Summary of the Canada’s Volunteer Awards Armchair Discussion
From: Employment and Social Development Canada
Official title: Summary of the Exemplary Practices Armchair Discussion, Canada’s Volunteer Awards, 29 April 2022
“Diversity in this country is a fact, but inclusivity is a choice and it's one that we need to make each and every day.”
Armchair discussion
On April 29, the Canada’s Volunteer Awards hosted a virtual armchair discussion. Two respected leaders in the volunteer community shared their views and experiences around the theme “Diversity and Inclusion in the Voluntary Sector”.
Mr. Fimba Tankoano and Ms. Jane Hennig discussed the following questions.
- Why is it important for volunteering to be more inclusive?
- How has diversity and inclusion changed over the past few years?
- How important is it to have leaders from different backgrounds involved in our volunteer organisations? Do they serve as role models and leaders to show others they might also volunteer.
- People may be facing barriers to participate in volunteering. How do we get them to become curious and interested in volunteering? How do we invite them to start volunteering? What are some of the barriers that we are facing here?
- Imagine that you are in charge of a volunteer organisation. We need you to make your organisation more inclusive and open-minded. What are you going to do? How are you going to do that?
- What is the role of reciprocity in the relationship between an organisation and volunteers? How can it create a sense of belonging?
- Do we have a shared understanding of what volunteering is? Is there a shared understanding of how to create a successful volunteering process?
- The ability to move up into leadership positions lacks inclusion and equity. How much attention are we paying to this problem? What are your thoughts on this?
Key findings
- Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) need to be part of the organisational culture, at every level of an organisation
- There are differences even among “similar” experiences, and these differences make each voice unique
- Lived experience is an important voice at all levels of the organisation
- Take small steps – it may take time but it is moving forward
- Talk about EDI – the more normal it is to hear about it informally, the more normal it will become in an organisation
- Learn, build trust and build relationships
To request a copy of the full report
Telephone: 1-877-825-0434
Email: info-cva-pbc@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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