high performing boards. The list below is not exhaustive, but includes some practices that I find helpful to make boards stronger and their work more effective (Burgoyne, 2015)."Reference: Burgoyne, A. M. (2015, October). 8 Best Practices of Non-Profit Boards. Retrieved October 25, 2018, from http://www.emersoncollective.com/articles/2015/10/8-best-practices-of-non-profit-boards |
Eight Steps to Building a Successful Business case8 Steps to Building a Successful Business caseBy Lauren Allen | www.zazzlemedia.co.uk "No matter what field of business you work in, it’s likely that you’ll have heard of the term, 'a business case'. But how many of you have actually put one together? As I was carrying out some research to help me with the creation of a case for one of my own clients, while I was able to find useful bits and bobs of information here and there, I struggled to find the fundamental steps of a business case summarised all in one place. Ultimately, what I was searching for was a handy resource that I could refer to each and every time I needed to pull one together. So that’s what I’m here to try and do; whether you need to pitch in new business, bring in a new process, upsell or cross-sell, or even need to keep existing business, I’m going to draw on each and every step that will guide you all the way (Allen, 2016)." Click on the Reference to Access Article: Allen, L. (2016). The 8 Steps to Building a Successful Business case [Web log post]. Retrieved November 8, 2018, from https://www.zazzlemedia.co.uk/blog/build-a-business-case/#gref |
Eight Strategies for Creating a More Inclusive Volunteer Program8 Strategies for Creating a More Inclusive Volunteer Program"MAVA has developed a set of 8 strategies for creating a more inclusive volunteer program at your organization. These strategies serve as a starting point for volunteer engagement leaders who are seeking concrete next steps for better engaging volunteers from diverse and immigrant communities (Minnesota Association for Volunteer Administration, n.d.)."Reference: Minnesota Association for Volunteer Administration. (n.d.). Engaging Volunteers from Diverse and Immigrant Communities. Retrieved October 26, 2018, from https://www.mavanetwork.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=286912&module_id=283483 |
Engaging Millennials: "Tapping into the Nonprofit Next Generation"Tapping into the Nonprofit Next Generation: Pitfalls and Best Practices for Engaging Millennials at Your NonprofitArticle Written By: Elizabeth G. Gousse and Matthew G. McCrossonIntroductory Paragraph: "Move over, Baby Boomers. Millennials are officially the largest generation in U.S. history. There were 83.1 million Americans born between 1982 and 2000, according to 2015 census data. In a class so large, it’s difficult to make broad generalities about work ethic and perspectives. But given that Millennials will make up 75 percent of the workforce by 2025, there’s little debate that organizations that can harness the talent and skills of this generation will be better positioned for future success." Key Concepts Mentioned in the Article: (1) Culture Counts, (2) Flexibility and Accountability Aren’t Mutually Exclusive, (3) Create Clear Goals and Roles, (4) Be Generous With Benefits, (5) Cool Tech Is Enticing, (6) Fundraising Strategies From the Inside Out. |
Fifteen Reflections for a Not-for-Board MemberServing in a not-for-profit organization, whether it is a nonprofit organization or a charity, is a rewarding experience. A board member plays a significant role in the success of the organization and takes on a great responsibility. Whether you are thinking of becoming one or is currently serving on a board, the following reflections will help you strengthen your role as a board member. Volunteer MBC, through our Board Governance Series, aims to guide you through these reflections.
The significance of a Board 1. What is the importance of a board to a not-for-profit organization?
Structure & Roles 2. How are not-for-profit boards structured? The types of boards, their functioning, and forming committees. 3. What are the roles and responsibilities of a board member and board driven committees? a. Who plays what role? b. How do you manage the relationships between peers, organizational head, and staff? c. How can a board support the volunteer involvement at not-for-profit organizations? (adopting the CCVI, promoting opportunities, recognition). 4. How do you identify and attract a diverse group of board of directors who is a good fit for the organization? a. What information should you provide upfront? b. What strengths and skills should you have as a board member? c. How does diversity positively impact board governance? d. When do you turn the wheels in motion for board succession planning? 5. What would be telltale signs of an effective not-for-profit board?
