Building Better Communities - TOGETHER!

The community-focused training collaboratively hosted by the County of Grande Prairie, M.D. of Greenview, and the Government of Alberta will feature expert presentations and interactive sessions to build organizational strength and success for volunteer groups in rural contexts.

Participants will leave the conference with tools and resources to establish collaborative networks and work towards long-term growth.

Conference extras and experiences:

• Browse our Community Connections Corridor to meet with agencies and organizations that support nonprofit and charity organizations.
• Exclusive legal consultation sessions with IntegralOrg, bookable during registration (FOUR AVAILABLE - first come, first serve booking).
• Exclusive conference resources to support organizational success.
• Catered lunch (SPONSORED BY TC ENERGY) and coffee breaks (SPONSORED BY MNP) to keep you refreshed and ready for a full day of learning and connecting.

KEY NOTE SESSION:

• The New World of Volunteers with Brenda Robinson

Info: Funding has never been more competitive—but opportunities have never been greater.

This practical session will explore where funding comes from, what funders are really looking for, common mistakes that cost organizations funding, and how to position your organization for long-term success. Participants will leave with practical strategies they can immediately apply—whether they're writing their first grant or building a long-term funding strategy.

Info: Volunteers are essential to many organizations, programs, events, and community initiatives. This workshop explores the three R’s of volunteer management: recruitment, retention, and recognition. Participants will look at what helps people choose to volunteer, what helps them stay involved, and what helps them feel valued for the contribution they make.
The session will focus on practical strategies for creating a stronger volunteer experience from beginning to end. Participants will consider how to clearly describe volunteer roles, match people to meaningful opportunities, provide support and communication, and recognize volunteers in ways that are sincere, specific, and connected to impact.
By the end of the workshop, participants will have a better understanding of how recruitment, retention, and recognition work together to build a volunteer program that is organized, respectful, and sustainable.

Info: Strong financial oversight is one of the most important responsibilities of a nonprofit board.
This session provides actionable tools and best practices to support informed decision-making and long-term organizational sustainability. Whether you are a new board member or an experienced community leader, this session will help you confidently fulfill your stewardship role and contribute to a financially healthy organization.

Info: SPONSORED BY BEAR CREEK FUNERAL HOME - This session provides an overview of Alberta's Cemeteries Act and the regulatory framework governing cemetery operations within the province. Participants will gain a practical understanding of key legislative requirements, common operational and maintenance considerations, and frequently asked questions from cemetery owners/operators. The session will conclude with information on available resources and points of contact to support ongoing compliance.

Info: Join this interactive 60-minute conversation as it creates space for peer-to-peer dialogue on the realities, challenges, and opportunities facing nonprofit boards.
Through guided small-group discussions, participants will explore practical strategies to respond to evolving community needs. Attendees will leave with shared insights, new connections, and actionable ideas they can bring back to their boards.

Info: This session is intended for Additional Named Insured non-profit facilities and groups in the County of Grande Prairie. It will focus on: insurance 101, simple breakdown of the policy (Coverages); occupiers Liability, owner /operator responsibility of operating a facility; importance of waivers “Assumption of Risk” for ANI hosted events; importance of insurance requirements from renters of the facility; ANI reasonability to the Main Policy Holder County of GP; best practices of building operations; the importance of routine inspections / maintenance; and the claims handling process.

Info: Every community organization is responsible for assets that matter—arenas, halls, parks, museums, theatres, equipment, trails, or community centres. Yet many boards inherit aging facilities without a plan to maintain them.

Deferred maintenance doesn't save money—it simply delays the bill.

This engaging session will show boards how to move from reacting to emergencies toward building a practical, affordable capital management strategy. Participants will learn how to understand the true condition of their facilities, prioritize investments, reduce risk, and create plans that inspire confidence from members, municipalities, donors, and grant programs.

Whether your organization owns one building or an entire community campus, you'll leave with practical tools to protect today's investments while preparing for tomorrow.

Info: Strong governance is the foundation of a healthy, resilient nonprofit organization. This practical, action-oriented session supports Alberta nonprofit boards in moving beyond reactive decision-making toward proactive governance that strengthens accountability, and long-term sustainability.
The session will highlight the relationship between bylaws, policies, and procedures, and clarify the distinct roles of boards, staff and volunteers.
Using real-world examples and facilitated discussion, attendees will learn how to identify gaps, conduct a policy audit, and determine when new policies (and procedures) are needed. The session will focus on common pressure points faced by boards, (such as people management, financial oversight), providing tools to shift from short-term issues management to long-term solutions.

Info: SPONSORED BY OLIVER'S FUNERAL HOME - Relationships are at the heart of every thriving community. In this session, Laura explores how showing up consistently, listening with intention, and communicating authentically can strengthen trust and deepen community connections. Drawing on stories and practical lessons from communities across Northwestern Alberta, she'll share simple, actionable approaches participants can use to build stronger relationships, increase engagement, and create lasting impact.

Info: Why volunteer - why not?
In today's busy, busy world it is challenging to find enough volunteers to keep our communities doing what they do best.
What can we do to get more volunteers?
Explore 10 strategies for motivating volunteers in this new fast paced, device driven world we live in. We can no longer just expect people to volunteer. Let's influence them to volunteer because of the advantages we can all experience when we volunteer in our communities.
Do it because it's fun!

Event venue & nearby stays

Evergreen Park, 55051 Township Rd 710, Grande Prairie, Canada

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.

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