Volunteer Symposium 2025
We’re happy to share some highlights from our 7th annual Volunteer Leadership Symposium Building Community Through Random Acts of Volunteerism that took place earlier this year in Kentville.
Janice Landry, an award-winning journalist and writer, will share stories from her latest book, Every Little Thing How Small Acts of Kindness Make a Big Impact.
“One of the main takeaways of my new book, Every Little Thing, is that we all have gifts to share in order to lift up others and spread light. Helpers and volunteers wear many hats, and they are the backbone of every community. This new work honours them.”
This Symposium brought together community members, organizations, and volunteers to engage in a series of informative workshops aimed at enhancing volunteerism and inclusivity. The event featured a diverse range of topics, all focused on building stronger, more welcoming communities and improving the volunteer experience.
Workshops Overview
Building Welcoming Communities by Oge Chukwudozie: This workshop focused on understanding the barriers faced by immigrants in Nova Scotia and explored strategies to create a more inclusive community.
Grant Writing with AI by Shaun Whynaught: Participants learned how to utilize AI tools to streamline the grant writing process, significantly reducing the time required to prepare proposals.
Creating and Supporting Inclusive Environments for Neurodivergent Volunteers by Kym Hume: This session emphasized the strengths of neurodivergent individuals and discussed methods to create supportive environments for all volunteers.
Finding Simple Ways to Increase Accessibility by Katie MacArthur: Attendees were guided through conducting accessibility audits and implementing practical strategies to enhance inclusivity for people with disabilities.
Volunteers are the HEART of it all by Mandy Morgan: This workshop provided insights into effectively managing volunteers, sharing experiences from the Devour Film & Food Festival and offering tips for successful volunteer engagement.
Special Closing Activity
The symposium concluded with a special closing event where participants joined Hike Nova Scotia Walk leaders to celebrate Nova Scotia Walk Day. Attendees enjoyed a relaxing 30-minute walk, fostering connections while appreciating the beauty of the local environment.
Overall, the symposium was a resounding success, equipping participants with valuable knowledge and tools to enhance their volunteer efforts and promote inclusivity within their communities.