Establishing a Board 6. What are the guiding principles of a not-for-profit board? (Vision, mission, mandate, values, and strategic priorities). 7. What are the policies and legal obligations of a not-for-profit board? (Legal and regulatory considerations, by-laws, contracts, policies). 8. What part does a board play in Risk Management of a not-for-profit organization?
Providing Direction 9. How do we strategize the organizations’ way forward? 10. What questions should you ask before approving a budget? 11. How do you plan and support a diversified fund development strategy? 12. How do you make an emotional connection with the community? (storytelling, measuring the impact of programs and services). 13. How do you plan a successful Annual General Meeting? (why, how, what, and when?)
Board Dynamics 14. How do you carry out a productive board meeting? (respecting the professional life and time of board members, finalizing an agenda, planning and scheduling, running a meeting). 15. How do you build a strong team? a. How do you effectively manage the board dynamics? b. What are the immediate steps and tactics of conflict resolution? Shaminda Perera Manager, Learning and Resource Development |
Fraud in the Not-for-Profit Sector: Boards Beware and Be PreparedFraud in the Not-for-Profit Sectorby Stéphan Drolet, National Forensic Leader, KPMG Canada"It is difficult to swallow when a volunteer takes cash donations away from those in need for their personal use but it is appalling when an employee or Executive Director (ED) defrauds the organization they are entrusted to protect (Drolet, 2018)." Click on the Reference to read the article or download the attached file by clicking on the icon below: Drolet, S. (2018, March 14). Fraud in the Not-for-Profit Sector. Retrieved November 22, 2018, from https://home.kpmg.com/ca/en/home/insights/2018/03/fraud-in-the-not-for-profit-sector.html |
Fraud Policy SampleFraud Policy SampleThis is a sample of a Fraud Policy relevant to a for-profit organization. It can be customized to reflect the needs and context of a not-for-profit organization. To download the template click on the file icon below. Downloaded from: https://www.acfe.com/uploadedFiles/ACFE_Website/Content/documents/Sample_Fraud_Policy.pdf |
Fund Development: Dealing with Donor BurnoutDealing with Donor Burnout: What It Is and 3 Ways You Can Keep Your Connection FreshArticle Written By: Kerstin Heuer for Imagine CanadaIntroduction in Article: When people decide to give, they decide which causes to support, which organizations they want to align with, and how they will choose to share their resources. And they also consider one other thing: over-solicitation. No nonprofit wants to be guilty of over-stepping, but unstable economies and demographic shifts validly evoke concern about whether funds are available to support mission achievement. Enter “donor burnout.” |
Governance for not-for-profit organizations: questions for directors to askGovernance for not-for-profit organizations: questions for directors to ask"[D]irectors that ensure their NFP is equipped with a good governance framework can ensure that the NFP is productive, accountable and delivers on its mission, ethically and sustainably. This guide sets out a process to help NFP directors create such a framework or in refining an existing one. (Taylor, 2014)" Reference: Taylor, D. (2014). Governance for not-for-profit organizations: Questions for directors to ask. Toronto: Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada. |
Governance Indicators from a Funder's PerspectiveA list of indicators and their assessment rubric adopted from the Region of Peel Organizational Effectiveness Reporting document. Reference: Region of Peel (n.d.) Organizational Effectiveness Reporting – Community Investment Program, Retrieved January 3, 2020. |
Guideline for Police Records Checks"The LEARN Guideline for Police Record Checks is intended to assist police services to understand and apply relevant legislation, policies, procedures and directives to the processing of Police Record Checks. It is also intended to promote consistency in processing methods as well as the terminology used throughout the Province of Ontario (Source: Law Enforcement & Records (Managers) Network - LEARN)." Click on the icon below to download or visit this link: http://www.oacp.on.ca/Userfiles/Files/NewAndEvents/PublicResourceDocuments/GUIDELINES%20FOR%20POLICE%20RECORD%20CHECKS%20%20_%20June%202014_FINAL.pdf |
Health and Safety Awareness TrainingExcerpt From https://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/training/index.php: The Occupational Health and Safety Awareness and Training regulation requires health and safety awareness training for every worker and supervisor under the Occupational Health and Safety Act(OHSA). Learn more about the regulation, requirements, and our free suite of optional training resources designed to help workers and employers meet the requirements. Click this link to access the training: https://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/training/index.php |
