Information, research, and resources strengthen the nonprofit sector.
We have gathered some key resources that shed light on the different ways the nonprofit sector, volunteerism, and civic engagement support our society. We continue to monitor social trends, explore statistical information, and gather inspiring resources that support you in your day-to-day work.
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Top Resources
Video
Changing the Conversation: Research, Surprising Findings, and the Volunteer Screening Program
During 2022, the Volunteer Screening Program (VSP) conducted various evaluations and research activities to deepen our understanding of Alberta’s volunteer screening and engagement practices and the shifting landscape that has occurred since 2017. This included identifying shared understanding, gaps in knowledge, and drawing connections between the lived experiences of the volunteers and the organizations that engage them. From these evaluative conversations, we have identified evolving good practices and issues to consider further.
Report
Changing the Conversation: Research, Surprising Findings, and the Volunteer Screening Program (Report)
During 2022, the Volunteer Screening Program conducted various evaluations and research activities to deepen our understanding of Alberta’s volunteer screening and engagement practices. This included identifying shared understanding, gaps in knowledge, and drawing connections between the lived experiences of the volunteers and the organizations that engage them. From these evaluative conversations, we have identified evolving good practices and issues to consider further.
This report details our approach, methods, analysis, and dives into what was asked and what was heard from our various evaluations and research activities, including focus groups and large benchmark surveys.
Tipsheet
Facilitation Tips
Having a good facilitator is key to conducting focus groups for evaluation and feedback on your volunteer program or screening processes. Becoming a good facilitator takes training and practice. Use these tips to learn basic, introductory facilitation tips and ‘moves.’
TemplateTool
Skilled Volunteers: Thinking and Acting Differently Worksheet
Brainstorm ways to think and act differently. This template will help you be intentional while planning new volunteer positions, or engaging skilled volunteers.
Evaluation 101 Workbook
This workbook will take you through the steps necessary to develop your evaluation plan, from assessing your preparedness to evaluate and introducing you to the topic a concept of evaluation to prepare a timeline and budget.
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Key Terms and Definitions: Evaluation
Some of the key terms and definitions used by evaluators.
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Template
Stakeholder engagement
Use this template to determine how you’ll engage stakeholders and share relevant data and stories
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Template
Stakeholder mapping
Use this template to think about the folks your organization wants to engage – who needs to know abou the program or service, who needs to be at the table, who could be a partner
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Template
Evaluation Framework Table
Use this template to build a table of outcomes, indicators, collection methods and reporting
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Template
Evaluation Framework for Volunteer Centres
Use this template to put all the evaluation pieces together and create a comprehensive data process
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