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April 2026
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BAVA Member Meetings
BAVA Members meet the second Wednesday of each month via Zoom from 9 AM - 10 AM EST. (Note: BAVA does not meet in July or August).
Upcoming Meeting Dates
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Wednesday February 11
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Wednesday March 11
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Wednesday April 8
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Wednesday May 13 (Full Day Education Day)
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Wednesday June 10
For more information, contact Lori Ververs at lori.ververs@von.ca
BAVA Speaker Series - Spring 2026
2026 -Session TBD
Wednesday May 13, 2026 - 9am - 3pm
Barrie Public Library - Painswick Branch
This interactive, info-packed session is just $15 for BAVA members or $65 for non-members (includes a complimentary 2026 BAVA membership).
Space is limited. Registration details will be posted shortly. Questions, email Sherri Helsdingen at sherri.helsdingen@cnib.ca
National Volunteer Week
April 19-25, 2026 is National Volunteer Week in Canada. This is our chance to pay tribute to the millions of Canadian volunteers who graciously donate their time and talents to our communities!
BAVA represents over 20 agencies that rely on volunteers to extend their work and mission in the community. BAVA encourages you to show your appreciation by thanking a volunteer every chance you have!
Sing & Celebrate:
A Volunteer Thank-You Event
BAVA is celebrating National Volunteer Week 2026 in partnership with Choir Revolution.
We invite everyone who is active in the community to join this ridiculously fun, guided sing-along. All abilities of singers are welcome.
We'll be singing What a Wonderful World and other songs of Hope and Light.
Barrie - Tuesday April 7
Location: Donaleighs (28 Dunlop Street East, Barrie, L4N 1A2)
Collingwood - Monday April 13
Location: Harbour Street Fish Bar (10 Keith Ave Unit 403, Collingwood, CA L9Y 0W5)
Orillia - Wednesday April 15
Location: Couchiching Brewing (162 Mississauga Street E, Orillia, ON L3V 1V9)
Time: Doors/Social Hour: 6pm, Singing Starts: 7pm
Wear any swag (t-shirts, hats, pins, you name it!) from a charity you support and you could win a prize!
Get your tickets at https://www.choirrevolution.com/events. Volunteers get $5 off with coupon code “BAVA”!
International Volunteer Managers Day
Each year on November 5th, Volunteer Engagement professionals around the world join together to celebrate their contributions to the countless charities and non-profits where their skills and experience add significant value to their organization's mission outcomes.
Speaker Series: Past sessions
Past Topics:
2025 Spring Speaker Session
Can Collaboration Boost Volunteer Engagement?
In partnership with Jeff Abraham, CVA, Senior Manager Volunteer Engagement, Diabetes Canada, BAVA is pleased to host its 2025 Speaker Series with a focus on collaboration and ways you can increase volunteer engagement in YOUR organization.
2024 Spring Speaker Session
A.M. Session: Stepped Care Model for Mental Health
Liz Everett, Organizational Development Consultant, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care
P.M. Session: Inclusion & Equity: the Gilbert Centre
Dale Boyle (he/him), Executive Director, Gilbert Centre and BPL Creative Spaces Tour
2023 Include. Engage. Succeed. How to build diverse & inclusive volunteer teams
A.M. Session: Understanding the Multigen Mix
Janette McGee, General Manager of Youth & Newcomer Services, YMCA of Simcoe Muskoka
P.M. Session: Fostering Inclusive Organizations
Lennox LePage, Chairperson of Muskoka Price, Supervisor of Membership Sales & Service, Gravenhurst YMCA
2022 Harnessing the Superpowers of your Volunteer Teams
A.M. Session: Recruiting / Re-creating your Dream Team: how to inspire and support leadership volunteers within your organization
Frank Cappadocia, Associate Vice President, Lakehead University, Orillia
P.M. Session: Dealing with Difficult People: 7 Simple Steps to Success
Michael Lewis, Managing Director of Michael Lewis Training, Motivation and Development
BAVA would like to thank our sponsor, Lakehead University!
Natural Ways of Managing Stress with Dr. Michael Yarish, Naturopath highlighting ways busy volunteer administrators can manage stress and achieve work/life balance.
Shaping the Future of Your Organization: Hybrid Conference with Rob Jackson (UK), Andy Frayar (Australia) and Tony Goodrow (Canada) presenting on how to engage 21st century volunteers, to "position the profession", and what we can learn about (volunteer) leadership from the corporate world.
Volunteerism and Mental Health: Working and Supporting Volunteers with Mental Health Issues with Marg Gow, Coordinator of Volunteer Resources and Aleta Armstrong, Manager of Community Awareness, Youth Services EPI & Umbrellas, Canadian Mental Health Association, Simcoe County Branch
