Testimonials

Funding Partner Through its board of directors, leadership and senior staff development programs, Altruvest is to be commended for its efforts in building capacity within the non-profit sector. Their BoardMatch programs expand the pool of trained professional volunteers, strengthening charitable organizations. CIBC is especially proud of our sponsorship of Altruvest’s 2004 Charity Expo, which promoted volunteerism and exposed corporate executives, community leaders, and the public to the charitable sector, offering them opportunities to get involved. - CIBC

“ We see involvement with BoardMatch Greater Vancouver as a part of the ongoing learning process we encourage at Crystal Decisions. This is a mutually beneficial exchange in which employees improve communication skills and influencing skills while giving back to the community. “ - Matthew Hanford, Vice-President, Human Resources, Crystal Decisions “ “Weyerhaeuser’s participation in BoardMatch Fundamentals gives our employees an opportunity to participate in rewarding volunteer activities that facilitate their personal development. By supporting our employees in this volunteer initiative, Weyerhaeuser is strengthening our commitment to the communities in which they live.” Dave Larsen, Vice-President, Government and Public Affairs, Weyerhaeuser “We see involvement with BoardMatch Fundamentals as a part of the ongoing learning process we encourage at Business Objects. This is a mutually beneficial exchange in which employees improve communication skills and influencing skills while giving back to the community. “ Susan Harmer, Director, Human Resources, Business Objects Volunteer Thunder Bay has been a leader in the development of volunteer participation. It listens to the needs of the agency, and designs workshops and programs that meet those needs. By adding a program such as Boardmatch Fundamentals, Volunteer Thunder Bay will be able to continue providing new skills and competencies to those who wish to serve on voluntary boards of directors. Marie Klassen, Program Director Lakehead Social Planning Council

Volunteers "The new BoardMatch Fundamentals site is excellent and very user friendly. The process of applying itself was extremely simple!"  “I loved the simplicity of the BoardMatch Fundamentals site, it’s a very powerful tool.”   “I would also like to say that I am incredibly impressed with the BoardMatch Fundamentals process and have recommended the service to several friends and colleagues.  Your organizational meeting was very professional and the entire process has been efficient and very helpful to both me and the organization.  You provide a great service.  Keep up the good work!” “I am still very much singing your praises to my colleagues.  I wanted to express my appreciation for all your help and hard work at helping me find a charity that was right for me.” I would like to express my thanks for the great program that BoardMatch® (Altruvest) has designed and supported. It helps to have the support of your team as well as the confidence that the program gives new candidates. Great work and keep it up! Maybe more people will step up to the plate if they realize that there is the support and training available. The boardmatch experience gave me the confidence to seek a position as a BOD in a charity and the tools to find an organization that matched my interests and required my skills. Incredible. The service is so valuable for both parties; the charity and the board member. It's great to feel that you’re contributing. It makes the process so easy as trying to volunteer yourself would be much more painful and time consuming. "Thought this would be a great opportunity for my own personal development, and to give back to a cause I feel really passionate about." “This gives you access to strategic or financial decision-making that you may not be getting in your 9-to-5 job.” “It’s almost an on-the-ground MBA. You get access to a lot of things you’d be learning in theory, and it’s a more dynamic, exciting, learning ground.” “This is to inform you of the valuable service your online recruiting tool is rendering to the volunteer community. I was recruited as a Fundraising chair for the Mississauga chapter of the Canadian Cancer Society last September. As a relatively recent entrant to Canada this experience has given a better understanding of the Canadian culture and helped me integrate into the mainstream a lot easier. The dedication and motivation of fellow council members and staff has been inspiring.” “I joined the Ernestine Women’s Shelter last November and am now on their Board of Directors, in addition to being the Secretary of the Fundraising Committee. Without Altruvest, this would not have been possible.” “I’m very impressed by the quality of information you have, and I’d recommend your program to anyone—my only comment is, why did it take me so long to find you?! Many thanks.” “I would like to extend my personal thanks to you for your invaluable assistance in helping me secure a position on the Board of Community Care East York (CCEY). The BoardMatch Fundamentals process was very insightful and well delivered. I would encourage anyone interested in participating on a board to go through the process.” “I am learning so much about leadership….leadership at the highest level.  I realize that for organizations that are focused on social services, having good leadership is more critical now than ever before.” My BoardMatch Fundamentals experience has been exceptional, due to both the attentive staff at BoardMatch Fundamentals and the excellent BoardMatch Fundamentals website. The BoardMatch Fundamentals system enabled me to find the right "fit", meeting my expectations and also those of the Board. My experience since joining the Board has been rewarding in many ways. The BoardMatch Fundamentals system enabled me to find the right "fit", meeting my expectations and also those of the Board. “I would highly recommend BoardMatch Fundamentals to anybody who is interested in expanding their horizon.”