Health and Safety Incident Report TemplateAccidents and incidents do happen at work. No not-for-profit is immune to it. Here is a template of a comprehensive incident report that you can download an re-purpose for your organization. As a risk management initiative, incident reports help mitigate some of the aftermath of an incident/accident as well as dealing with the liability issues and insurance. Incident reports capture on document the exact details of what happened. It should ideally be completed while the details are fresh in the minds of those who witnessed the incident/accident. Click on the icon to download the template. |
How to Write a Business Case
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International Day of Charity (September 5)International Day of Charity (September 5)"In the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development adopted in September 2015, the United Nations recognizes that eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, is the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development. The Agenda also calls for a spirit of strengthened global solidarity, focused in particular on the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable. It also acknowledges the role of the diverse private sector, ranging from micro-enterprises to cooperatives to multinationals, and that of civil society organizations and philanthropic organizations in the implementation of the new Agenda (www.un.org)." Access the Webpage: http://www.un.org/en/events/charityday |
International Volunteer Day (December 5)International Volunteer Day (IVD)"International Volunteer Day (IVD) mandated by the UN General Assembly, is held each year on 5 December. It is viewed as a unique chance for volunteers and organizations to celebrate their efforts, to share their values, and to promote their work among their communities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), United Nations agencies, government authorities and the private sector (www.un.org)." Access the IVD Webpage: http://www.un.org/en/events/volunteerday |
International Volunteer Managers Day (November 5)International Volunteer Managers DayIVMD was founded to celebrate the profession of volunteer leadership. Visit the IVMD website for more information and resources on how to celebrate the amazing work that Leaders of Volunteers do in their communities. Visit the webpage: https://volunteermanagersday.org |
It's Time to Start Counting Volunteers SeriouslyIt's Time to Start Counting Volunteers SeriouslyBy Susan J. Ellis | www.energizeinc.com"Why can't we get some data about volunteering from the both the organizations that benefit from the services of volunteers and those who organize volunteering? (Ellis, 2001)." Click Reference to Access Article: Ellis, S. J. (2001, December). It's Time to Start Counting Volunteers Seriously [Web log post]. Retrieved November 8, 2018, from https://www.energizeinc.com/hot-topics/2001/december |
Join and Lead a Nonprofit BoardOriginal Title: In 2019 - Join and Lead a Nonprofit Board"A nonprofit board is a dynamic and fluid leadership element needed by nonprofit organizations. It requires fuel in the form of fired-up and committed members, plus a focus on the mission of the organization it serves. Nonprofit boards must have volunteers who are properly recruited and have proper orientation. Recruiters of board members must understand why potential members volunteer and what motivates a member to serve at a high level (Haddad, 2019)." Read Article:
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Learning Program Development GuideThis template is guide to design and develop learning programs. It describes an approach to develop learning objectives using the ABCD method. |
Managing the Physical Distance of Remote Working Teams in Social Purpose OrganizationsWorking remotely have risen in popularity over the last half of the past decade. It is received both with enthusiasm and skepticism. The reason for skepticism is mainly rooted in the physical distance and communication breakdowns created by scattered team members working remotely. In this article, Shaminda Perera present 4 quick tips and a list of tools to help any organization in the Social Purpose Sector to deploy a remote working team within a day. Click on the link to read the article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/managing-physical-distance-remote-working-teams-shaminda-perera-meae |
Meetings Management: Fair and Orderly MeetingsRobert's Rules of Order is a reputed toolkit to conduct democratic, constructive, fair and orderly meetings. Click on the links below to learn more about how to apply Robert's Rules in your next meeting. The following menu will re-direct you to robertsrules.org. |
Mobile Device Usage in Different ContextsPew Research Centre offers great insights on various research topics. Here is a link that gives you data and information on the context of Mobile Device usage. You can browse reports and data by subject, form data collected in all their reports published since 1983. The research and the content audience is predominantly US based but can be generalized to North America. Some topics include mobile device usage related to;
Click this link to access the reports and data: http://www.pewinternet.org/topics |
