Wanted: Event Coordinator

We’re looking for a pro-active event coordinator to assume a leadership role and organize events to raise awareness and much needed funds to care for our ever-growing family of kittens and cats.

Responsibilities

  • Seek out fundraising event opportunities, research and recommend opportunities for new events;
  • Build relationships with local event organizers and vendors;
  • Screen event attendance requests and determine if appropriate;
  • Execute and plan VOKRA events – organize information tables/booths at local pet conventions, community events and pet food stores; ensure appropriate volunteer staffing, coordinate third-party event attendance;
  • Coordinate with other teams inside VOKRA as needed for events,
    such as Communications, Photography, etc.
  • Arrange transportation of promotional and event supplies to and from the event;
  • Manage record keeping and reporting for events – money raised, inventory sold, etc.
  • Participate as part of the Fundraising and Events committee, including attending quarterly meetings

Skills, Experience & Abilities

  • Highly organized, exceptional planner with high attention to detail;
  • Desire to lead and take ownership of events;
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills: ability to work collaboratively with teams and fellow volunteers
  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
  • Adaptable, with a keen interest in VOKRA
  • Experience coordinating events
  • Access to a vehicle

To apply please complete the volunteer application form here and then email Pat at [email protected] to let him know you’ve completed the application.

Sophie & Leo’s Happy Tail Ending

Sophie and Leo are two black beauties who were returned to VOKRA after their previous guardians’ family situation changed and they could no longer care for them. These siblings were quite bonded and needed to find a new forever home together.

Angela decided to add a kitty (or two) to her family earlier this year. She knew she wanted to adopt Sophie and Leo shortly after meeting them: “They were friendly and [Sophie] hopped on the couch when we were getting close to leaving and rested right beside me.”

Sophie and Leo have been in their new home for six months now and have settled in to a new routine of staring out the window together and meowing to each other when they think they’re alone.

“Sophie sleeps on her back with her paws curled in the air and loves to sleep between legs, Leo will run past you and lay right in front to have his belly rubbed,” said Angela. “We spend a lot of time with them, playing and hiding treats; they love to hunt for treats around the house.”

We’re so glad Sophie and Leo got their happy ending. Happy ‘tails’ you two!

Would you like to share your Happy Tail? Email us at [email protected].

Post written by Kim C.

2017 AGM set for October 19

VOKRA will be holding its 2017 Annual General Meeting on October 19 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. Anyone can attend our AGM, however in order to vote you need to become a society member. Membership is only $10 and is a great way to show your support for VOKRA.

2017 VOKRA AGM
Thursday, October 19
7 to 8 p.m. (doors open at 6:15 p.m.)
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 1573 – 18 Avenue E., Vancouver
RSVP & BECOME A SOCIETY MEMBER

Members will receive a full agenda package, but briefly, the points to be covered will be:

  • Minutes of the Previous AGM, October 13, 2016
  • Presentation: 2017 in Review
  • Treasurer’s Report: 2016 Financial Statements
  • Motion to set membership fee post October AGM
  • Motions to change the bylaws (if any)
  • Election of the Board members
  • Thank you to the Outgoing Board
  • New Business
  • Meeting Adjourned

We have asked people to indicate whether or not they will be attending the meeting so we can get a rough idea of the number of people who will show up. People intending to run for Board positions must be present for both the nomination and the acceptance of the nomination. Under BC Society Act bylaws, no proxies are permitted.

At the AGM we will be electing six new members of the board of directors to serve a two-year term until 2019. Board membership is a leadership position within VOKRA that guides the organization to achieve its mission. Directors act in a position of trust for the community and are responsible for the effective governance of our organization.

Current board members seeking re-election:

Tasha Bukovnik

Tasha’s been volunteering with VOKRA since 2014 and has been on the board since 2016, currently in the role of vice president. She’s a public relations professional and leads VOKRA’s integrated communications and marketing team. She oversees all of VOKRA’s social media activities, coordinates the quarterly Mewsletter, manages the blog, coordinates the development of marketing materials, helps promote events, handles media relations and generally supports other VOKRA teams with whatever they need. Tasha also leads the fundraising committee and her main focus is to manage VOKRA’s direct fundraising initiatives and appeals. When not volunteering, Tasha loves hanging out on the couch reading or knitting with her CH cat Bran and she’s also a certified yoga teacher.

