Purpose of The "REACH"
The "REACH" is a cluster of services and activities that provide support to non-profit community social sector agencies in the Columbia Basin in order for those agencies to function more effectively. Support is provided through access to local training opportunities, professional development for staff and board members, consultation services and resources delivered in a variety of ways. Services are available to any non-profit social sector agency in the Columbia Basin. Co-op member agencies receive services at a discounted rate.
Needs Assessment Underway
In order to plan training, professional development and determine consulting priorities for non profits in the Columbia Basin, Co-op staff have embarked on a needs assessment. We will be contacting by telephone about 20 Executive Directors of community social service non profits during the month of January. This information is important to help us plan activities for 2011.
Training Subsidy Program Information
As a means of building the capacity of the community social services sector in the Columbia Basin, the Co-op has launched a Training Support Program. Partnership in this Program provides an organization with an account at the KBCS Co-op of $500. This sum of $500 is available to the agency to utilize in ways that best support access to eligible training opportunities in the Columbia Basin region. The Program begins September 1st, 2010 and completes the pilot phase on June 30, 2011. To be considered eligible to receive this subsidy, an organization must meet the following criteria:
- Must be a community social service organization serving vulnerable populations in the Basin
- Must be a non-governmental agency
- Must be a registered charity (or in the process of becoming a registered charity)
- Must have a service area within the Columbia Basin, and
- Must be governed by a voluntary Board of Directors and have a clearly defined mission statement.
In order to apply the training subsidy to training costs, the training events must be either KBCS Co-op hosted or KBCS Co-op partnered events and must happen within the geography of the Columbia Basin. Examples of Co-op partnered events are those that take place in conjunction with Selkirk College or College of the Rockies. A list of approved events is available on the Training Calendar on the Events tab.
Once a year, the agency representative will submit a one-page report on how the funds were used including information on the numbers of staff trained and the events they attended. Upon receipt of this one page report, organizations will be reimbursed by the Co-op for the funds (up to $500) that have been used for training. Reimbursement will happen annually in July.
You can contact us to request the Training Subsidy Application form or click here to access the Training Subsidy Application form in fillable PDF. Just save it then email to info@thekoop.ca.
Here are some examples of the training available:
- Fundraising
- Grant Writing
- Risk Management
- Volunteer Management
- Running Effective Meetings
- Charity Responsibilities
- Non-Profit Leadership Skills
- Board Recruitment and Retention
Consulting services we offer:
- Strategic Planning
- Organizational Development
- Team Building
- Building Better Boards
Check the Events page often for the Co-op Calendar of Events and REACH opportunities. For more information about REACH services, please contact the Co-op office at at 250 352-6786.
