8th Annual Volunteer Leadership Symposium
More than 30 years ago, there was no such thing as a wildlife rehabilitation centre in Nova Scotia. Hope Swinimer set out to change that and the way people treat wild animals. She began helping them one-by-one, using a room in her house and a few cages in the backyard.
Fast forward to today, wildlife from across Nova Scotia is triaged and helped at the Hope For Wildlife Centre. Hope’s tenacity and dedication enabled her to overcome longstanding barriers and change the way we think and care about wild animals. Hearing her story may inspire your passion to fulfill your mission.
Morning Sessions
ReWire, ReFire, Inspire: Find Your Passions and Make a Plan
Join us for a fun session on how to steal yourself away from your routine, delve into finding those inner passions and discover ways to bypass barriers which may interfere. It's Your Time- Go For It!
About The Presenter: Kym Hume B.A, B.Ed., M.Ed. is a professional consultant and active community member known for her leadership and facilitation of professional development in Neurodivergent Education, Autism, Learning, Behavioural Disorders and Social Emotional Learning. Kym is an experienced teacher and former school administrator for AVRCE. She is newly retired from her role as an affiliate instructor at Acadia University in the School of Education. She is on the Kings Volunteer resource centre and Volunteer Nova Scotia.
About The Presenter: Heather McCormick loved her 40 year career as a teacher and high school principal in Annapolis County. She has worked on community projects such as a new gym and music room, building renovations at the Annapolis Arts Council, the Academy Reconstruction Project, CORAH and Fundy Hospice. Since early 2024, she has been volunteering with a Board who is currently knee deep in an Affordable Housing Project.
AI Powered Marketing: Practical Tools for Small Organizations
Artificial intelligence is changing how organizations connect with their communities — and you don't need a big budget or tech background to take advantage of it. In this hands-on workshop, Shaun Whynacht of Blue Cow Marketing will walk you through the practical, everyday AI tools that can save you hours on marketing and social media. You'll learn how to use AI to write compelling social media posts, create eye-catching graphics, plan content calendars, and even automate repetitive tasks — all with free or low-cost tools available right now. Whether you're a one-person team or a small organization trying to stretch your marketing efforts further, you'll walk away with actionable strategies you can put to work immediately. Shaun brings real-world experience helping businesses and organizations across Nova Scotia harness technology to work smarter, and he'll share what's changed in the AI landscape since last year's symposium — spoiler: a lot. Come ready to learn, ask questions, and get hands-on with the tools that are leveling the playing field for organizations of all sizes.
About The Presenter: Shaun Whynacht is the Head Marketing Strategist and founder of Blue Cow Marketing, where he has spent over 12 years helping businesses and organizations grow through innovative, technology-driven strategies. A lifelong entrepreneur with a passion for making complex tools accessible, Shaun has been at the forefront of AI and marketing automation — helping clients across Canada unlock new levels of efficiency and impact. He brings that same practical, no-jargon approach to this workshop, making AI understandable and immediately useful for nonprofit professionals and volunteers alike.
Estate Planning & Planned Giving (Designed for middle age and older registrants)
This workshop will feature a presentation to participants who are interested or considering wealth management/planning issues around charitable giving and the legal and tax strategies and implications that this subject matter raises. He will also use real life examples of successful and less successful experiences that he has observed during his lengthy Wealth Management career with Nesbit Burns. In addition to his presentation, Mike will encourage questions, discussion and experiences from those attending this session.
About The Presenter: Mike Townsend CFB, BBA,CIC has been in the Money Management/ Investment Business for over 30 years. As a graduate of Acadia University, Mike has very active in his community and has served on two Boards ( Wolfville Children’s Centre & the Valley Hospice Foundation.
Afternoon Sessions
Navigating Volunteer Stress: Recognition and Response Techniques
There’s no denying that we are living in unprecedented times in this world of ours. The news cycle, social media doom scrolling, new pressures in the workplace and in the home, are escalating feelings of high personal stress in growing numbers. Understanding your own personal triggers for stress and knowing how to manage it are critical life skills. Volunteers are reporting that they are experiencing stress more often today. This presentation will discuss ways in which both volunteers and organizations who rely on volunteers, can acknowledge and address stress proactively.
About The Presenter: Kym Hume B.A, B.Ed., M.Ed. is a professional consultant and active community member known for her leadership and facilitation of professional development in Neurodivergent Education, Autism, Learning, Behavioural Disorders and Social Emotional Learning. Kym is a experienced teacher and former school administrator for AVRCE. She is newly retired from her role as an affiliate instructor at Acadia University in the School of Education. She is on the Kings Volunteer resource centre and Volunteer Nova Scotia.
Co-Generational Volunteering: Challenges & Opportunities
This workshop will explore co-generational volunteering, covering topics such as motivation, communication, respecting boundaries, and honouring legacies.
About The Presenter: Genevieve Allen Hearn has over 20 years of experience working and volunteering in the community impact sector, with a specialization in festival and event planning. She currently serves as Tourism Strategy Manager with the Valley Regional Enterprise Network (Valley REN), where she leads initiatives to strengthen and grow the region’s visitor economy.
Charities working with Non-charities - a review of the substantial recent legal changes that make it easier
Charity lawyer Richard Bridge will provide an overview of the relatively new rules that allow charities to make grants to non-charities (CG 032 - https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/charities-giving/charities/policies-guidance/charities-making-grants-non-qualified-donees.html). Richard will also welcome and try to answer any and all questions about charity and non-profit law, time permitting!
About The Presenter: Richard Bridge is a Charity Lawyer.
Join us May 13 in Kentville for a chance to connect with Hope and other leaders in the nonprofit sector. It is shaping up to be a fantastic day of workshops and fresh connections with other volunteers from across the sector. Registration is now available. Get your ticket now.