Non-profit institutions and volunteering: Economic contribution, 2007 to 2017Non-profit institutions and volunteering: Economic contribution, 2007 to 2017"Economic activity in the non-profit sector totalled $169.2 billion in 2017, representing 8.5% of Canada's gross domestic product (GDP). Community non-profit institutions accounted for 16.4% of the overall sector, while business non-profit institutions accounted for 10.4%. The most significant portion of non-profit activity (73.2%) came from government non-profit institutions, such as hospitals and universities. If included, volunteer activities—which are important for the non-profit sector but not included in standard macroeconomic measures—would have added a further $41.8 billion to the economy in 2013 (the most recent year of available data), representing 22.3% of non-profit GDP that year (Statistics Canada)." Click this reference to access the data: Statistics Canada (2019), Non-profit institutions and volunteering: Economic contribution, 2007 to 2017. Retrieved March 18, 2019, from https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/190305/dq190305a-eng.htm |
Not-for-Profit Incorporation GuidesFederal Incorporation Guidelines: https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cd-dgc.nsf/eng/cs04970.html Ontario Incorporation Guidelines: http://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/family/pgt/nfpinc/Not_for_Profit_Incorporators_Handbook_EN.html |
Online Communities Vs Online Communities of PracticeThe Difference between Online Communities and Online Communities of PracticeWritten by: Jenna Groman, Program Manager, NetHope On September 23, 2016 Published by: The Health Communication Capacity Collaborative (HC3) Groman gives an overview of the difference between an Online Community and an Online Communities of Practice. While both are ignited from a common area of interest may it be pets, aeroplanes, a planet, a board game, etc., an Online Community is a group of individuals rallying around a common interest, an Online Community of Practice revolves around a particular profession, skill, or situation whether it is initiated by a professional association or an informal group. Read the article by clicking on this link: https://healthcommcapacity.org/difference-online-communities-online-communities-practice |
Ontario Human Rights CodeOntario's Human Rights Code, the first in Canada, was enacted in 1962. The Code prohibits actions that discriminate against people based on a protected ground in a protected social area. Link to the Code: http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/ontario-human-rights-code Download the Human Rights Code Card: http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/human-rights-code-cards |
Peel Data CentreClick on the link below to access the Peel Data Centre.The PDC gives you access to a wide variety of quantitative data on Peel. Peel Data Centre: https://www.peelregion.ca/planning/pdc |
Peel Police DataPeel Police DataThe Peel Police crime mapping data can be used to evaluate the significance of programs and services to the at-risk population. Access the Website: https://www.peelpolice.ca/en/in-the-community/crime-statistics-and-maps.aspx |
Performance Improvement: 10 Tips shared by Carine Strong
Volunteer MBC's Executive Director, Carine Strong shares the 10 most important tips to help improve the performance of your team. Click here to read the article. |
Police Record Hub by John Howard Society"The HUB is a one-stop site to access free resources and stay up to date on police and criminal records information in Ontario. These free and evidence-based resources are helpful for individuals with records, employers, the volunteer sector, legal and HR professionals (Source: John Howard Society)." Visit The HUB by clicking on the link: http://policerecordhub.ca |
Police Records Checks in OntarioPolice Record Checks in OntarioIn Ontario, the Police Record Checks Reform Act, governs the types of record checks that can be conducted for screening (for example, non-law enforcement) purposes. The act authorizes three different types of police record checks:
Please click on the reference link for more information. Reference: Queen's Printer for Ontario. (n.d.). Police Record Checks in Ontario. Retrieved November 1, 2018, from http://www.mcscs.jus.gov.on.ca/english/police_serv/PoliceRecordsChecks/PS_records_checks.html |
Police Records Checks Reform ActPolice Records Checks Reform Act (Bill-113) comes into effect as of November 1, 2018. This act standardizes which Record Check to be done and what will be included in them. The types of records checks will now be; Criminal Records Check (Level 1), Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (Level 2), and the Vulnerable Sector Check (Level 3) across Ontario. Click the link to learn more about the Act: https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-41/session-1/bill-113 |
