In a Conversation Circle
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Introductions
What CCSYR is all about
Getting to know you
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Learning Objectives
What is Conversation Circle?
Expectations of your volunteer role
Impact of your role
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Defining knowledge, skills, attitudes for
being a Volunteer
Role play
Discussion (Questions)
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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
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Governed by a volunteer Board of Directors
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Inclusive, multicultural organization embracing
many faiths and languages
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We envision that Catholic Community
Services of York Region will be recognized as
the leading community-based agency in York
Region
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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
ACCOUNTABILITY
COLLABORATION
NEW IMMIGRANTS
COMMUNITY
SETTLEMENT
Counseling
SERVICES
Services
JOB SEARCH
Focus on
WORKSHOPS
Fathers
SEPYR
Parenting
Groups
LSP
Support
Groups
IN Program
“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
MOTIVATING
INSPIRING
CHALLENGING
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Have time to commit to the conversation
sessions
Be open and approachable
Be able to encourage independence in the
participants
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Creates a culture of acceptance and inclusion
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Reinforces cultural norms and values
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Allows new comers to have a smother
transition into Canadian society
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To create networking/ information supports among the
mentees
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To assist and direct professionals obtain valuable volunteer
experience, that will create opportunities for pathways
towards meeting requirements or their educational/ career
development needs
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To help mentees identify alternative choices in the areas of
their expertise or study to compliment or broaden their current
set of skills
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To create connections for future relevant work based
references
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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
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KNOWLEDGE
SKILLS
ATTITUDE
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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)
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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
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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
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How do we handle such situations?
Quiet person?
Talkative person?
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Share three things you learned from this
training.
Any questions ?????