Volunteer Management Essentials (3 days)

This workshop will provide staff and volunteers an opportunity to examine and practice the organizational and HR skills necessary to meet the challenges of a changing volunteer environment.

May 5, 6, 7, 2026, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Over the course of 3 days, This comprehensive workshop series offers a full journey through the volunteer management cycle. Designed for both new and experienced volunteer managers, Volunteer Management Essentials equips participants with the knowledge, tools, and confidence needed to build and sustain an effective volunteer program. Throughout the course, participants will gain practical skills, explore national trends, and learn proven strategies that align with best practices in the sector. You will leave with a binder full of notes, templates, and resources that can be implemented immediately within your organization.

Topics Covered Include:

• Trends in Volunteerism
• Planning and Positioning your Volunteer Program
• Risk Management and Screening Volunteers
• Job Design
• Marketing and Volunteer Recruitment
• Volunteer Orientation and Training
• Performance Management
• Volunteer Retention and Recognition

Participants will have an opportunity to network with other volunteer engagers and become familiar with current resources on the topic of volunteer management.

Course Modules

Module 1: Internal Analysis – Preparing to Engage Volunteers

Lay the groundwork for a strong volunteer program by assessing your organization’s readiness and understanding the foundational principles of volunteer engagement.
• What volunteer management is and why it matters
• Introduction to the Canadian Code for Volunteer Involvement
• Preparing your organization to effectively engage volunteers
• Exploring risk management practices and safeguards

Module 2: External Analysis – Understanding Volunteers

Gain insight into who is volunteering today and what motivates them. This module takes a deeper look at how to align organizational needs with volunteer expectations.
• Trends in volunteerism across Canada
• Recent statistics and research shaping the volunteer landscape
• Bridging the gap between what volunteers want and what your organization can offer

Module 3: Developing the Structure

Build a strong infrastructure that supports consistent, meaningful volunteer involvement.
• Creating and implementing policies and procedures
• Designing roles that set volunteers up for success
• How to evaluate your volunteer program effectively

Module 4: Recruiting the Right Person

Learn how to attract volunteers who align with your mission and program needs using effective, inclusive, and strategic recruitment practices.
• Understand the components of a recruitment strategy
• Apply recruitment and marketing strategies to craft effective recruitment messaging
• Identify appropriate recruitment techniques for various volunteer roles

Explore the tools and processes that ensure volunteers feel welcomed, prepared, and connected from the start.
• Identify the key components of the intake process
• Apply appropriate steps in screening and selection
• Define what effective orientation and training look like in practice

Module 6: Retaining Your Volunteers

Discover what keeps volunteers engaged long-term, including recognition strategies, communication techniques, and approaches to cultivating a positive volunteer experience.
• Understand the importance of retention
• Identify the four core retention strategies
• Apply a problem-solving process to address challenges
• Use a program assessment tool to strengthen volunteer involvement

Who should attend?

This workshop is recommended for volunteer managers, staff and leadership volunteers who are responsible for the recruitment, management and recognition of volunteers within their organization or group.

Facilitator:

Denise Bukowski is a leader in the field of volunteer engagement with over 35 years of experience that spans health care, tourism, recreation, education, childcare, fitness and sport administration, She is a lifelong learner with a voracious appetite to learn and try new things. Never satisfied with maintaining the status quo, you will always find her curious and committed to continuous quality improvement.

Denise holds a Bachelor of Recreation Studies from the University of Manitoba; a diploma in Health Care Services Management and certificate in Human Resource Management from Red River College. In 2020 received her international certification designation in Volunteer Administration (CVA). She is currently consulting in the Volunteer Management Field and an instructor for Volunteer Manitoba. Denise's past experience includes 11 years at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights responsible for the volunteer engagement program, and two decades working in a Volunteer and Recreation Management capacity in acute and long-term health care facilities.

Denise is currently on the advisory council for the University of Manitoba Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management and has held various board and conference committee positions on the Volunteer Management Professionals of Canada (VMPC), Manitoba Association for Volunteer Administrators ( MAVA) and other volunteer boards. She is also a past recipient of the Manitoba Association for Volunteer Administrators (MAVA) Leadership award and was recently received a national award as an Exemplary Leader in Volunteer Management by her peers.

Certified in Volunteer Administration (CVA) Credential:

Points earned from attending this training, webinar, or conference workshop can be applied towards the education requirement for initial CVA Certification or CVA Renewal. CVA certification is the only internationally recognized credential in the field of Volunteer Administration. To learn more, visit: www.cvacert.org.

Location:

In Person: This workshop will be held at145 Pacific Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 2Z6 (Sport Manitoba)

Accommodations - In Person Events:

Volunteer Manitoba strives to host inclusive, accessible workshops that enable all individuals to engage fully, and we recognize that everyone performs at their best when they are given the right tools to succeed. If you require any accommodations to support you in your learning journey, please indicate so on the registration form. We will do everything in our ability to support you.

Volunteer Manitoba is committed to accommodating individuals with sensitivity to scented products. Participants are kindly asked to refrain from using perfume, cologne, aftershave, or other fragrances to create a fragrance-free environment.

Course Cancellation Policy:

Volunteer Manitoba may decide to cancel or postpone any event where the minimum registration level has not been met. In the case of low in-person registration, Volunteer Manitoba may decide to host the workshop virtually instead. If you wish to not participate virtually, you will receive a full refund.

All participants registered for an event that is cancelled by Volunteer Manitoba will receive a full refund.

Refunds will not be issued for cancellations received within 10 days of the event. Registered participants who fail to attend an event are still required to pay for that event, since a space was held specifically for that person. In case of non-attendance and lack of payment, the registered participant will be invoiced for the full fee, due 30 days from the date of the invoice.