AVRBC 2013 Conference - Presenters

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Keynote - Susan J. Ellis

Susan Ellis is President of Energize, Inc., an international training, consulting, and publishing firm that specializes in volunteerism. She founded the Philadelphia-based company in 1977 and since that time has assisted clients throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, Israel and Australasia to create or strengthen their volunteer corps.

Susan is the author or co-author of twelve books, including From the Top Down: The Executive Role in Successful Volunteer Involvement (3rd edition, 2010), The Volunteer Recruitment Book, and By the People: A History of Americans as Volunteers. She has written more than 120 articles on volunteer management for dozens of publications; has posted a provocative “Hot Topic” essay on the Energize Web site monthly since 1997, and writes the national bi-monthly column, “On Volunteers,” for The NonProfit Times (since 1990).

Energize’s comprehensive Web site has won international recognition as a premier resource for leaders of volunteers: www.energizeinc.com. In 2000, she and Steve McCurley launched the field's first online journal, e-Volunteerism: The Electronic Journal of the Volunteer Community (www.e-volunteerism.com), for which she continues to serve as editor-in-chief. Energize also offers Everyone Ready^®, online volunteer management training for organizations and individuals (www.everyoneready.info), for which Susan serves as the dean of faculty.

Susan is an active volunteer in a variety of volunteerism associations and community groups.

Stacy Ashton

Stacy Ashton is Executive Director of Community Volunteer Connections, a Metro Vancouver volunteer centre. She is Vice President on the Board of Volunteer BC, and the provincial representative to Volunteer Canada’s Advisory Council for Volunteer Centres. Stacy is a member of the Administrators of Volunteer Resources BC, and an advocate for the key role Managers of Volunteers play in delivering the mission of countless non-profit organizations.

Elizabeth Backman

Elizabeth Backman is a former Montreal resident, who has been in Victoria for nearly two years and has launched her company to teach the ways of etiquette and civility in business and social settings. This endeavor came to be following years of witnessing the collapse of good manners and common courtesy during her careers in Montreal in the fashion industry’s manufacturing and retail segments. Elizabeth has motivated and taught valuable business lessons within companies’ operations and sales department but also stressed the importance of respect and communication with others. Adding her upbringing, which included private schools, and years of international business travel experience, Elizabeth has formulated a variety of workshops geared to improve the level of etiquette and civility of groups and individuals.

Beth Cougler Blom

Beth Cougler Blom has been involved in the volunteer management world for over ten years, first coordinating volunteers at a public health unit and then managing Volunteer Victoria’s training & outreach programs from 2006 to 2012. She also has over ten years’ experience facilitating workshops and delivering presentations, and started her own facilitation business in 2011, focusing on volunteer management topics. Beth possesses a Master of Education degree (The University of British Columbia) and a Certificate in Volunteer Management (Conestoga College) and has been a member of AVRBC since 2006.

Christopher Geater

Christopher Geater is not an expert. He is an experienced volunteer coordinator and non- profit manager who has worked with experts from around the world to develop dozens of services, knowledge projects, and resources for charities in Victoria, BC. Christopher is currently working towards ending homelessness in the city as part of the Victoria Cool Aid Society.

Tracey Gibson

Tracey worked in the non profit sector for over 15 years and realized that building relationships was the key to success. After graduating from Royal Roads University with a Certificate in Executive Coaching she created tracey g coaching. Her company is about working with people, small companies and organizations to help them find and build their internal strength. tracey g coaching is about accomplishing that which seems impossible. As well Tracey sits on two volunteer boards: Volunteer Victoria and Vancouver Island Coaches Association and is often found outdoors enjoying adventures with her family.

Randy Kennett

Randy Kennett is a recognized instructor of professional and personal development programs, and has over 15 years of human resources, leadership and business experience in North America and internationally. Randy is currently a Senior Advisor with Edge Learning, Principal with Hone Consulting, and an Instructor with college and university continuing education programs in B.C. As a professional in training and development, Randy currently facilitates many acclaimed programs including “Increasing Human Effectiveness” and “Respect: The Source of Our Strength”. His workshops are engaging, enjoyable, and impactful for clients that include non-profit, government, and businesses of all sizes. Randy also presents workshops as part of the British Columbia Human Resources Management Association (BC HRMA) professional development program, and volunteers with Junior Achievement in Victoria.

Denise Lloyd

Denise Lloyd, MA, CHRP, owner of Engaged HR, has held leadership roles in the non-profit industry for 20 years and was President of Volunteer Campbell River and on the Board of Volunteer BC in the early part of her career. Currently, Denise is a Board member for Volunteer Victoria and is Chair of the Vancouver Island Advisory Council for the BC Human Resource Management Association. As an HR specialist, Denise has had plenty of opportunity to learn the art of discipline and dismissal and, combined with her passion for training others will bring a light and interactive energy to this topic.

Diane Lloyd

Diane has spent the last 20 years as a fundraiser in the not-for-profit and public sector where volunteers at all levels were key to the success of the organization. In 2011, Diane left the field of fundraising to return to her passion for coaching and supporting others in developing their own potential. Her coach training is from Royal Roads University where she received a Graduate Certificate in Executive Coaching, and has launched her own coaching and consulting business -Results Imperative Group. Diane is currently developing a Mentorship Programs as a board member with AFP, and she is actively involved in the busy lives of her family.

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