Nicky Forsman

Nicky’s Head of Creative for OUTtv and is mostly known to those at VOKRA as the producer/director of the documentary series Kitty 911. Filming the series gave Nicky a unique perspective of all facets of VOKRA. It allowed her to meet volunteers from all departments and really delve into how the organization functions – an opportunity not many VOKRA volunteers are lucky enough to have. This insight inspired Nicky to join the board late last year and continues to inform the work that she does at VOKRA. When Nicky’s not working she’s usually at home snuggled up with her kitty Brooklynn, a former VOKRA mama, or educating her neighbours about how their cats should really be kept inside. A huge passion of hers, Nicky dreams of a world where seeing a cat outdoors alone raises the same red flag for the general public as it would to see a dog in the same situation.

Andrea Langille

Andrea began volunteering with VOKRA in 2015 and took on the role of Treasurer in May 2017. She is a CPA, CGA with many years of experience in the not-for-profit area. In her role as Treasurer, Andrea works with the finance team to ensure the proper collection of revenue, processing of payments, tax and gaming grant compliance, and financial statement preparation. Andrea enjoys hiking, gardening and spending time with her friends, family and her senior kitty Lexus.

Jeff Matthews

Jeff and his son Raine have been enthusiastic VOKRA volunteers for close to seven years. Originally starting out as drivers, they’ve taken on a range of roles, including cat care, failed foster, vaccinations and generally being available to help out when needed. Jeff was elected to the board last year, where he helps lead the IT team. He’s also the proud companion to two VOKRA kitties. Jeff has had a life-long love of animals, dedicating much of his spare time to volunteer activism for the environment and animal rights, including a stint as President of Sea Shepherd Canada. In his professional life, Jeff holds a PhD in Physics from UBC, working as a biomedical research consultant and advisor.

Maria Soroski

Maria co-founded VOKRA with Karen Duncan in 1999, after years of volunteering with cats and kittens. While volunteering, Maria saw a desperate need to develop a holistic approach to cat and kitten care, as well as a TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) program in order to keep the feral and homeless cat population down. After VOKRA’s inception, Maria’s dream started coming true. Local shelters were seeing a dramatic drop in feral cat and kitten numbers in Vancouver – something Maria is proud to have helped with. She paved the way with VOKRA’s founding values and continues to ensure that as a no-kill organization, the TNR program is one of the best in BC. With a passion for giving homeless and feral cats a happy and healthy life, Maria always ensures VOKRA uses organic and nutritious food for all cats. With VOKRA keeping her busy, the former prairie gal loves to reward herself with time spent at home relaxing with her cats.

Vacancy: Director at Large

We’re actively recruiting for an additional director at large to serve a two year term. A director is fully informed on organizational matters and participates in the board’s deliberations and decisions in matters of policy, finance, programs, personnel and advocacy. They also review the bylaws and policy manual and recommend bylaw changes to the membership; participate in the development of VOKRA’s organizational plan and annual review; and assist in developing and maintaining positive relations among the board, committees, operations management team, volunteers and community to enhance VOKRA’s mission. Directors at large are required to attend monthly VOKRA board meeting, including preparation time to review materials.

Here’s what it takes to be a board member:

  • MEMBERSHIP IN THE VOKRA SOCIETY! You must be a member to be a board member
  • Commitment to the work of the organization
  • Knowledge and skills in one or more areas of board governance: policy, finance, programs, personnel, fundraising and advocacy
  • Willingness to serve on committees and attend committee meetings
  • Attendance at monthly board meetings + preparation time to review materials
  • Attendance at meetings of assigned committees
  • Attendance at Annual General Meetings
  • Support of special events
  • Support of and participation in fundraising events

If you’ve got what it takes and want to learn more email [email protected].