Volunteer board development workshops proving to be extremely successful

ALBERTON, PE – February 13, 2014 – A series of workshops titled Volunteer Board Development being offered by PEI’s five Rural Action Centres are proving to be extremely popular and successful, according to Bonnie Gallant, Executive Director of RDÉE Prince Edward Island, the organization coordinating these workshops.

“The sessions throughout the Island are pretty well filled up and we’ve even got waiting lists in some areas,” said Ms. Gallant.

The first Rural Action Centre (RAC) to host this series, the Alberton centre, had a total of 10 organizations represented during consecutive Tuesday evenings in January. The topics covered were: Effective Meetings, Recruitment and Retention, and Financial Responsibilities. Five other communities across the Island will be hosting these sessions over the next couple of months.

Barb MacDonald, Client Information Officer with the Alberton RAC, was quite pleased with the training, which was delivered by Paula Gallant, from Training and Facilitation. “It provided a valuable opportunity for members of our local communities to become more efficient and effective,” said Ms. MacDonald.

The workshops, funded by the Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development, are designed to assist volunteer groups with the challenges and rewards of working on not-for-profit boards.

IMPORTANT COMPONENT

“Leadership development training is an important component for commercial business and not-for-profit success,” said the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, on behalf of the Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (ACOA). “I am pleased to announce our Government’s contribution of $6,750, which will support entrepreneurial and community economic development across the Island.”

“The provincial government is very pleased to support volunteers serving on community boards,” said Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development Minister Ron MacKinley.  “Having knowledgeable effective board members can strengthen the local economy and enhance the quality of life for rural residents.”

The training is available to all types of volunteer boards, including community development, resource development, sports organizations, seniors clubs and others.

The training at Central Bedeque RAC is already well underway. The Wellington RAC will receive its training (in French) this month, and the Montague and Souris RACs have both scheduled their training for March.

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CUTLINE: The first round of volunteer board training, in Alberton, was a huge success. Pictured here, from left, during one of the three workshops are: Angie Gallant from the O’Leary United Church Board of Stewards and Trustees, Paula Gallant from Training and Facilitation in Charlottetown, and Maxine MacLean from Kids West Inc.

For more information:

Bonnie Gallant
Executive director
RDÉE Prince Edward Island Inc.
(902) 854-3439, ext. 232
bonnie@rdeeipe.org