The not-for-profit sector has been deeply impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We have heard from hundreds of leaders in the sector and understand the complexity of decision-making you are all having to make. As a response, Vantage Point is embracing our roots by providing a volunteer matching program for the first time in decades. While GoVolunteer.ca continues to be a beneficial tool for members to find volunteers, we want to extend extra, more direct supports for not-for-profit leaders. These supports will help leaders to find skilled experts who can provide practical information and advice. 

We are pleased to announce our COVID-19 Response Program, a new short-term initiative which will match you with skilled volunteers in four areas we know not-for-profit leaders require (see the results of the province-wide survey here).

Currently, the skilled volunteers in COVID-19 Response Program can provide the following support:

Information Navigators - 1:1 virtual guidance with navigating government support for not-for-profit organizations including provincially - and federally announced financial resources. Information Navigators can provide clarification about each resources and guide you to official government content (ex. application portals, news releases, publications) and other credible sources for your organization to consider. Information Navigators cannot provide and legal or professional advice, but they can equip you with the necessary information for your organization to make informed decisions.

Governance Advisor - During these unprecedented times many not-for-profits and their boards are struggling with difficult questions and decisions about the future of their organization. With the prvailing uncertainties, the board must provide steady and adaptive leadership to support their management team. Our Governance Advisors will offer 1:1 virtual dialogue to answer your questions, offer tips, and direct you to useful resources. They will be able to offer ideas to strengthen collaboration between not-for-profit staff members and their boards. They will suggest strategies to equip the board with the information they require to do things like assess risks, formulate a plan, and be innovative in times when established roles and responsibilities have been challenged.

Fundraising Advisor - Many not-for-profits are concerned about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on fundraising. Many are looking for advice from fundraising experts to help weather this crisis. Our Fundraising Advisors will offer 1:1 virtual support to answer your questions and offer resources and ideas to restructure a fundraising calendar, create a new fundraising plan, or suggest ways to conduct major gifts fundraising without face-to-face interaction.

Financial Management Advisor - During COVID-19, not-for-porofits have experienced a complex shift int heir financial management needs. With the prevailing uncertainties, organizations are required to understand how they can reduce financial risk during this time. They must also understand how to position themselves to take on new opportunities to stabilize after the crisis has passed. Our Financial Management coaches will offer 1:1 virtual dialogue to answer your questions, offer resources and ideas on a wide variety of financial management strategies, and will discuss innovative ways to implement those strategies effectively.

Please complete this registration form so we can contact you to further assess which skilled volunteer(s) on the COVID-19 Response Program can be matched to your organization based on your needs. We will reach out should a compatible match exist for your organization.

Keeping our workplaces and communities safe...

On the heels of our recent bulletin regarding COVID-19, we want to provide a more in-depth resource guide for BC not-for-profits. For context, we were fortunate to have an online discussion in one of our working groups, “Decent Work in the Sector”, where we talked about the many ways in which this virus affects us in the workplace, specifically in not-for-profits – especially with anxieties looming around reliable funding.

We really appreciated being able to convene and connect over video chat, and just share concerns and strategize together on how to mitigate those concerns. To be honest, it was therapeutic. This is what it’s all about: when collective tension is high, the best thing we can do is be there for each other.

Now back to the resource list! Below you will find lots of reliable information on how to manage health emergencies in a working environment. These are great sources to become familiar with and share among your network.

Workplace Advice for Employers: Considerations & contingency planning

Government of Canada
Find guidance on work arrangement and sick leave recommendations, as well as general workplace hygiene practices.

WHO’s Getting Your Workplace Ready for COVID-19
A brief, concise, and very informative document on how to manage health risks in the workplace. It also includes an ice breaker for group activities!

CPHR BC & Yukon
CPHR BC & Yukon has a great guideline for how to organize a contingency plan.

Board Source: What Nonprofit Board Members Should Be Doing Right Now to Address the COVID-19 Situation
A very thorough, thoughtful blog on what your board can do to mitigate the challenges this virus poses for not-for-profits.

Webinar 101: A webinar
Vantage Point's Guide to Webinars.

Heritage BC: "A Compendium of Tips and Information for Governance, Management and NFP Operations" 
A true compendium, this resource by Heritage BC is extremely well thought out and has plenty of suggestions for boards and not-for-profit leaders to choose from.

PM-V: Project Management Volunteers
A grassroots, volunteer organization which leads project teams and growing project management awareness and skills. "PMV is ramping up a special drive to offer our services, not only to nonprofits, but also to organizations involved in dealing with the COVID-19 crisis response and consequences."

Other Good-to-Know Information

BC Centre for Disease Control
General information and FAQs.

WHO’s Myth Busters
Quick info bursts debunking misconceptions about COVID-19.

