In a Conversation Circle

 Introductions What CCSYR is all about Getting to know you  Learning Objectives What is Conversation Circle? Expectations of your volunteer role Impact of your role  Defining knowledge, skills, attitudes for being a Volunteer  Role play  Discussion (Questions)

 CCSYR is a not for profit, social service agency working since 1980; delivering a comprehensive array of services to address the social needs of the rapidly expanding communities of York Region  Governed by a volunteer Board of Directors  Inclusive, multicultural organization embracing many faiths and languages

 We envision that Catholic Community Services of York Region will be recognized as the leading community-based agency in York Region

 To serve, within the Catholic social justice tradition, the diverse needs of individuals, families and communities, by providing a broad array of programs and services to help them to reach their potential

RESPECT COMPASSION ACCOUNTABILIT YCOLLABORATION

NEW IMMIGRANTS SETTLEMENT SERVICES JOB SEARCH WORKSHOPS SEPYR LSPIN Program COMMUNITY Support Groups Focus on Fathers Parenting Groups Counseling Services

CHALLENGING INSPIRING MOTIVATING “fa·cil·i·ta·tion/fəˌsiliˈtāSHən/ Noun: The action of facilitating something. To asssist in making a process easier. The enhancement of the response of a neuron to a stimulus following prior stimulation.  Your relationship with the participant is a two way process that is –  Motivating  Inspiring  Challenging  Your role is powerful for personal development and an empowerment tool for the participant

 Have time to commit to the conversation sessions  Be open and approachable  Be able to encourage independence in the participants

 Creates a culture of acceptance and inclusion  Reinforces cultural norms and values  Allows new comers to have a smother transition into Canadian society

 To create networking/ information supports among the mentees  To assist and direct professionals obtain valuable volunteer experience, that will create opportunities for pathways towards meeting requirements or their educational/ career development needs  To help mentees identify alternative choices in the areas of their expertise or study to compliment or broaden their current set of skills  To create connections for future relevant work based references  To become a future mentor to other professionals

1.As this is an ongoing program assisting newcomers through the process of integration and adaptation, both mentors and mentees can remain with the program as long as they both feel there is clear need and benefit 2.This program does not commit or imply that there will be an opportunity for the professional to find employment, rather this program is based on the bringing individuals together for support and learning 3.The Mentor agrees to be honest and provide constructive feedback to the Mentee. The Mentee agrees to be open to the feedback

 KNOWLEDGE  SKILLS  ATTITUDE

 Use English as much as possible, learn to appreciate and understand accents – as many LINC and ESL teachers have accents too!  enforce basic ground rules so everyone has a chance to speak  To know what to talk about, and how to relate it to the topic when the group won’t follow the suggested topic  Know how to talk to newcomers with very little English abilities(partner and use volunteers with second language skills as a bridge)

 Have good/great listening skills  Have good/ great communication skills – pronunciation  Have good/great reading skills  Maintain patience  Not to be judgmental  Include all members of the group in the conversation

 Have mutual respect for all within the group (newcomers, your fellow volunteers and staff)  Have a positive attitude  Be intuitive – pick up on comfort levels of our participants  Have leadership skills  Be a good listener  Be sensitive  Be patient  Be kind  Have fun!

ENSURE FULL PARTICIPATION  How do we handle such situations?  Quiet person?  Talkative person?

 Share three things you learned from this training.  Any questions ?????