Event Schedule

See the event schedule below, or download a copy to print

7:30 am - 8:30 am

Registration, Breakast and Sponsor Showcase

8:30 am - 8:40 am Main Hall

Welcome

Randy Tonn, Vice President of Mission Effectiveness, Shepherd’s Care Foundation

8:40 am - 9:00 am Main Hall

Doing Good

Rachel From, Manager of Development and Communications, Calgary Dream Centre

9:05 am - 10:00 am A1

Session A1: A Guide to Nonprofit Video Storytelling

David Ovelson, Film Producer, Anthem Creative

9:05 am - 10:00 am A2 (Room 1039)

Session A2: Tips on utilizing Artificial Intelligence for Fundraising

Randy Klassen, Associate Consultant, Global Philanthropic Inc. (Canada)

9:05 am - 10:00 am A3

Session A3: Social Media – How to build your donor relationships

Isabella Richards, Development Assistant, Loaves & Fishes Community Food Bank

9:05 am - 10:00 am A4

Session A4: Six Keys to Building a Highly Effective Board: What Every Nonprofit Leader Needs to Know

Dwayne Cline, President, Cline Consulting

9:05 am - 10:00 am A5

Session A5: The ultimate guide for Peer-to-Peer Fundraising

Shellie Wolverton, Director of Campaign Success, Blue Sea Foundation

10:00 am - 10:20 am Main Hall

Coffee and Networking Break

10:20 am - 11:15 am B1

Session B1: A Guide to Nonprofit Video Storytelling

David Ovelson, Film Producer, Anthem Creative

10:20 am - 11:15 am B2

Session B2: Tips on utilizing Artificial Intelligence for Fundraising

Randy Klassen, Associate Consultant, Global Philanthropic Inc. (Canada)

10:20 am - 11:15 am B3

Session B3: Social Media – How to build your donor relationships

Isabella Richards, Development Assistant, Loaves & Fishes Community Food Bank

10:20 am - 11:15 am B4

Session B4: Six Keys to Building a Highly Effective Board: What Every Nonprofit Leader Needs to Know

Dwayne Cline, President, Cline Consulting

10:20 am - 11:15 am B5

Session B5: The ultimate guide for Peer-to-Peer Fundraising

Shellie Wolverton, Director of Campaign Success, Blue Sea Foundation

11:20 am - 12:00 pm Main Hall

Strategies for fostering a vibrant corporate culture on your Team

Darryl Anderson, Executive Director, Mercy Ships Canada

12:00 pm - 12:45 pm Main Hall

Networking Lunch and Sponsor Showcase

12:45 pm - 1:40 pm C1

Session C1: What Your Event Strategy Says About Your Stewardship Strategy

Rachel From, Manager of Development and Communications, Calgary Dream Centre

12:45 pm - 1:40 pm C2

Session C2: Choosing and Utilizing the right Technology Tools to have your Organization Thrive

Sam Kirk, Sr. Director of Client & Partner Engagement, Quartermaster

12:45 pm - 1:40 pm C3

Session C3: Newsletters: Engaging Donors and Driving Results

Elizabeth Banman, Director of Donor Engagement, The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda

12:45 pm - 1:40 pm C4

Session C4: 5 Signs that it is Time to refresh your Website

Colten Nahrebeski, President, Clickex

12:45 pm - 1:40 pm C5

Session C5: Tips and Tricks for Small Shop Fundraising

Adrienne Nolan, Senior Consultant, Global Philanthropic

1:45 pm - 2:40 pm D1

Session D1: What Your Event Strategy Says About Your Stewardship Strategy

Rachel From, Manager of Development and Communications, Calgary Dream Centre

1:45 pm - 2:40 pm D2

Session D2: Choosing and utilizing the right Technology Tools to have your Organization Thrive

Sam Kirk, Sr. Director of Client & Partner Engagement, Quartermaster

1:45 pm - 2:40 pm D3

Session D3: Newsletters: Engaging Donors and Driving Results

Elizabeth Banman, Director of Donor Engagement, The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda

1:45 pm - 2:40 pm D4

Session D4: 5 Signs that it is Time to refresh your Website

Colten Nahrebeski, President, Clickex

1:45 pm - 2:40 pm D5

Session D5: Tips and Tricks for Small Shop Fundraising

Adrienne Nolan, Senior Consultant, Global Philanthropic

2:40 pm - 3:00 pm Main Hall

Coffee and Networking Break

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm E1

Session E1: The Power of Moments: Maximizing Donor Giving & Generosity During Faith-Based Holidays

Matt Hussey, Lead Strategist and Founder, Generosity X & Daniel Hussey, Managing Partner, Hussey Philanthropic Consulting Inc.