Charities One third of our Board of Directors are Boardmatch candidates that we have brought on during the last few years. The individuals selected are great. There were those that didn't make it, but we have honed our screening process to make sure that the applicant fits our organization. We are delighted with your service and have recommended you to others. Sharyn Goldberg-Board Vice Chairman & Nominating Committee-Orchestra Toronto I found BoardMatch to be an excellent service to recruit high quality board members for our organization. We have had five BoardMatch candidates become board members. Three of these board members became executive committee members during their tenure and contributed a great deal to the organizational health and capacity of the organization. We are now integrating two new BoardMatch volunteers into our board and look forward to working with these new enthusiastic members who bring strategic planning, computer knowledge, accounting expertise and a willingness to fundraise.  Heather Hufton- Executive Director-Peel Literacy Guild "You demonstrated in your presentations to both charities and potential volunteer directors the need for and the ways to accomplish sound governance in our organization. I had attended three such presentations and was so impressed with your professional approach that I encourage other Directors to share the experience. As a result we are now solidly established with the skills and expertise needed to meet the challenges of the future”. - Sr. Anne Schenck, Founder, President and Executive Director of the Furniture Bank “I just wanted to get back to you regarding our search for a Unit President. Dr._________ and I met numerous times and have just finalized our agreement. She has the skills and background that our unit needs, and she is a great person. She seems pleased as well and we look forward to an excellent working partnership. I just wanted to thank you for your help. Because of Dr. _____'s involvement, I have recruited three more council members who are eager to work with a council president of this background and stature.” - Mardi Taylor, Unit Manager, Canadian Cancer Society Holland River Unit “Finding suitable and knowledgeable board members is a struggle. The job that BoardMatch Fundamentals does and the information provided to prospective candidates help so much in the preparation for the board role.” - Cathy Denyer, Executive Director, Big Brothers Peel Region “I would like to extend my appreciation for the valuable and efficient service BoardMatch Fundamentals provides.  Through BoardMatch Fundamentals we have filled two Board vacancies at the Oakville Distress Centre within the past six months.” - Jennifer Watson, President, Oakville Distress Centre “Individuals who have the time, interest and skills to add value to a charitable organization and undertake the legal and fiduciary responsibilities are increasingly difficult to find. BoardMatch Fundamentals is an excellent complement to our BoardWalk/Volunteer Leadership Development Program, and we look forward to exploring many avenues of strategic collaboration.” – Al Hatton, CEO, United Way of Canada-Centraide Canada “The launch of BoardMatch Fundamentals, along with the new search feature to allow charities to search and locate applicants, are evidence of the ongoing improvements Altruvest is making to provide a service that is suited to the needs of its users. By still allowing the agency to control the process, each agency can adapt the use of BoardMatch Fundamentals to their existing internal processes. BoardMatch Fundamentals will still follow up to ensure that applicants are accountable and suitable and also to ensure that the agency is getting the most out of the service. Since we are a non-profit organization, the fact that we are able to access such a valuable resource at no cost, is excellent. More importantly, and less easy to measure, is the confidence we have in the BoardMatch Fundamentals applicants referred to our board, the guidance in the area of board governance and the ability to now strengthen the organization from the board level.” - Michelle Leblond, Vice President, Board of Directors, Nominating Chair, Girls Incorporated of York Region ”As a charity with a limited budget, it can be difficult to find the resources to advertise for skilled volunteer positions. BoardMatch Fundamentals allows us the opportunity to create awareness of our specific Board needs and provides us with interested and skilled volunteers local to our community. As well, the BoardMatch Fundamentals representatives are always friendly and very helpful. Furthermore, the web-based program allows us to instantly access and update our file and ensures convenient and effective communication with interested volunteers”. - Linda Snyder, Branch Manager, St. John Ambulance, Oakville Branch “We find the BoardMatch Fundamentals service a real gift to the not-for-profit sector. It is a creative and innovative concept that enhances all charities and volunteers. It is a great model of community development that brings together informed and committed community volunteers to support the governance of charitable services in their towns and cities”. - John McLean, Chairman of the Board, Pathways for Children, Youth and Families of York Region “I am writing to thank you and BoardMatch Fundamentals for all of the wonderful assistance which has been provided to Clarendon in our search for new Board members. We were very pleased with the calibre of candidates and we have invited two(2) to join our Board. Your organisation is doing a great job-keep up the good work!” - Sarah Kravetz, Clarendon “I have gone on-line to do the Board Orientation module myself.  It was very informative and thorough.” - Jessie Fraser, Executive Director, Pacific Riding for the Disabled Association The Vancouver / Burnaby Branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association is extremely grateful for the support of the BoardMatch Fundamentals Program. In the last year we have recruited 3 superb new Directors through BoardMatch Fundamentals with a great diversity of skills and experience. It's not an over-estimation to say that BoardMatch Fundamentals has revolutionized our nominations and recruitment process.” Jonathan Oldman, Executive Director - Canadian Mental Health Association