Non-Profit Week Overview
From February 10 to 14, ECVO will be hosting our inaugural Non-Profit Week! Join us for a week of networking and learning as we bring together the sector to celebrate our community impact.
The non-profit sector is essential to Edmonton’s ecosystem, contributing to economic growth, advancing shared prosperity, and creating vibrant communities.
Throughout the week, ECVO will celebrate the significant contributions of non-profit organizations in Metro Edmonton. From networking mixers to panel discussions and interactive webinars, connect with and learn from sector leaders, peers, and experts.
Here is an overview of some of what is in store during Non-Profit Week 2025. To register for each event, please visit our events page here.
Monday, February 10 – Communications
Learn how to pitch and tell your organization's story across various media outlets with our panel of media experts and book a time to get professional headshots during our Communications Day.
Tuesday, February 11 – Governance & Leadership
Dive into governance with a panel discussion on transforming your organization’s governance system and join us for a drop-in afternoon session on how your organization can reimagine the AGM experience to engage and excite your membership.
Wednesday, February 12 – Human Resources Panel in Partnership with CPHR & ACSN Drop-In
Bring your questions to our HR panel Wednesday morning, as panel experts share their insight and diverse perspectives on compensation strategies they have used to ensure compensation is beyond a salary or hourly wage.
Are you an ECVO member and have organizational questions? Drop in during the afternoon to have those questions answered by the Alberta Community Supports Network (ACSN) volunteer consultants.
Thursday, February 13 – Government Relations & Advocacy
Attend a session on how to work with government officials and craft key messages during an election year. Spend the evening networking at a members-only mixer with elected officials. Join MLAs, MPs, and City Council members to share your story and build relationships. Not a member yet? There is still time to join ECVO and register! (Here is the membership link)
Friday, February 14 – AI & Insurance
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a big topic! Explore the ethics of AI use within an non-profit context during our interactive online session.
Non-profits carry many different risks depending on the nature of the work they do. Mitigating those risks can vary depending on the organization. Join our experts as we discuss how to understand risk management and how insurance plays a role.
LOCATION
ECVO Training Room
Suite 101, Elm Business Park
9426-51 Avenue NW, Edmonton AB T6C 0Y6
REFUND POLICY
Cancellation by OrganizerIn the event of a cancellation of the event by the ECVO, registrants will be notified immediately via email, and a full refund will be issued.
CONTACT US
If you have any questions regarding this program, please email us at membership@ecvo.ca.
Purchase a Week-Long Member Pass!
members are eligible to purchase a week-long pass for open access to all events and sessions throughout Non-Profit Week, plus receive a professional headshot! (Bookings for headshots now open for February 10 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. - space is limited, so book early.)
HOW PASSES WORK
DETAILS
Cancellation by OrganizerIn the event of a cancellation of the event by the ECVO, registrants will be notified immediately via email and a full refund will be issued.
If you have any questions regarding this program, please email communications@ecvo.ca.
Bookings for headshots are now open for February 10 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Space is limited, so book early to secure your spot!
Pitch Perfect: How to Successfully Pitch Your Story to the Media
Whether you are new to media relations or a seasoned professional looking to refine your skills, this session is for you!
Join us for an engaging and informative discussion featuring local media experts Ryan Jespersen, host of Real Talk, Su-Ling Goh, award-winning former Global Edmonton health reporter, and Kelly Banks, Executive Producer of Programming and Engagement at CBC Edmonton, who will share their insider tips and secrets on how to effectively pitch your story to the media in 2025.
What to Expect:
Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your media pitching skills and tell your organization's story with confidence and flair!
About the Panel
Ryan Jespersen
Ryan Jespersen hosts Real Talk, one of Canada's most-downloaded modern talk shows. Ryan is a longtime Edmonton radio host and TV host, including The Ryan Jespersen Show on 630 CHED (now 880 CHED) and Breakfast Television on Citytv. He recently graced the cover of Edify Magazine as the "Prince of Podcasting". Ryan was named one of Alberta's 50 Most Influential People by Venture Magazine, and was on Avenue's inaugural list of Edmonton's Top 40 Under 40.
Su-Ling Goh
Su-Ling Goh is the Senior Communications Advisor for Give Life Alberta (formerly the Alberta Organ and Tissue Donation Program). She proudly joined the team after 17 years as the award-winning Health Reporter at Global Edmonton, where she always felt honoured to share inspirational stories of generous donor families and grateful recipients. In her new role with AHS, Su-Ling is encouraging a culture of donation in Alberta through awareness campaigns, community engagement and public education sessions. She has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alberta and a diploma in Radio and Television from NAIT.
Kelly Banks
Kelly Banks is the Executive Producer of Programming and Engagement at CBC Edmonton. In her role, she oversees current affairs programming, podcasts, community engagement and special projects. Kelly has been with CBC since 2010, first on Radio Active as a chase producer and director, and then as the senior producer of assignment for over a decade, leading teams focused on gathering and producing daily news and enterprise content across platforms.
Prior to that, she worked for several years with CityTV producing and directing their live morning show.
Your Organization, Your Governance Session
Dive into governance with an online panel discussion on transforming your organization’s governance system. The panel will explore the difference between the actual rules verses the behaviours that have moved from “best” practice at the time to “permanent” practice. This discussion will highlight the challenges and opportunities in aligning organizational behavior with governance policies, ensuring that best practices remain relevant and effective over time.
