SIRCH Community Services is a small, dynamic, community-based non-profit organization located in the Haliburton Highlands. SIRCH was awarded “Not for Profit of the Year” in 2012 by the Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce. It is widely recognized for creative programs and innovative solutions. SIRCH works to make a difference in the health and livelihood of community members and, in so doing, to advocate for wider social change. In addition to developing and delivering responsive services, SIRCH has often served as an incubator for programs which, once established, may be taken on by another organization.

Your Opportunity to Make a Difference

If you are passionate about alleviating/reducing poverty and building the resilience/capacity of vulnerable families, this job may be for you. As a manager overseeing programs focused on helping vulnerable expectant women, children “at risk” and their families, and others living in poverty, you will inspire and guide 1 – 6 staff and up to 30 volunteers, while keeping your hand on the pulse by facilitating a group or otherwise having direct contact with clients. Reporting to the Executive Director, you will provide community leadership and engagement, and manage all aspects of the following SIRCH programs:
• Community Action Program for Children (CAPC)
• Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP)
• Food security programs
• School’s Cool in Haliburton County
• Other poverty reduction/skills enhancement programs as delegated.

This is a part time position, negotiable at 3 – 4 days a week.

Candidate Qualities

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following values, skills and qualities:

Values

The successful candidate will be a highly principled, fair, optimistic, open-minded, adaptable, supportive and respectful individual, and will possess an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable families. He or she will be decisive and yet inclusive, and will demonstrate a willingness to listen to other voices.

Leadership

An inspirational and articulate leader, the successful candidate will be politically astute and possess exceptional interpersonal and communication abilities. He or she will be able to effectively serve as a compelling ambassador for SIRCH and the families that SIRCH serves. A keen problem-solver, the successful candidate will excel at achieving consensus among differing opinions. He or she is confident, encourages creativity, innovation and collaboration, and is capable of forging long-lasting and collaborative relationships and partnerships.

The successful candidate will be able to balance learning about and valuing SIRCH’s history and past successes with a vision and commitment to the future. He or she will ensure high-quality service to the community while constantly seeking out and seizing new opportunities.

Career Experience and Education

As a respected and connected leader, the candidate will have the following professional experience:
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience (staff and volunteers) in a frontline community agency;
• Experience dealing with issues faced by vulnerable families (low income, food security, literacy etc);
• Experience developing and measuring community-based programs and services;
• Demonstrated experience building cross-sectoral partnerships and working within networks and with partner organizations to build a healthier, more inclusive community;
• Relevant undergraduate or graduate degree in a related field.

Interested and qualified candidates can submit their expression of interest and resume in confidence to Gena Robertson, Executive Director, online at gena_robertson@sirch.on.ca or by mail to SIRCH Community Services, Box 687, Haliburton ON K0M 1S0. We encourage candidates to respond before May 11, 2012.

We sincerely thank all candidates for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be notified.

Haliburton Echo January 31, 2012

Minden Times Frebruay 1, 2012

Click on the above to view this Press Release – November 3, 2011

• Volunteering Keeping Us Young  - March 2012
• Optimistic Light - February 2012
• We Need Your Ideas  - January 2012
• December 2011
• Believe - November 2011
• It takes a village… - October 2011
• Where Method and Mission become One - September 2011
• Community responsibility – changing the lives of others – August 2011
• Is Haliburton Canada’s Lead Volunteer Community? – July 20

After securing a site in Haliburton Village, donations of materials, equipment, labour and supplies flooded in. Dentists, dental assistants and hygienists, some with businesses in Haliburton County and some from outside the county, have volunteered their time to the Dental Outreach.  Dental care will be provided at least two days a week, year-round.

For more information on the Volunteer Dental Outreach, or to help, contact 705-457-1742

Funded by donations and Kawartha Lakes-Haliburton Social Services

Below the video, there is a pdf of the over 60 responses received. So…even more good advice!

Coordinator Responses

Please post a comment or suggestion – about the video, or your own story about what has worked for you in reducing stress and avoiding burnout. Was this information helpful? Are there other topics you’d like to see in a training video?

Watch for additional videos coming soon:

• 10 Lessons Frontline Staff Want You to Know
• Creative Fundraising on a Budget

The video is only 17 minutes long – great for a “lunch and learn.” Just click on the button.

Below the video, there is a pdf chart which will be discussed in the video. Print it out and have it handy when you’re listening.

What Are You Experiencing Chart

Please post a comment or suggestion – about the video, or your own story about what has worked for you in reducing stress and avoiding burnout. Was this information helpful? Are there other topics you’d like to see in a training video?

Watch for additional videos coming soon:

• 10 Lessons Coordinators Want You to Know
• 10 Lessons Frontline Staff Want You to Know
• Creative Fundraising on a Budget
• Reaching and Engaging the Hard to Reach

Below the video, there are two downloadable pdf resources which will add to your video experience.

Advice from CAPC & CPNP Coordinators
We chose 7 seasoned coordinators from across Canada to help us with suggestions about how to reach and engage vulnerable families. Since we couldn’t put them all in the video, we’ve included their thoughts and ideas in full in this pdf.

Follow Along – the Video Outline
This includes the outline of the 3 groups of hard to reach; the 8 challenges; and 18 suggested techniques to reach and engage vulnerable families, which are all covered in more detail in the video.

Please post a comment or suggestion – about the video, or your own success story about what has worked for you in reaching and engaging hard to reach families. Was this information helpful? Are there other topics you’d like to see in a training video?

Watch for additional videos coming soon on:

• Avoiding Crash and Burn
• 10 Lessons Coordinators Want You to Know
• 10 Lessons Frontline Staff Want You to Know
• Creative Fundraising on a Budget

Please let us know if there are other topics you’d like us to cover.