I’ve been a little irregular on this blog lately so I thought I better post about why. There are several reasons! One is that I’ve been involved in planning and preparing for a work transition. Another is that I’ve been gearing up activities as Workshop Program Chair for the AVRBC conference coming up here in Victoria in May. And yet another is that I’ve been studying for a big international exam in volunteer management. Right about now, it’s all coming to a head at once.
The work transition…
Some of you know that I’ve been at Royal Roads University as an Instructional Designer this past year – I had taken on a one-year maternity leave contract. Well, my time there is almost up. In early June I’ll be moving on to a new position at the BC Cancer Agency. I’m thrilled!
This new position will be a great intertwining of my two specialities: volunteer management and training. It’s a .6 position that will allow me to still carry on my facilitation business activities in addition. I’m excited that I’ll be back working with volunteers again directly after this hiatus year.
The conference…
Those of us who have been working for the past year and a half (seriously!) on planning this conference are very ready for it to arrive. It’s going to be a fabulous three days of activities, starring the international expert in volunteer management, Susan Ellis. Our committee has finalized a slate of other terrific speakers as well. I’ve been anticipating this conference for a while because it means that we professionals in volunteer management get to spend two and a half days with each other talking about our field. And since there are some really fantastic people in this field, I can’t wait to see them all!
The exam…
The last thing I’ve been preparing for is to write the Certification in Volunteer Administration (CVA) exam on May 22. Everyone all around the world who is applying for this certification is writing the exam on the exact same day. The study book is lengthy but entirely relevant. Wish me luck as I try to fit in study time around everything else that’s going on!
And some other stuff…
I just taught a 1/2 day volunteer management workshop, presented a session at a conference, am starting to facilitate Royal Roads’s Instructional Skills Workshop Online course, and am currently planning to co-facilitate the blended model Foundations in Volunteer Management course coming up with Volunteer Burnaby in June. It’s a lot (I’ll admit, and there are some nights I really just have to take a break and drink wine and eat chocolate) but it really feels right.
Whew! It’s a lot but it’s awesome. Your enthusiasm comes through in the word and writing style. Way to go, Beth!