Welcome

Session 1: Reflection and Future

We are pleased to introduce Wendy Mason, our new CEO, who will share her insights and discuss the strategic work we’ve completed to set ourselves up for continued success.  Nick and Julia Burton Taylor will join the conversation to reflect on the past, present and future for CEF.

Committee Showcase

In this interactive session, we’ll hear from three committees that have successfully implemented innovative initiatives in their regions. These presentations will highlight the lessons learned and provide opportunities for Q&A.

CEF:  Boot Bash
CEF Orange and District: The Buddy System
CEF Grenfell: Power of Alumni

Session 2: Community Sustainability

Ensuring good governance is critical to our impact. In an ever changing environment, this session will outline key requirements for ongoing sustainability and compliance.

Succession Planning for Success

A healthy, diverse committee is essential for long-term sustainability. This session will combine a presentation with brainstorming to explore strategies for recruitment and onboarding new members. Special guests from CEF Great Lakes will share their successful succession plan.

Keynote Speaker: Grace Brennan – Founder #buyfromthebush

Grace Brennan will share her story of advocating for rural and regional communities through creative engagement and passion. Her work has brought attention to the challenges and strengths of bush communities.

Come prepared with your questions for a Q&A session.

Session 3: Pillars of Support

 Hand to the Land Initiatives

We are excited to announce a new training opportunity for volunteers, empowering them to support students facing mental health challenges. Additionally, we’ll introduce a new scholarship focused on mental health, the Jessica Walker Memorial Scholarship, made possible by the fundraising efforts of Hand to the Land.

Student Support Program

Take a tour of our newly developed Student Support Program page, a one-stop-shop for both CEF committees and students. This online resource is designed to streamline and improve student access to support services.

Welcome to CEF Learning

This session will introduce CEF’s new online learning platform, which offers volunteer induction and learning modules to strengthen your understanding of CEF’s work.

The Need and the Desire Workshop

How do we balance student needs with their educational aspirations and desires? In this co-design process, we’ll work together to shape how we approach student selection and scholarship allocation, ensuring we meet both immediate needs and long-term goals.

Session 4: The Art of the Ask

We’re thrilled to have Dan Greaves with us to close out the day. Dan will provide fresh perspectives on fundraising and offer practical tools to help you craft compelling stories that inspire others to take action. His expertise will help you reframe your approach to fundraising and build stronger connections with potential donors.