Click on the presenter's names within each individual session description to access the PowerPoint presentations. Note: where sessions have no links, PowerPoints are unavailable. Presentations are saved in PDF format.

Monday,  November 21, 1.5 Hour Sessions
M22 – M27
4 pm – 5:30 pm

M22: Save More with Power Smart

BC Hydro’s Power Smart team offers extensive residential and commercial incentive programs, funneling millions of dollars every year into conservation projects. Many of these funding opportunities are under-accessed by non-profit societies and offer significant potential to not only reduce energy bills, but also cut maintenance costs and improve building appearance and occupant comfort. Further, improving energy efficiency in tenant units can help lower-income tenants who may be struggling with high energy bills.

Come learn more about electrical and mechanical controls, building envelopes, and behavioural energy-saving opportunities for your properties. This session will focus on updating or building your toolkit with the most current technical support, tools, programs, rebates, and no-cost offers available from BC Hydro Power Smart to help you seize these savings opportunities.

Presenters: Paul Seo, Senior Program Manager, Commercial Power Smart Partner Program, BC Hydro; and Brenda Willington, Program Manager, Residential Marketing, BC Hydro Power Smart.

This session is sponsored by BC Hydro.

M23: George Whiten Place – Renovation Project Case Study

This presentation will highlight the collaboration between a housing provider and BC Housing to successfully deliver a renovation project under a mix of resource and stakeholder pressures. This session is intended for existing housing providers who are either involved with BC Housing project delivery or are considering a partnership with BC Housing for the renovation or recapitalization of projects. Session objectives include the application of best practices around project management and topics around relationship management. Attendees will learn about:

• project budget development;
• scope of work development;
• project management; and
• risk registries.

Presenters: Jas Purewal, Manager, Housing Provider, Capital Improvements, BC Housing; and Dr. Leslie Peer, Principal, Read Jones Christoffersen Ltd.

This session is sponsored by BC Housing.

M24: Strategies to House Women and Children Fleeing Violence

This session will explore practical ways to house and support women leaving domestic violence that are readily accessible to all housing providers, regardless of training in the domestic violence field. It will also define and outline the spectrum of supportive housing options available to women fleeing abuse, from short-term options such as transition houses and second-stage housing to long-term social housing through non-profits, co-ops, and BC Housing. Following the presentation, audience members will be able to:

• identify the challenges faced by women and their children fleeing abuse in obtaining and maintaining housing;
• utilize practical tools to assist women fleeing abuse in maintaining successful tenancies;
• describe the importance of safety in housing women fleeing abuse; and
• understand the importance of housing providers and community to work together throughout the housing process.

Presenters: Sairoz Sekhon, Women’s Transitional Housing and Supports Manager, BC Housing; Melissa Linteris; Priority Placement Program Coordinator, BC Housing; and Laurie Parsons, Director of Women’s Services, BC Society of Transition Houses.

M25: Transitional Housing – Effectiveness in Breaking the Cycle of Homelessness

The purpose of a recent SSHRC– (Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council) and CMHC– (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation) funded community-based study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the transitional housing program in reducing homelessness for those who use emergency shelters. Initiated by staff, shelter workers and academics were co-researchers in the development of this project. Conducted over two years (from 2008 to 2010), the research included intake, exit, and follow-up surveys of residents. Transitional shelter data was compared to other emergency outreach programs, and revealed that the transitional shelter program is serving individuals with higher rates of mental health and substance use problems. Findings indicate that the program facilitated access to housing in a rental market characterized by low vacancy rates and high costs. Further, the program connected clients to primary healthcare services and social supports that contributed to improved health. However, people still experienced food insecurity and rental supports were time-limited. The findings of this research highlight that transitional housing can facilitate access to housing but not necessarily break the cycle of poverty. In this presentation, we will discuss the findings and identify areas for further research and action in developing transitional housing programs.

Presenters: Bernie Pauly RN, Ph.D, Associate Professor, School of Nursing, and Scientist, Centre for Addictions Research of BC (CARBC), University of Victoria; and Mike Ranfft, Client Service Worker, Victoria Cool Aid Society.

M26: Attracting and Retaining Volunteers

Volunteers are a highly valuable resource to non-profit organizations. While we often try to calculate the monetary value of volunteers, they are, for the most part, very happy to donate their time and expertise. Indeed, many organizations could not survive without the many dedicated volunteers who offer their services. This being the case, where do we find volunteers and what do we need to do to retain this valuable resource? Through shared discussion and exercises, participants will leave this session with recruitment and retention techniques and an overview of the staff and volunteer relationship.

Presenter: BCNPHA Certified Instructor Angela Sealy, CEO, Westcoast Facilitators Group.

This session is sponsored by Coinamatic Canada.

M27: Ten Common Legal Pitfalls and How Healthy Non-Profits Can Sidestep Them

Does your board know what a T3010 Form is? Can we provide notice of a meeting by email? Can we lease space to a for-profit company? Who is on your membership register? What the heck is a membership register? When should your executive director or your board be worried? When do you call a lawyer? Join non-profit lawyer Martha Rans and explore her legal diagnostic to see how you and your organization can avoid some of the most common legal problems a non-profit organization in BC can face. Based on a real-life situation that ended with a non-profit housing organization closing its doors, Martha will help identify issues, walk through the answers, and demystify the law.

Presenter: Martha Rans, Non-Profit and Charity Lawyer