Join BCACG & Volunteer BC – at VOLUNTEER FUTURES SYMPOSIUM 2017 – WORLD OPPORTUNITY. Annual Training Event for Volunteers, Non-Profits & Charities.

Cost-effective event known for its inspiring keynote addresses, practical workshops and relevant sessions with plenty of opportunities to network with colleagues and volunteers from across BC.

Anyone wanting to learn more about volunteerism and non-profit/charities sector can attend. Sign language interpreters are available making this event accessible for people who are deaf and hard of hearing.

Topics: Technology for non-profits, engaging youth, volunteer management, diversity in leadership & more.

Keynotes: Bill Walters, DiverseCity onBoard  & David Battey, Founder of Youth Volunteer Corps (YVC)

Date: October 4-5, 2017
Location: Executive Airport Plaza Hotel, Richmond, BC
Fees: $200 for /2 day event

Registration fees include: All sessions, breakfast, lunch, coffee & refreshments.

For more info: Event Details

Deadline: June 20, 2017
Apply: http://codefor.ca/fellowship/apply/

What is the fellowship?

The Code for Canada Fellowship supports digital professionals for ten month placements with hosting government teams. We match developers, designers, and product managers with government teams to rapidly deploy technology that is easy to use, grounded in user research, and refined through iterative prototyping.

What do the fellows do?

Over the course of the project, fellows immerse themselves in the project, researching user needs, meeting with stakeholders, proposing solutions, and collaborating with the government to build technology using an iterative approach, centered around the needs of users.

• For the pilot cohort beginning in 2017, one team of fellows will be based in Toronto working with Ontario’s Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development (MAESD).
• Fellows spend four days a week inside government, and one day working offsite.
• Fellowship teams will work closely with project owners inside the hosting ministry, as well as project champions in the Ontario Digital Service.
• Fellows will have the ongoing support of Code for Canada staff, and their work will be featured in regular open houses and showcases.

Why become a fellow?

Being a Code for Canada fellow is a big job–and highly rewarding. Here’s what a successful applicant will look forward to:

• Work that matters: Use your skills to make a significant impact on people’s lives. We work closely with our government partners to identify projects that will enable you to make your mark.
• Connections and leadership: As part of Code for Canada’s pilot cohort, you will be at the leading edge of learning and showing what’s possible. You’ll make connections with leaders in the civic tech sector in Canada, and will play a part in shaping the Code for Canada Fellowship program into the future.
• Professional development: You will develop lasting relationships and learn new skills in a creative and fast-paced atmosphere.
• Exercise creativity: Working in small teams with your government partners, you will decide what you build and how you build it based on user research.
• A labour of love: You’ll accomplish a lot while working with other passionate people.

Who are we looking for?

We’re looking for people who are:

• Highly collaborative: You are able to actively work with their teammates as a partner, motivator and teacher. You openly and directly provide and ask for feedback, and you want to work with their governments as partners.
• Comfortable wearing many hats: In small teams, it’s vital to the success of team that teammates are able to jump in and out of roles and tasks to push their product forward. You are a scrappy, resourceful and creative problem solver.
• Adaptable: There is no real “typical day” as a Fellow. While teams will define some sprint plans and decision making processes, things can change on the fly. The Fellowship requires occasional evening or weekend work, and may include travel.
• Able to work independently:  You are self-motivated and know to ask for help when you need it.
• Skilled communicators: Our fellows are highly skilled at communicating about their work to non-experts, with empathy and clarity.

Fellowship teams are composed of three people, with primary skills in web development, user experience design, and product management. Additional experience in GIS, data science, community organizing, non-profit, government, and policy work is highly desired. Experience in government is not expected or required.

We recognize that many applicants have multidisciplinary skillsets. We ask that applicants identify their strongest skillset when applying; we’ll provide opportunities to showcase additional experience throughout the application processes. Here are some of the core competencies we’ve identified for each primary skillset.

The Spring Showcase celebrates Spring’s impact-driven community of entrepreneurs and the startups they’ve built. This is an interactive event where we open our doors to showcase the startups through storytelling, demo tables, food, drinks, and more! Come out and mingle with our alumni and hear what they have to say about their purposeful businesses!

Spring Showcase #2: Startup Stories & Demos

When: Wednesday, June 7th from 6-9PM

Where: CodeCore Bootcamp – 142 W Hastings

Cost: Free with registration

Registration link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-spring-showcase-2-startup-stories-demos-tickets-34262055731

The Spring Showcase is an excellent opportunity for:

• Aspiring entrepreneurs to network and learn more about how Spring can help you
• People with a wide range of skills to find a company you’re passionate to work with
  Investors to find a new rising star to invest in
• Entrepreneurs to meet each other and share best practices and learnings over their journey of starting a business
• Entrepreneurs looking to meet Spring partners who can help you grow your business

Free Geek is a nonprofit community organization located in East Van that reduces the environmental impact of waste electronics by reusing and recycling donated technology. Through community engagement we provide education, job skills training, Internet access and free or low cost computers to the public. We’ve got electronics at the same price as Craigslist, but with a warranty. http://freegeekvancouver.org

Free Geek Vancouver is a unique feature of the trendy East Van landscape. Growing over time to fit the needs of a mixed urban center, Free Geek has developed a strong relationship with the community and groups within it. While Vancouver strives towards a vision of a greener tomorrow, our recycling centers only break down electronics into components.

Free Geek Vancouver is different in that we refurbish computers and electronics in order to provide them at no cost to non-profits, schools, community groups, and our volunteers. We  provide high quality, low cost computers and electronics to members of the public in our thrift store at 1820 Pandora St, Vancouver. We also differ in that all of our broken-down materials end up being recycled ethically and as locally as possible so it doesn’t get shipped to a country with lower health and safety standards.

We are a safe, inclusive, and friendly space for volunteers to learn about computer hardware, to gain valuable experience, and to acquire references. We use the stuff you don’t want, to support others in a sustainable way.