BRAVA
Brant Regional Association of Volunteer Administrators
Meetings + Membership
Collaboration and Idea Sharing
Being a BRAVA member means being able to work with other volunteer administrators to share wins, problem solve harder situations, and learn about our community's volunteer landscape.
Professional Development
BRAVA members enjoy professional development options throughout the year, including an annual full-day workshop each fall. This year's event is on October 20. See below for details!
Next Meeting
We meet on the third Thursday each month (except for April, July & August). Some meetings are virtual, some are in-person.
Our next meeting is in person on Thursday October 15th at 9:00 a.m. (location TBA).
Join Us!
Want to become a BRAVA member? Join us for a meeting to see what we are all about, or complete our online membership form to join us for only $50 for a full year!
Volunteer Management Hybrid Conference
BRAVA has proudly partnered with Volunteer Management Professionals of Canada (VMPC) to be a host site for the Volunteer Management Hybrid Conference. This event brings together international subject matter experts in the field of Volunteer Engagement for a full day interactive workshop full of presentations, panel discussions and local conversation.
Theme: Embracing the Future of Volunteer Engagement – Building for Resilience and Sustainability
Date: Tuesday October 20th
Time: 11:00 am – 5:30 pm
Location: TB Costain/SC Johnson Community Centre (16 Morrell St, Brantford)
Cost: $55 for BRAVA members, $65 for non-BRAVA members
Light refreshments will be provided. Please advise of any dietary restrictions when registering. Free parking available at venue.
Registration available online here. Register early as space is limited. Payment due upon registration.
See below for more information on this year’s speakers and session topics:
Nostalgia Is Not a Strategy: Leading Volunteer Engagement Through Change
Presented by: Jessica Pang-Parks, CVA
Volunteer engagement is too often treated as an afterthought instead of a strategy for building trust. This session helps you spot the habits in your own organization that feel safe but no longer serve your cause — and gives you one concrete shift you can make right away.
Making the Data Work for You: Impact Reporting for Program Sustainability
Presented by: Michele Wiesner, MPA, CVA
You're collecting data — but is it working hard enough for you? This session introduces a practical framework for turning the data you already have into a compelling impact report that gets leadership's attention.
The AI Toolkit: 4 Free Tools to Transform Your Volunteer Program
Presented by: Veronica Torres Deally
AI is a catalyst for capacity by helping small teams do big things. In this practical session, you’ll discover how to use AI as your "digital assistant" to eliminate administrative burnout and reclaim your time. We will walk through four powerful, free AI tools that handle the heavy lifting of documentation and logistics, so you can focus on what truly matters: building deeper, more meaningful connections with your volunteers. Key Takeaway: Learn the "Human-First" workflow to automate the robotic and prioritize the relational.
Keeping the Heart Beating: Future-Proofing Volunteer Programs
Presented by: Bec Treby
Volunteer programs are being asked to do more than ever before—often with limited resources, increasing expectations, and a rapidly changing volunteer landscape. How can we move beyond reacting to immediate challenges and instead build volunteer programs designed to thrive for years to come?