Police Records Checks: Frequently Asked Questions about Vulnerable Sector ChecksThis is a document answers some of the frequently asked questions regarding the Police Vulnerable Sector Check. It is a document put together by the RCMP. While Volunteer MBC Learning Centre goes to great lengths to maintain the most updated resources, please note that the information in this document may have changed from the date of upload. Random Defenition: A position of trust or authority is created when an individual's relationship with someone else has any of the following characteristics:
Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police, retrieved on September 17, 2018 |
Police Records Checks: On the Record (Publication)On the Record: An Information Guide on Police Record Checks in Ontario for Employers, Human Resources Professionals and Volunteer Managers. Click on the link below to download the publication. "This document was produced by the John Howard Society of Ontario and the Canadian Civil Liberties Association in October 2014. The publication of this document was supported by a grant from the Law Foundation of Ontario. Please note that this is legal information, not legal advice. If you need advice about your individual circumstances, please consult with a lawyer (John Howard Society of Ontario & Canadian Civil Liberties Association, 2014)." Source: John Howard Society of Ontario & Canadian Civil Liberties Association. (2014). On the Record. Toronto, ON: John Howard Society of Ontario & Canadian Civil Liberties Association. Retrieved June 27, 2018, from http://www.johnhoward.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/On-the-Record-2-FINAL.pdf |
Police Records Checks: Peel Regional PoliceThe following link will take you directly to the Record Checks and Suspensions (Pardons) webpage of Peel Regional Police. Webpage Link: https://www.peelpolice.ca/en/services/record-checks-and-suspensions-pardons.aspx |
Police Records Checks: Volunteer Management BlueprintThe Volunteer Management Blueprint is published by John Howard Society of Ontario. The main goal of this resource manual is to contribute to the development of volunteer programs by:
It can be downloaded from http://johnhoward.on.ca/download/volunteer-management-blueprint |
Police Records Checks: YouthEffective November 1, 2018, in accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA), youth records will only be released to federal, provincial or municipal government agencies. Record checks for young persons won't be conducted for any other purpose. Due to the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, an individual sentenced for an offence as a Young Person does not have to apply for a record suspension since all records are destroyed or archived once all applicable time periods have elapsed. For more details contact: Peel Regional Police, Records Services, 905-453-2121 Ext. 4343 Source: Recent Changes to Police Records Checks [Webinar], presented by Peel Regional Police, hosted by Volunteer MBC, on October 2017. Link to more information: https://www.peelpolice.ca/en/services/record-checks-and-suspensions-pardons.aspx# |
Preventing fraud in Not For Profit organizations [Knowledge Resource]Preventing fraud in Not For Profit organizations"There are a number of ways to minimize the potential for fraud and its effects on your organization. Understanding different types of fraudulent activity and educating yourself and your associates about how it occurs and how to identify it is a good place to start. From there, you can incorporate procedures using a system of checks and balances to help prevent fraudulent activity from occurring in the first place (Royal Bank of Canada, n.d.)." |
Questioning Volunteer ManagementQuestioning Volunteer ManagementA paper by Jennifer Woodill Extract: "Very quickly after I became a “Volunteer Coordinator”, I had a sinking feeling that I was in the wrong job. As someone new to the field of “volunteer management” (I had worked with volunteers for years before but not in a formal ‘management’ role), I wanted to learn everything to do my job well. I jumped head first into my new world of volunteer management, reading voraciously about volunteer management practices, joining my local AVA (Association for Volunteer Administrators) and connecting with other volunteer managers. I learned about the different topics of interest to volunteer managers: recruiting, screening, risk management, interviewing, evaluation, etc. My big picture questions, about how volunteerism connects to community development, civic engagement and social inclusion were never mentioned, in the books or meetings or discussions with other volunteer managers. I felt like I had been dropped into a completely different profession, perhaps as a Human Resources Manager, an Administrator, or maybe a Factory Manager, churning out well-oiled volunteers as efficiently as possible. I started wondering, what was going on? (Woodill, 2007, p. 2). To download the paper: 2. Or, click on the icon below. |
