A new group created to support the Cowichan Valley’s not-for-profit sector will be launching next week.
Networking for Non Profits will launch Wednesday, Jan. 21, and it is a merger of three similar groups: Leading Edge (for Executive Directors), Volunteer Management Group, and Cowichan Fundraisers Exchange.
The group will be open to any organization, not for profit or for profit, who believes that our community is better served through connecting, communication and collaboration, according to a press release.
“Many of the Valley’s organizations currently work with limited staff and find it can be quite isolating,” Anne-Marie Koeppen of Volunteer Cowichan said in the release. “This new group is designed to share skills and resources, as well as provide support to each other.”
The group will be driven by the suggestions and topics of interest by those who attend.
Plans include regular speakers for professional development opportunities that are often beyond the budget of smaller organizations.
Members will meet about eight times a year for workshop-style training on a variety of issues identified by the members, as well as networking and sharing resources. A $5 to $10 donation will be requested to cover refreshments and a small stipend for speakers.
The group is also planning social evening mixers and a joint volunteer appreciation event in April during National Volunteer Week.
Networking for Non-Profits launches Jan. 21 from 10 a.m. to noon at Sands Reception Room on Trunk Road in Duncan. After a discussion about the group’s vision and plans, Rick Juliusson of FreeRange Consulting will lead a training workshop on Donor Cultivation. Doors open at 9:40 a.m. for coffee and networking.
For more information, or to register for the event or join the mailing list, visit www.FreeRangeConsulting.ca/Networking.