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  • News + Opportunities

    NEW VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

    Volunteer to be a PARK STEWARD in 2012 - click the link to choose your own adventure and volunteer with Banff National Park! Deadline to apply is February 1st, 2012

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    Looking to Volunteer?
    Check out our VList and contact non-profits directly to ask them about current volunteer opportunities in Banff and the Bow Valley!

    Want to promote a Volunteer Opportunity?
    your volunteer recruitment information and we'll create a post!
    Visit the Promotion page for information on how we can help you!

Organizations: Leadership Learning Tailored to Your Needs

You’re a leader, right?
You’re going to want to check out the Knowledge Connector

KnowledgeConnector was created to help organizations meet their missions much more easily by providing them with a service that is tailored to their learning needs. The ultimate result for those leaders who use the Knowledge Connector is that they will be able to identify ways to enhance capacity, build organizational resources and strengthen communities. It is a ‘one-stop shop’ that enables leaders to locate a wide range of professional development and leadership opportunities.  Learners will be able to find targeted learning in line with specific interests, needs and training objectives.

The KnowledgeConnector project is passionate about providing Alberta’s nonprofit sector leaders with the tools to successfully tackle leadership challenges and knowledge transfer. KnowledgeConnector guides organizations and individuals by connecting them to tailored leadership learning specifically designed for decision makers and influencers involved in nonprofit/voluntary sector roles such as board members, association executives, and engaged community leaders.

Learning is a lifelong process that transforms skills and knowledge helps organizations better achieve their missions.   Check out the A.S.K Leadership Assessment, and help yourself to more effectively determine your professional development needs as it relates to learning.

This assessment is vital to developing stronger leaders and sustainable communities – most of all inspiring personal growth and lifelong learning.

What a way to impact the nonprofit/ voluntary sector!

Brand new development:

Create your very own personalized learning account and track your progress on KnowledgeConnector.ca. Simply visit the site, click on Leadership Assessment, enter your email address and password of choice, and voila – you can track your journey to success as a leader in the nonprofit/voluntary sector.

KnowledgeConnector.ca is quick, easy access to the learning and training you need.  Register today and be the leader you were always meant to be.

Contact Dianne Huston, Banff and Canmore’s Rural Capacity Coordinator for more information or to attend an open workshop in your area or to schedule a workshop for your organization’s members.

 

Volunteer Opportunity | Start your volunteer career with Banff National Park

Learn! Do! Connect! Celebrate!

The Banff National Park Volunteer Program has trails to endless connections, rivers of flowing energy and a mountain of opportunities!

Choose your own adventure and have a volunteer career with Parks Canada – Volunteer to be a PARK STEWARD in Banff National Park!

Here are some of the exciting opportunities available to volunteers:

PARK STEWARD
Trail Hosts, Trail Ambassadors, Trail Stewards, Heritage Hosts, Assistant Hike Leader, Cave & Basin Ambassadors, Learn to Camp, Backcountry Special Projects, Invasive Plant ID & Removal and more!

SPECIAL EVENTS
Parks Day, Canada Day, Citizenship Ceremony and more!

VIRTUAL VOLUNTEERING PROJECTS
Wildlife photo Classification, Research & Monitoring & Science projects, etc

SPECIAL SKILLS VOLUNTEERS
Photographers, Videographers, etc

 

Apply to be a PARK STEWARD VOLUNTEER today!

Deadline to apply is Feb 1, 2012 – email Tina Barzo for the full position description and a Volunteer Application form.

Number of Volunteers Needed: 25+
Time Commitment: approx 50 hrs in 2012

contact: Tina Barzo

email: tina.barzo@pc.gc.ca
phone: 403-763-7036
website: www.pc.gc.ca/banff-volunteer

 

Measuring Your Value

A thought provoking Letter to the Editor, published in the Banff Crag & Canyon today, is written by one of our energetic volunteer Board Members, Annie Arseneault.

Annie asks the question: How do you think a community should measure the value of its volunteers?

Please take a few moment to give us your thoughts below – we love hearing from you!

For more recent Banff Volunteer Centre headlines – check this article out.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:
Measuring Your Value

How can the Bow Valley measure the value of its residents and visitors who volunteer their time and skills? It’s a question I ponder as I begin my new volunteer assignment as a Board member with the Banff Volunteer Centre (BVC).

This morning (Nov. 21) I attended a Town of Banff Council meeting and was pleased to see an overall favourable response to BVC’s new direction. Executive Director Katherine Topolniski had submitted a proposal to reinstate a previous budget of $20,000 annually for core funding.

I was delighted to hear the Council’s questions match one of BVC goals for 2012: to better measure and report on the value of volunteerism in our community. This means I will be putting my performance measurement expertise to good use. Establishing appropriate indicators of success early will be an important step as BVC begins rolling out it’s new business in 2012: delivering services to non-profit organizations, building awareness of volunteerism and encouraging residents (new, temporary and long-term locals alike) to be more actively involved in their community.

I’m excited about volunteering my skills in this capacity while supporting a cause for which I care about: inclusion. I even hope that my volunteering as a Board member serves as a model for other young and highly skilled people and inspires them to find a fulfilling volunteer opportunity.

So how do you think a community should measure the value of its volunteers?

Annie Arseneault
Banff Volunteer Centre, Board of Directors

Volunteers | Join the conversation

Join the discussions on the Get Volunteering Facebook Conversation series

The 12-week Get Volunteering Facebook Conversation series focused on volunteering continues Thursday, November 3 with a discussion on best practices for engaging youth within voluntary organizations.

To join in the live interactive talk, click here and “Like” Get Volunteering on Facebook.

The conversation series runs once a week until December 9, and all sessions begin at 9 a.m. Future conversations will be announced via Volunteer Canada’s Facebook and Twitter feeds, and on the Get Volunteering Facebook page.

The Volunteer Spirit | Random Acts of Kindness Day

Random Act of Kindness Day® is Friday, November 4th!

Simply put - “Random acts of kindness are a wonderful way to touch another person and make our world a better place.”

Please join the movement for community kindness. 

Random Act of Kindness Day® cards will be available and simple acts are encouraged. Do something nice for a neighbour, a friend, a co-worker, or someone you don’t even know. Pass the card along to that person and inspire him/her to continue spreading the flame.

Tell your friends, organize your co-workers, hand out cards and encourage everyone to get involved in Random Act of Kindness Day®.

Great ideas for paying it forward:
● Treat a stranger to coffee
● Share your “to die for” chocolate chip cookies with neighbours or friends  ● Offer to make the morning coffee run
● Let someone in the grocery store line-up go ahead
● Hold the door open wide and SMILE
● Stop a visitor, offer a friendly welcome or assist them with directions
Cards and posters will be available, beginning Thursday October 27.
For more information contact: Nancy DaDalt at 403.762.8549 OR
Visit Lululemon Athletica, 121 Banff Avenue and ask for “Random Act of Kindness ” cards