Raising the Bar on Financial GovernanceRaising the Bar on Financial Governance: Best Practices for Not-for-Profit Board Directors in Ontarioby BDO Canada"More than ever before, board members are held to a higher degree of accountability. Anyone who joins the board of a not-for-profit or charitable organization should be prepared to govern with a clear understanding of their responsibilities and a strong focus on best practices. These Acts establish higher standards of oversight in a number of areas — including financial accountability. For example, the duties, powers, liabilities, protections and standards of care for directors are clarified. Not-for-profit corporations must now make their financial statements available to members (BDO Canada, 2015)." Click the Reference to read the article: BDO Canada. (2015, April 23). Best practices for Not-for-Profit boards of directors in Ontario. Retrieved November 22, 2018, from https://www.bdo.ca/en-ca/insights/industries/not-for-profit-education/best-practices-for-not-for-profit-boards-of-direct |
Random Acts of Kindness"We’re the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, though we also go by ‘RAK’. We’re a small, but mighty team making huge strides towards building a kinder world. We |
Reimagining Governance in the Non-Profit SectorPeering into the Future Reimagining Governance in the Non-Profit SectorPeering into the Future, a new report from Mowat NFP’s Enabling Environment series, argues that focusing on the board as the only mechanism of governance may no longer be sufficient for an increasingly complex environment (Source: https://mowatcentre.ca/peering-into-the-future) Download the Report by clicking on the icon below. Lalande, L. (2018). Peering into the Future: Reimagining Governance in the Non-Profit Sector(Rep. No. 171). Toronto, ON: Mowat Research. |
Risk Assessment ToolThis Risk Assessment Tool gives you a template to identify what risks may exist with your volunteer role. It should be utilized during the volunteer position design stage. |
Screening Handbook, TheThe Screening Handbook (2012 edition) is a publication prepared by "Volunteer Canada" and published by the "Public Safety Canada" based on the 10 Steps of Screening. This handbook is a valuable resource for the practical application of volunteer screening standards and procedures. Page 71 to 73 of the handbook highlights the legal profile of Ontario. It is a list of all volunteer involvement related regulations and legislation relevant to the Province of Ontario. Click the link below to download "The Screening Handbook." Here is the link to the Volunteer Canada webpage; https://volunteer.ca/index.php?MenuItemID=337 |
Seven Rules for Meaningful Board EngagementAdopted from "The Nonprofit Board Engagement Playbook: 7 Tenets for Success" by Bordable, click the resource icon here to download a summary of the seven rules. Click on the reference below to download the playbook. |
Seven Tips and a Performance Evaluation SampleTip 1: Align your evaluation criteria and questions to the key accountabilities mentioned in the position description. Any performance evaluation criteria should have variables that you can measure against and these variables (duties of the role, standards, and Key performance indicators) should have been communicated to the volunteer when they start in the role. Also, try not to use any off-the-shelf evaluation forms from the web. Tip 2: Start your evaluation
form with questions inquiring the volunteers experience in the position and
with the organization. This gives them the respect that you are willing to
listen and improve their experience. The key is to make sure you discuss their
feedback with them and what you would do with their feedback. Tip 3: What would be effective; a one-time annual evaluation or periodic discussions that can be summarised into one annual report. Tip 4: Strategize. Follow through your performance evaluation with Personal/Professional development plans. Working in an environment where human interaction is a predominant activity, there are bound to be inspiring stories as well as areas to improve. If you have identified any areas for improvement, be ready with how you can help the volunteer to improve. Provide options which they can choose from. Volunteers will appreciate the development opportunities you are giving them. Tip 5: Measure what matters. This flows through with Tip #1. Measure the impact. You will know best whether your organization strategic priorities are focused on quantity or quality. Measure the impact against the strategic priorities. For example, if you are measuring communication skills, are you measuring the use of the English language or the effectiveness of getting the message across. Tip 6: What is the root cause? If there are any skills or performance gaps, check to see what the actual root cause is. For example, consistent delays in producing reports could mean either the person does not know how to work with Microsoft Office or that the computer used is extremely slow. Dig deep into the problem. Tip 7: Use the stories of best practices and high performers to inspire the rest. Bring it to the performance review discussion, but also show it to the world. Many volunteers want to know the impact they make, praise them publicly as and when it happens. Click on the icon below to download a sample volunteer Performance Review template. This form was designed to a particular role at Volunteer MBC. Please use it as a template keeping the above tips in mind. |
Statistics Canada |
