The secret to encouraging new membership, boosting volunteerism and retention, finding new funding sources and feeling even better about your mission, is the focus of the Outdoor Recreation Council of B.C.’s January webinar. The topic is how to make the outdoors more welcoming to everyone.
Most of us love to share our passion and enthusiasm for recreation, but that does not automatically make the outdoors or your organization a welcoming place for newcomers. That matters because the mission of most organizations is to be inclusive of the entire community, and when you’re not, you’re also missing the opportunity to engage more people as members, volunteers, contributors and funders.
We have pulled together a panel of experts who have first-hand experience making their corner of the outdoors more accessible and welcoming to everyone.
Mike Riediger is the CEO of Kootenay Adaptive Sports Association.
Jennifer Wigglesworth is an assistant professor at the University of Northern British Columbia and an equality in the outdoors researcher
Saša Loggin is the executive director for Skeena Diversity Society, which has held events to introduce people to the outdoors.
Tomke Augustin is a researcher at the Diversity Institute at Toronto metropolitan University and worked on inclusive efforts with the Tri-Cities Off-Road Cycling Association
They will share tried-and-tested strategies for attracting people with disabilities, new Canadians, underrepresented and marginalized groups, and people without the means or background to participate.
The webinar accompanies the release of the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC’s new resource, Outdoors for All: An Inspiration Guide for Creating Welcoming Outdoor Recreation Spaces.
The Outdoor Recreation Council of BC is a non-profit organization. These webinars are free, thanks to the support of our generous donors and sponsors. If you would like to support our work, consider donating or get in touch about sponsorship opportunities.