Communiqué

National Volunteer Association Board Meeting
Correctional Service Canada
April 16-17, 2011

Elizabeth Van Allen, Assistant Commissioner, Public Affairs and Parliamentary Relations – As the Sector Head responsible for the volunteer program, Mrs. Van Allen participated in the National Volunteer Association (NVA) Board meeting. She made the following commitments in support of the program:

• To have a strategic discussion with Executive Committee of Correctional Service Canada (CSC) regarding volunteers
• Visit the regions and meet with volunteers as well as Volunteer Coordinators, and attend Regional Management Committees
• Develop a communications strategy
• Discuss with the Learning and Development team:
  • the potential for volunteers to participate in on-site training
  • training on the volunteer program for new employees
• Have a discussion on the management of volunteers with Correctional Operations and Programs

Follow-up on the 2010 Taylor Award –The Board was truly delighted with the event to recognize Joyce Waddell, the award recipient. Particular thanks were conveyed to Eileen Woloshyn, NVA volunteer board member, and Dianne Antony, Regional Volunteer Coordinator for the Ontario Region, for their tremendous work in organizing the event.

Work plan – The 2010-2011 NVA work plan was reviewed and a revised 2011-2012 plan will be developed shortly.

Community Relations Regional Conferences – A letter will be sent to Elizabeth Van Allen, and copied to Don Head, Commissioner, as well as Mark Nafekh, Director, Citizen Engagement, to thank them for their support for the Community Relations Regional Conferences. The letter will highlight the importance of these types of events in further strengthening the relationship between Citizen Advisory Committees, LifeLine stakeholders, CSC staff and volunteers.