Conference on Connecticut Volunteerism

The Connecticut Collaborative for Volunteerism (CCV) held a conference today at Quinnipiac University, in Hamden, CT. The topic of the conference was about empowering volunteers to help the world with humanitarian causes. Representatives from non-profit and for-profit humanitarian organizations and business consultants attended the conference. Fundraising companies were also represented to educate non-profit organizations to obtain fund-raising activities. Over 300 individuals attended or gave workshops, and over 210 companies were represented.

There were approximately 43 workshops and presentations covering topics such as management and support of volunteers, insurance covering volunteer activities, obtaining funding, team development and coaching skills for leaders.

Rev. Dr. Robert Evans was the keynote and endnote speaker, as well as a workshop facilitator and moderator for the Round Table Discussions. Dr. Evans is a senior fellow at the Centre for Conflict Resolution in Cape Town, South Africa. He has been a personal host to Desmond Tutu, here in Connecticut, when Tutu visited. Rev. Evans and his wife, Alice, founded the Plowshares Institute in 1981. For over 30 years, Rev. Evans has taught conflict resolution and peace-building techniques to civic, government, academic and religious leaders in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the US. He has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and has written books and articles on mediation and conflict resolution.

For information on the Connecticut Collaborative for Volunteerism,

http://www.ccvinfo.org/

For information on Plowshares Institute,

http://www.plowsharesinstitute.org/default.htm