Non-profit Workshops
The Trust is hosted a series of free in-person workshops, Fall 2025 that helped build the knowledge and capacity of non-profits. These workshops are for Basin non-profits and their staff and volunteers.
In addition to these in-person workshops, the Trust hosts a series of webinars, learn about upcoming webinars here.
Past Workshops
Recruiting and Retaining Great Volunteers: Strategies That Work – Nakusp
This interactive, in-person workshop offers practical strategies and proven practices to strengthen your volunteer program. Whether you’re building your volunteer base or looking to energize your existing team, you’ll walk away with practical tools and new ideas that can take your volunteer engagement to the next level. While this workshop is focused on volunteerism, we will also discuss how many of these practices apply to recruiting and retaining staff. Ideal for: Non-profit staff, volunteer coordinators, board members, and community organizers.
Kelvin Saldern has spent over 25 years working with nonprofits, local governments, and grassroots groups all across BC. He’s a community development consultant and effective facilitator (and an active volunteer board member) who’s passionate about helping organizations thrive, especially when it comes to things like strategic planning, board development and volunteer engagement. Kelvin brings a practical, hands-on approach to his workshops, along with a friendly and inclusive style that makes it easy to learn and participate.
This workshop was on September 17, 2025.
Ten Steps to Successful Strategic Planning – Creston
This session will cover tips for preparing to plan, setting achievable goals, and involving the right people in the planning process. Examples and planning tools will be included. Participants are encouraged to bring their organization’s plan to the session for feedback.
Val Mayes has been working in the field of community development for over 40 years. She has a Masters in Adult Education from the University of Alberta and has worked with a wide range of organizations, teaching sessions on leadership, risk management, board development, working with volunteers, and other topics relevant to nonprofit and community-based groups. Through her consulting business Building Connections Training and Consulting (established 2001) Val has helped multiple groups with planning, decision-making and working collaboratively to achieve shared goals.
This workshop was on September 23, 2025.
Ten Steps to Successful Strategic Planning – Taghum
This session will cover tips for preparing to plan, setting achievable goals, and involving the right people in the planning process. Examples and planning tools will be included. Participants are encouraged to bring their organization’s plan to the session for feedback.
Val Mayes has been working in the field of community development for over 40 years. She has a Masters in Adult Education from the University of Alberta and has worked with a wide range of organizations, teaching sessions on leadership, risk management, board development, working with volunteers, and other topics relevant to nonprofit and community-based groups. Through her consulting business Building Connections Training and Consulting (established 2001) Val has helped multiple groups with planning, decision-making and working collaboratively to achieve shared goals.
This workshop was on September 24, 2025.
Recruiting and Retaining Great Volunteers: Strategies That Work – Sparwood
This interactive, in-person workshop offers practical strategies and proven practices to strengthen your volunteer program. Whether you’re building your volunteer base or looking to energize your existing team, you’ll walk away with practical tools and new ideas that can take your volunteer engagement to the next level. While this workshop is focused on volunteerism, we will also discuss how many of these practices apply to recruiting and retaining staff. Ideal for: Non-profit staff, volunteer coordinators, board members, and community organizers.
Kelvin Saldern has spent over 25 years working with nonprofits, local governments, and grassroots groups all across BC. He’s a community development consultant and effective facilitator (and an active volunteer board member) who’s passionate about helping organizations thrive, especially when it comes to things like strategic planning, board development and volunteer engagement. Kelvin brings a practical, hands-on approach to his workshops, along with a friendly and inclusive style that makes it easy to learn and participate.
This workshop was on October 2, 2025.
Non-Profit Board Success – Genelle
A strong board is essential to nonprofit effectiveness. This workshop will provide practical tools and guidance to help board members and nonprofit leaders strengthen governance, clarify roles and responsibilities, and increase board engagement.
Margaret Sutherland has worked with non-profit organizations for the past 25 years- as an employee and board member. She retired as executive director from Decoda Literacy Solutions, B.C.’s provincial literacy organization, in 2022. She is currently the board chair of the Selkirk College Board of Governors.
This workshop was on October 7, 2025.
Non-Profit Board Success – Kimberley
A strong board is essential to nonprofit effectiveness. This workshop will provide practical tools and guidance to help board members and nonprofit leaders strengthen governance, clarify roles and responsibilities, and increase board engagement.
Margaret Sutherland has worked with non-profit organizations for the past 25 years- as an employee and board member. She retired as executive director from Decoda Literacy Solutions, B.C.’s provincial literacy organization, in 2022. She is currently the board chair of the Selkirk College Board of Governors.
This workshop was on October 8, 2025.