Vancouver Coastal Health
Risk, prevention, symptoms, and travel, as well as local Vancouver updates.

Canadian Mental Health Association
CMHA has been regularly updating their resources and information on the mental-health aspects of this crisis. This is especially important as we all face similar yet individualized challenges due to recent events.

Heritage BC: "A Compendium of Tips and Information for Self-Care and Workplace Mental Health"
Another great resource from Heritage BC, this time adding to the conversation around mental health and managing self-care while working.

VCH: Need to Know
Information from Vancouver Coastal Health on the status of services, events, updates, and what you can do.

Updates: Employment Insurance Benefits and Other Measures

Prime Minister’s Office: News Release March
The latest outline of Canada’s response as of this bulletin is from March 18, 2020. “No Canadian should have to worry about paying their rent or buying groceries during this difficult time. That is why we are taking the strong action needed to stabilize our economy and help those impacted by the COVID-19 virus. Together, we will get through this difficult time." - Justin Trudeau.

Imagine Canada
Essential information for keeping your not-for-profit on track during the Coronavirus.

Imagine Canada's Newsletter
This newsletter breaks down how the federal government intends to support not-for-profits and vulnerable people throughout the crisis. Or, go directly to Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan.

Resources and Responses from Not-for-Profit Organizations

Not-for-Profit Leaders Daily Online Drop-in
In response to COVID-19, our Executive Director, Alison Brewin, will be hosting a drop-in via an online platform called Zoom. These drop-ins will take place Monday to Thursday from 4:00pm - 4:30pm and may involve different themes, but are mainly a way to stay connected and support each other as not-for-profit leaders in these stressful times. Please register weekly at this link to get access to our follow-up notes, or email abrewin@thevantagepoint.ca for access to the discussion without registering.

Ontario Nonprofit Network
ONN’s latest blog includes other great resources, many for cross-country interest, as well as addressing racism and xenophobia.

BC Alliance for Arts + Culture
BCAAC has compiled their own list of resources for not-for-profits in the arts and culture communities in BC. It's extensive and thorough, and a great resource for these groups.

Howe Sound Women's Centre
Squamish and Whistler drop in staff will be providing crisis support, referrals, advocay, etc by phone or video Monday-Thursday from 10am-4pm in Squamish the number is 604-892-5748, in Whistler the number is 604-962-8711.  HSWC's 24 hour crisis line is always available 1-877-890-5711

Pacific Legal Outreach (PLEO) Supports
As of April 8, 2020, PLEO is offering a weekly lunch & learn to provide legal information on a number of different topics relevant to the current situation.

*Do you have an update for this list? Reach out to Rowan King, Marketing & Communications Coordinator, at rking@thevantagepoint.ca.

Be well,

The Vantage Point Team

*This bulletin, originally published March 13, 2020, was last edited on March 18, 2020.

Dear Reader,

As Vantage Point is a space primarily used for convening and group learning, we want to reach out to you amidst the most recent updates on COVID-19. We understand there are a lot of mixed feelings about this outbreak. The bottom line is we want to make sure everyone is - and feels - safe, so we have begun important conversations with our Staff and Board to determine our plans for the coming months.

As of March 16, 2020, a few workshops and labs have been cancelled while others will be offered online through a program called Zoom. Should you be signed up for any of these events you will receive more details about the changes. If you have questions on how to participate in an upcoming program - or if you require cancelling - please reach out to our office at (604) 875-9144 or info@thevantagepoint.ca.

We urge everyone to take calm precautions and do their best to reduce the risk of spreading illness. These are a few easy ways to ensure lower risk of contracting and sharing any virus:

• Wash your hands frequently with warm soapy water for at least 20 seconds after using the washroom, sneezing, coughing, preparing food, and touching public surfaces.
• Avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes.
• Cough and sneeze into the crease of your elbow.
• Do your best to stay home if you are presenting cold or flu-like symptoms and call 8-1-1 if you think you may have COVID-19 or are experiencing an unexplained shortness of breath.

Here is the latest update for BC (as of March 18): https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/coronavirus-update-bc-what-you-need-to-know-march-18-1.5501183.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is probably the most reliable source of information on how to be ready, safe, smart, and kind in the wake of COVID-19.

Finally, on the note of kindness: It has become aware to most of us by now how certain communities are the first to feel negative social impacts from peoples’ preconceived ideas and misunderstandings. One of the most important things we can do for ourselves and each other in staying safe and healthy is to self-educate, share credible sources, and choose empathy and compassion.

Please take time to read how media coverage of this virus affects people with disabilities. It is also important to understand how the fear around this virus has surfaced xenophobic ideas and acts around the country – and how many Asian communities are deeply affected by these harmful misconceptions.

We at Vantage Point wish you and your loved ones health throughout this process, and will be in touch as more information comes up.

Sincerely,

The Vantage Point Team