Jennifer Beyers
Jen has spent two decades working and volunteering with the non-profit sector at operational, governance, and systemic levels. From program design and delivery and strategic and operational planning to governance processes and team and partnership development, she’s worked on it all.
Jen comes with strategies and passion for tackling the complex challenges we face through transformed policy development and community service delivery informed by collaborative dialogue that includes everyone, centres equity-deserving people, and builds true allyship with Indigenous Peoples.
David Feldman
David Feldman, B.Sc., M.A., PMP, Q. Med., is the Director of Learning and Development at ECVO. For almost 20 years, David has worked with nonprofit, project management advisory, and family business boards on a range of projects, challenges, and growth.
As a mediator, he helps support boards find common ground and a shared vision to bring their organization together, unite, and move forward. David has taken an interest in the deconstruction of the orthodox beliefs and traditions in governance to explore how we can change the design of our governance models to empower better governance and increase engagement in our organizations.
Online
If you have any questions regarding this program, please email us at membership@ecvo.ca .
Annual General Meetings (AGMs) are essential for governance and strategic direction, but many non-profit organizations struggle with low attendance and engagement. Rather than reducing quorum and compromising the quality of your governance, how can you reimagine the AGM experience to engage and excite your membership?
Join us for an interactive drop-in session designed to spark creativity when planning your AGM by focusing on impactful content and meaningful interactions – not just process. You’ll leave the session viewing your organization’s AGM as a platform for valuable insights and community building.
Bring your questions to our Human Resources CPHR panel, as panel experts share their unique insights and diverse perspectives on innovative total rewards strategies that go beyond compensation. This interactive panel discussion will delve into creative approaches to compensation, including benefits, incentives and recognition programs that can significantly enhance employee satisfaction and retention. Session attendees will gain valuable strategies to elevate their organization's approach to total rewards.
About CPHR
CPHR (Chartered Professionals in Human Resources) Canada represents 31,000 members in the Human Resources Profession across nine provinces and three territories in Canada. Established in 1994, CPHR Canada is the national voice on the enhancement and promotion of the HR Profession. With an established and credible designation and collaboration on national issues, we are proactively positioning the national human resources agenda in Canada and representing the Canadian HR Profession with HR Associations around the world.
Need expert Human Resources one to one guidance? Book a session with one of our dedicated ACSN volunteer consultants!
The Alberta Community Support Network is a group of community-minded consultants who offer consultancy services to non-profit organizations in Metro Edmonton. Each of their volunteers has experience in one or more areas essential to the successful operation of a non-profit or charitable organization.
ACSN VOLUNTEER CONSULTANTS
Allan McCalder
Allan is a Human Resources professional with broad range of experiences over a career of 30 years. Allan has assisted non-profits on matters as employment and employer obligations under the Alberta Employment Standards Act, role descriptions and organizational reporting, compensation reviews, and policy development.
Allan holds the Chartered Professional Human Resources and the Certified Compensation Professional designations along with two University degrees (Athabasca; Waterloo) and a Certificate in Municipal Management and Leadership (Alberta).
Peter Sikora
Peter's skills and expertise in Human Resources Management include areas such as collective bargaining, recruitment strategies, job evaluation and compensation planning.
Peter’s credentials include a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta along with several professional development programs and certificates related to human resources, including a Certificate in Municipal Management and Leadership from the University of Alberta.
Karen Sillito
Karen is an accomplished Human Resources professional, with credentials that include Bachelor of Human Resources and Labour Relations (Athabasca), the national CPHR designation, along with the Registered Professional Recruiter and Registered Professional Trainer designations. During her professional career she also possessed the Safety Auditor certification from Alberta Municipal Health and Safety.
Her professional experience spanned 27 years with the City of St. Albert, in a variety of HR roles. Karen skill set includes recruitment and hiring, policy development, respectful workplace programs, and employee relations.
9426-51 Avenue, Edmonton
Cancellation by Organizer In the event of a cancellation of the event by the ECVO, registrants will be notified immediately via email and a full refund will be issued.
If you have any questions regarding your headshot or booking a time, please email us at membership@ecvo.ca.
ECVO Members Only Reception: Connecting Elected Officials & Non-Profit Leaders
Discuss key issues, share perspectives and build relationships with policymakers in all three levels of government. Join our ECVO members only evening mixer with local MLAs, MPs and City Council members, hosted by Alberta Counsel.
Not a member? Purchase your ECVO membership here and then register for this free mixer!
Alberta Counsel
8 Floor, 9707 110 Street NW Edmonton
Actually, It CAN Happen to You: Leadership, Cybersecurity & Insurance
Don’t miss this opportunity to grow your understanding of the potential threats to your organization and what you can do about them!
OUR PANELISTS
The Edmonton Chamber of Voluntary Organizations empowers volunteers and non-profits in Metro Edmonton.
Learn more at ecvo.ca
For membership inquiries, email:
membership@ecvo.ca
or call 780-428-5487
Pop by for a visit:
Suite 101, Building 4,
Elm Business Park
9426 - 51 Avenue
Edmonton, AB T6E 5A6
ecvo.ca