Strategic Volunteer Management: Expanding Your Organization's BrainStrategic Volunteer Management: Expanding Your Organization's BrainBy Susan J. Ellis | www.energizeinc.com"A few years ago during a workshop I led in Perth, Western Australia about being strategic in engaging volunteers, a participant came up to me during the morning break. He excitedly told me, “I just got it! Volunteers can expand my organization’s brain! (Ellis, 2013)." Click Reference to Access Article: Ellis, S. J. (2013, May). Strategic Volunteer Management: Expanding Your Organization's Brain [Web log post]. Retrieved November 8, 2018, from https://www.energizeinc.com/hot-topics/2013/may |
Sustainable Development GoalsSpearheaded by the United Nations, in 2015, global leaders rallied to established 17 goals to achieve by 2030 to push forward the development of the world. They are commonly referred to as Global Goals, which are 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In 2019, Volunteer Canada's theme for the National Volunteer Week is inspired by these goals. While most not-for-profits are already engaged in tackling at last one of these goals, this initiative is an effort to put the goals into the centre stage. The resources that stem from the SDGs will be valuable content that can be used for program planning, grant writing, and evaluation. Here are six resources that will inspire you to focus on these goals: (1) The Global Goals: https://www.globalgoals.org/resources (2) The Government of Canada Sustainable Development Goals Data Hub: https://www144.statcan.gc.ca/sdg-odd/index-eng.htm (3) Volunteerism and the Global Goals: https://www.unv.org/volunteerism-and-global-goals (4) Volunteer Canada on SDGs: https://volunteer.ca/index.php?MenuItemID=382 (5) A Look at the Sustainable Development Goals, United Nations Foundation
(6) How We Can Make the World a Better Place by 2030, Michael Green on TED Talks
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Team Dynamics: Five Key Elements of a Thriving Volunteer Team
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Ten Steps of Screening Brochure“Screening is a process that helps match people with volunteer positions while improving the quality and safety of the programs and services offered in communities. It’s an ongoing 10-step process performed by an organization to ensure that the volunteers’ involvement is meeting the needs of the organizations, the populations they serve and the volunteers themselves (Source: https://volunteer.ca/index.php?MenuItemID=368).” |
The Board's Role in the COVID-19 Crisis"In
a crisis like that of COVID-19 when the stakes are high and scrutiny is intense,
the board has a unique role. Stepping in may be uncomfortable, but stepping
aside is not an option….Leadership in a crisis like that of COVID-19 is not the
same as in business as usual: demands on management have become exponentially greater
and it has become harder for leaders to execute their role. Usual ways of
working must be adapted, process simplified, authority delegated. Directors
should resist the urge to jump in and blur the lines between those of
management and the board. (Delloitte, 2020)." Publication: Stepping In: The Board's Role in the COVID-19 Crisis Publisher: Deloitte - Global Centre for Corporate Governance Publishing Year: 2020 |
Twenty questions directors should ask about governance committees20 questions directors should ask about governance committees"As a board, do we have the right directors, with the right experience, knowledge and motivation to help us deliver value to the organization? Are we able to effectively set strategic direction with management and oversee and evaluate management’s execution of strategic plans? Are we confident that we have delegated responsibilities effectively across committees? Are we effective in overseeing risk mitigation and staying on top of emerging risks? Do we receive useful feedback through regular evaluations that help us enhance the value we provide? Are we developing candidates to take leadership positions on our board? Do we have an effective and productive relationship with management? How well do we understand stakeholder expectations and is our board proactively engaging with stakeholders in a way that is both productive and mutually beneficial? These are just some of the challenging issues that today’s governance committees are helping their boards to address. (Anderson, 2010)." Reference: Anderson, D. W. (2010). 20 questions directors should ask about governance committees. Toronto: Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants. |
United Way Greater Toronto Research and ReportsUnited Way Greater Toronto Research and ReportsAccess the Website: https://www.unitedwaygt.org/research-and-reports |
Universal Declaration on the Profession of Volunteer ManagementUniversal Declaration on the Professionof Volunteer Management"In 2001, International Year of Volunteers, volunteer management professionals from around the globe met in Toronto for the International Conference on Volunteer Administration. Participants worked together to develop a Universal Declaration on the Profession of Leading and Managing Volunteers. The group worked together for two days to produce the following declaration. We encourage you to use the declaration to raise awareness of the powerful role played by volunteer resource managers (www.volunteer.ca)." Read the Declaration: https://volunteer.ca/index.php?MenuItemID=340 |
