Connect BC sparks new ideas and lasting relationships

Nearly 200 community foundation staff and board members from across British Columbia gathered in Kelowna this September for the second Connect BC conference. Over three days, attendees took part in more than 20 plenaries, workshops and roundtable conversations designed to spark new ideas and strengthen relationships across the province. 

Connecting familiar faces with new ones  

For Kerri Kirincic, Director of Community Networks and the lead organizer of the conference, bringing new people into the room was a priority. 

"I wanted to ensure that we were reaching a new audience," she said. "My hope was that people who heard about how good it was last time would be told to attend — and I think we nailed it."

One of the first-time attendees was Angie McLeod, a new board member with the Maple Ridge Community Foundation . She arrived with a desire to learn and better understand the role of a community foundation.

"I walked into the conference with a really open mind. What can I learn? How can I better support my board? From that perspective, I was literally a sponge," she said.   

Every workshop Angie attended gave her something to consider and bring back to her board. One session encouraged her to think about developing an artificial intelligence policy. Others offered ideas about storytelling, governance, and long-term planning.

Just as importantly, the conference introduced her to people she can turn to for guidance and resources.

"It helps to be able to see the different ways people are doing those pieces from both an operational and a board perspective. It's really about idea generation, and I think that's huge," said Angie.

Forging a network  

Kerri believes the event's true impact will unfold over time, as new relationships grow and strengthen. When people know their peers, they know they are not alone. They have someone to call when they face a challenge, need help, or want to test a new idea. 

"It's not always an immediate impact, but it's a big one," she said. "It helps forge those relationships. It's helping community foundations know that they have others they can lean on, and that there are others doing really great work."

For Kerri, the long days and months of planning were "100 per cent worth it." Attendees told her they made time for the conference because it gave them an opportunity to learn, connect with their peers, and "fill their cup."

That energy reflects her goals for the network of 62 community foundations in B.C. She hopes that together, the network will continue to grow, share knowledge, support one another, and accomplish change at the provincial scale.

"I want people to walk away feeling appreciated and inspired," Kerri said. "I want people to walk away knowing that we see them. We know how much they care for their communities, and this event is for them."

Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the Connect BC conference. We're grateful for your partnership! The event takes place every two years and the next one is scheduled for 2028. If you'd like to learn more about Connect BC, reach out to Kerri .

Photos by Michael and SuZanne Hintringer