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm E2

Session E2: Business Essentials in Launching a Social Enterprise

Michael Ferber, Dean, Leder School of Business at The King's University

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm E3

Session E3: Direct Mail: Basic but Important Considerations for Fundraising Success

Dan Matthys, Principal, MIRCA direct

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm E4

Session E4: Shared Sense of Purpose – The secret sauce of success to your Charity's Business Relationships

John Veldkamp, CEO, Christian Credit Union

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Main Hall

Session E5: 12 Creative Ways to Communicate your 2025 Impact

Stephane Hache, Director, Development & Community Relations, Catholic Social Services Alberta

4:00 pm - Main Hall

Dinner & Evening

On your Own. Spend time with colleagues, friends both new and familiar! Or, join with colleagues on one of the organized activities: 1. Dinner and River Valley Hike. 2. BBQ, interaction with leadership, and tour of a Recovery Centre 3. Dinner, interaction with leadership, and tour of a Senior’s Care Centre

7:30 am - 8:20 am

Registration, Breakast and Sponsor Showcase

8:20 am - 8:30 am Main Hall

Welcome

Randy Tonn, Vice President of Mission Effectiveness, Shepherd’s Care Foundation

8:30 am - 9:30 am Main Hall

Panel Discussion: Do you view Fundraising as a Business, or an Emotional Exercise, or a Faith-Guided Journey, or just a Sales Job?

Juli Holland, Engagement Lead, Adeara Recovery Centre; Joshua Marshall, CEO, Jirah Growth Partners; Quentin Fincaryk, Chief Development Officer, Alpha Canada; Shellie Wolverton, Director of Campaign Success, Blue Sea Foundation

9:30 am - 10:25 am F1

Session F1: Stop Being a “Best Kept Secret”: 5 Keys to Building Brand Awareness

Ellen Graf-Martin, President, Graf Martin Communications

9:30 am - 10:25 am F2

Session F2: Is your Charity set-up for Innovative Giving Channels (Donor Advised Funds, Charitable Gift Annuities, and Life Insurance Policies)?

Lysa Van Herk, Wealth Advisor, Aviso Wealth and Christian Credit Union

9:30 am - 10:25 am F3

Session F3: Planning and Implementing a Capital Campaign (Part 1)

Steve Gutknecht, Development Director, Vernon Christian School; Joshua Marshall, Principal, Jirah Growth Partners

9:30 am - 10:25 am F4

Session F4: Building and Growing Community Partnerships with corporate donors.

Abby Sauchuk, Director of Development, Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank

9:30 am - 10:25 am F5

Session F5: Digital Fundraising: Take it Up a Notch

Elio Rea, Digital Fundraising Manager, The Salvation Army in Canada

10:25 am - 10:45 am Main Hall

Coffee and Networking Break

10:45 am - 11:40 am G1

Session G1: Stop Being a “Best Kept Secret”: 5 Keys to Building Brand Awareness

Ellen Graf-Martin, President, Graf Martin Communications

10:45 am - 11:40 am G2

Session G2: Is your Charity set-up for Innovative Giving Channels (Donor Advised Funds, Charitable Gift Annuities, and Life Insurance Policies)?

Lysa Van Herk, Wealth Advisor, Aviso Wealth and Christian Credit Union

10:45 am - 11:40 am G3

Session G3: Planning and Implementing a Capital Campaign (Part 2)

Steve Gutknecht, Development Director, Vernon Christian School; Joshua Marshall, Principal, Jirah Growth Partners

10:45 am - 11:40 am G4

Session G4: Building and Growing Community Partnerships with corporate donors

Abby Sauchuk, Director of Development, Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank

10:45 am - 11:40 am G5

Session G5: Digital Fundraising: Take it Up a Notch

Elio Rea, Digital Fundraising Manager, The Salvation Army in Canada

11:40 am - 12:40 pm Main Hall

Networking Lunch and Sponsor Showcase

12:40 pm - 1:35 pm Main Hall

Conference around a Table (Organized Table Networking Sessions)

1:40 pm - 2:40 pm H1

Session H1: Key Elements in successful International Relief fundraising

Laura Solberg, Executive Director, Kentro Christian Network

1:40 pm - 2:40 pm H2

Session H2: What can a Legacy Giving Program look like in your organization?

Lorne Jackson, President, Advisors with Purpose

1:40 pm - 2:40 pm H3

Session H3: Executive Panel: Challenges and Successes in the C-Suite

(Moderated by Dwayne Cline, President, Cline Consulting). Violet Hayes, Executive Director, Island Crisis Care Society; Darryl Anderson, Executive Director, Mercy Ships Canada; John Veldkamp, CEO, Christian Credit Union Courtney Armstrong, Executive Director, Camp Evergreen

1:40 pm - 2:40 pm H4

Session H4: The 5 questions you must answer for successful social media communication

Rebecca Peters, Director of Communications & Resource Development, Pregnancy Care Canada

1:40 pm - 2:40 pm H5

Session H5: The Power of Moments: Maximizing Donor Giving & Generosity During Faith-Based Holidays

Matt Hussey, Lead Strategist and Founder, Generosity X

3:00 pm - 3:40 pm Main Hall

Do you Chase Donors, or Attract them?

Quentin Fincaryk, Chief Development Officer, Alpha Canada

3:40 pm - 4:00 pm Main Hall

Closing Remarks

Randy Tonn, Vice President of Mission Effectiveness, Shepherd’s Care Foundation

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