A new learning opportunity at Queen’s aims to provide practical tools and techniques to those who work with volunteers.

Presented by the Human Resources Department in partnership with Alumni Relations and Annual Giving, the Queen’s Volunteer Engagement Certificate (QVEC) program offers residual benefits, says Sarah Indewey, Manager, Volunteer Relations and Reunions in the Office of Advancement.  

“Volunteerism is an integral component of the work that we do in Alumni Relations and Annual Giving,” she says. “As we strive to improve the way we work with volunteers in our own organization, we hope to share experiences and connect with volunteer managers throughout the university. We think it will be valuable to develop a network of volunteer coordinators with a variety of perspectives to learn from and support each other.”

QVEC has been designed especially for Queen’s faculty and staff who work with volunteers, explains Maryanne Wainman, Alumni Officer, Volunteer Relations and Reunions. “This is a wonderful opportunity to gain certification customized to working with Queen’s volunteers.”

Offered in five modules, the course is a blend of in-class sessions and self-directed learning. Topics include how to develop a framework for your volunteer network and strategies to enhance the volunteer experience.

The partnership came about a year ago when Volunteer Relations staff approached Human Resources with the idea of offering training in volunteer engagement, which would draw on the expertise of Advancement staff who work with volunteers.

“Since the inception of the Volunteer Relations unit in 2012, we’ve had the opportunity to engage individually with a number of Queen’s colleagues about volunteer-related issues, and through this work had the sense that a volunteer engagement certificate program would be in high demand,” Ms. Wainman says.

While there are precedents at other institutions, what sets QVEC apart is that the course content is tailored to working with volunteers in the higher-education context, and at Queen’s in particular, she says. “While I can’t say for sure if it’s a first, it’s definitely unique,” Ms. Wainman says.

To register for QVEC and to learn about other certificate opportunities visit the HR learning catalogue. For more information, visit queensu.ca/qvec  and www.facebook.com/groups/QueensVEC/events