Advancement Hosts Virtual Conference for Ontario Colleges

Posted on Monday, August 23rd, 2021

On August 19, the Advancement Division welcomed representatives from six Ontario colleges to a virtual one-day conference entitled “The Ship and The Canoe: Navigating Advancement Through a Pandemic.”

During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, Advancement teams needed to adjust how they engaged alumni and donors, and managed communications. Advancement offices are guided by internal college policies and directives outlined by Canada Revenue Agency (i.e. The Ship) when securing alumni and donor support. At the same time, Advancement officers need to be responsive to the changing needs of communities and industries, and the interests of donors (i.e. The Canoe).

Navigating The Ship and The Canoe has been put to the ultimate test during the pandemic. The conference focused on the importance of Advancement staff working in new ways to support student needs and academic priorities. “Algonquin College was proud to host fundraising, alumni and advancement services professionals from across the province. Presenters shared key learnings and best practices. They facilitated meaningful conversations with their peers,” says Mark Savenkoff, Vice President, Advancement.

The conference addressed the need to work together in a mindful way through the spirit of Indigenization and respond to calls to action outlined in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Final Report. The event also focused on how teams in a community college environment can work with one another to maximize value and effectiveness. Content was based on key findings of the publication CASE-CCAE Support of Education Survey: Canada Insight on Charitable Giving to Canadian Education (2019). A grant was received from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Venture Capital Fund to host the conference.

Conference presenters included: Joanne Souaid, Associate Director, Advancement Services; Ian Lewer, Director, Philanthropy; Barry Seller, Manager, Alumni Engagement; and Mark Savenkoff, Vice President, Advancement. Ron McLester, Vice President, Truth, Reconciliation and Indigenization, provided an opening address and Andre O’Bonsawin, Director of Indigenous Initiatives, closed the conference.


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