Volunteers Connect is a loose organization of volunteers and staff from cultural institutions around the GTA who gather twice a year to discuss shared issues and strategies. The group held its most recent meeting on October 26 at the Bata Shoe Museum.  Shelagh Barrington reports:

The well attended meeting began with a welcome from Chair Phyllis Couzin, AGO volunteer.

The first presentation was by the AGO’s Melissa Smith on Managing Change (or what not to do!). Melissa was well organized and presented an effective and heartfelt talk, accompanied by humorous slides on her experience as a new volunteer Coordinator at the AGO.

Larry Lewis, Harbourfront volunteer, followed with a relaxed talk about how the volunteers and staff cooperate to host a extremely busy and full schedule of events and festivals, year round at Harbourfront.  He then introduced Fatima Filippi, Executive Director, Rexdale Women’s Centre, with a series of slides reminding us all of the conflicts refugees are suffering through around the world today. Fatima gave a detailed explanation of what they accomplish for a diverse group of vulnerable immigrant women and families.  Phyllis Couzin then spoke of the heart warming welcome hosted for 50 Syrian women refugees by Harbourfront in July 2017.

There was a 20 minute coffee break followed by lively and informative round table discussion led by Andrea Field, Bata Museum staff, on Volunteer Recruitment Strategies. 

The next meeting will be held in April 2018.