Universal Design for Learning (UDL)Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework to drive inclusion in learning. It takes three factors into consideration to promote access and ability to learn by anyone despite barriers, challenges, and circumstances. They are; (1) Engagement - stimulating the interest and motivation by considering the audience, (2) Representation - multi modal presentation of material, and (3) Expression - enable learners to express what they learned in different ways. Use these guidelines in your next learning program design and development. Learn More: - Click here to access the UDL guidelines: http://udlguidelines.cast.org/?utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=none&utm_source=cast-about-udl - Click this link to learn more about UDL: http://www.cast.org/our-work/about-udl.html Source: CAST (2018). Universal Design for Learning Guidelines version 2.2. Retrieved from http://udlguidelines.cast.org |
Value of Volunteering in CanadaThe Value of Volunteering in Canada is a research report briefing presented to Volunteer Canada on April 5, 2018, by The Conference Board of Canada. "Each day, Canadians in every region of the country contribute both their time and money to help and improve the well-being of their communities. Financial contributions from millions of people across the country benefit important causes, including the successful operation of shelters, service organizations, and food banks. Also, contributions help to ensure that universities, research institutes, and hospitals can make key advances in scientific, medical, and other research areas. But in addition to donations, volunteering provides many important services that affect the lives of Canadians—supporting Canadians in need and contributing to sports, arts, cultural, and environmental causes are just some examples (Beckman & Antunes, 2018)." Click on the icon below to download the PDF file. Reference: Beckman, K. & Antunes, P. (2018). The Value of Volunteering in Canada(Issue brief). The Conference Board of Canada. |
Vital Signs - MississaugaMississauga's Vital Signs"Vital Signs is a national program led by local community foundations and coordinated by Community Foundations of Canada. It leverages local knowledge to measure the vitality of our communities and support action towards improving our quality of life (Community Foundation of Mississauga, 2018)." Access Vital Signs: Community Foundation of Mississauga. (2018). Mississauga's Vital Signs 2018. Retrieved November 5, 2018, from https://www.cfofm.org/mississauga-vital-signs |
Volunteer Management Handbook: A Resource for Service-Providing Organizations Assisting Newcomers to CanadaVolunteer Management Handbook: A Resource for Service-Providing Organizations Assisting Newcomers to CanadaThis handbook provides a general overview of the volunteer management process with a focus on volunteers supporting newcomers (www.volunteer.ca). Download the Booklet either by clicking on the URL or the download icon. URL: https://volunteer.ca/vdemo/EngagingVolunteers_DOCS/VMH_Eng_2016_Print.pdf |
Volunteer Position Design CanvasIn this "Volunteer Position Design Canvas" (Microsoft XL Spreadsheet), you can design a snapshot of your volunteer position by taking many factors into consideration. Such as;
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Volunteering 2030 – New ParadigmsDescription Extract: "Rapidly changing societal trends, technological innovation, virtual landscapes, and a global commitment to enabling the Sustainable Development Goals for everyone, everywhere creates an emerging dynamic where established boundaries for volunteering are being challenged and changed. Such a ‘borderless state’ often within countries but sometimes across nation states requires more collaboration, integration and sharing of resources to bring about the change the world needs. Partnership across organizations and sectors, new ways of engaging citizens and volunteering across borders can bring innovation and greater impact to the involvement of volunteers." Published in: International Association for Volunteer Effort Direct URL: https://www.iave.org/virtualforums2020/volunteering-2030-new-paradigms Retrieved: December 10, 2020 |
World Kindness Day (November 13)November 13 is World Kindness DayClick here to plan an event or an act of kindness: https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/world-kindness-day |
Youth Records: Information in the Department of Justice WebsiteYouth Records"As a general rule, the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) protects the privacy of young persons who are accused or found guilty of a crime by keeping their identity and other personal information confidential. The protection of privacy is achieved by prohibiting the publication of information that would identify a young person’s involvement in the criminal justice system and by restricting access to their youth records. This fact sheet contains general information regarding youth records under the YCJA (Department of Justice). |