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.
If you would like to inquire about a live workshop or presentation on a resource or an additional topic, please visit our Workshops & Webinars page.
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Top Resources
Presentation
Developing Volunteer Positions
Learn the basics of developing volunteer position descriptions and explore a relationship-based approach to volunteer screening and learn how to craft roles that resonate. This webinar covers:
- Elements of a Volunteer Position Description: Create roles that match your organization’s goals with the skills of potential volunteers
- The Volunteer HR Process: Learn how policies and legislation come into play when crafting volunteer roles
- Concrete Examples: Gain insight from real-world examples so that you can begin to draft your own volunteer positions
- Current Volunteer Trends: Learn what research says volunteers are interested in and who they are
Video
Developing Volunteer Positions
Learn the basics of developing volunteer position descriptions and explore a relationship-based approach to volunteer screening and learn how to craft roles that resonate. This webinar covers:
- Elements of a Volunteer Position Description: Create roles that match your organization’s goals with the skills of potential volunteers
- The Volunteer HR Process: Learn how policies and legislation come into play when crafting volunteer roles
- Concrete Examples: Gain insight from real-world examples so that you can begin to draft your own volunteer positions
- Current Volunteer Trends: Learn what research says volunteers are interested in and who they are
Video
Volunteer Specialist CoP: Making Volunteering Accessible
The Edmonton Fringe is North America’s largest, longest-running Fringe Theatre Festival and relies on the support of up to 1,000 volunteers to make the magic happen. In 2023, the Fringe created a Volunteer Accessibility Team who were responsible for leading their new Buddy Program. A program designed to connect volunteers who might need support with another volunteer, we connect with Drew and Brooke from the Fringe Team as they tell us why accessibility is an important consideration for your volunteer program practices.
This is a members-only resource. Log in or become a member to access this content.
Presentation
Do I need a Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC)?
The presentation slides for our quick12-minute learning opportunity in which we discuss what your organization might consider when requesting Vulnerable Sector Checks (VSCs) for volunteers and also share points around general good practices for screening volunteers.
Video
Volunteer Specialist CoP: Insurance & Volunteers 101
Our friendly and knowledgeable partners from the Co-operators will be available to provide an overview of volunteer risk management and will be happy to answer any questions you may have about volunteer screening and mitigating risk, insurance when developing volunteer programming, and the basics of insurance that volunteer specialists should be aware of.
This is a members-only resource. Log in or become a member to access this content.
Video
Volunteer Specialist CoP: Building meaningful short-term volunteer opportunities
During our second CONNECT Community of Practice for Volunteer Specialists on June 19, 2023, we delve into the topic of creating shorter-term volunteer projects. With guest co-hosts Erin Kelly, Partnership Coordinator with the University of Alberta’s Community Service-Learning Unit, we explore how organizations may engage short term volunteers as well as how organizations can utilize the Community Service Learning Unit.
This is a members-only resource. Log in or become a member to access this content.
Video
Ready to Lead: curating spaces for growth and learning to help create empowered youth
The CDLI Mini Summit 2023 is a space for community practitioners and organization to gather to share their knowledge of Community Work. In this was hosted by the Youth Engagement Team at Volunteer Alberta, we ask the question: What happens if empowerment becomes the foundation of youth engagement? Join us as we explore good practices and principles rooted in youth empowerment and their potential to transform our work in youth engagement.
Video
Do I need a Vulnerable Sector Check?
Welcome to our first Webinette (a bit-sized webinar for ease of access!). In this quick 12-minute learning opportunity, we discuss what your organization might consider when requesting Vulnerable Sector Checks (VSCs) for volunteers and also share points around general good practices for screening volunteers.
Presentation
Changing the Conversation: Research, Surprising Findings, and the Volunteer Screening Program (Slides/Presentation)
This presentation explores current changes in the volunteer screening and engagement landscape, Volunteer Alberta’s research findings, and how our research will inform the Volunteer Screening Program moving forward.
The Volunteer Screening Program (VSP) helps build a thriving, resilient civil society by supporting Alberta’s nonprofit organizations to address volunteer screening, volunteer engagement, and community safety concerns. During 2022, 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.
Video
Changing the Conversation: Research, Surprising Findings, and the Volunteer Screening Program (Recorded Webinar)
This webinar explores current changes in the volunteer screening and engagement landscape, Volunteer Alberta’s research findings, and how our research will inform the Volunteer Screening Program moving forward.
The Volunteer Screening Program (VSP) helps build a thriving, resilient civil society by supporting Alberta’s nonprofit organizations to address volunteer screening, volunteer engagement, and community safety concerns. During 2022, 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.