Get your ticket for thank u, next on May 11

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interVivos is hosting our first community engagement event in 3 years on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, from 7-9 pm MST.  This virtual event is dedicated to shining a light on the hidden, gender-based impacts of the pandemic and coming together to develop inclusive and practical solutions.

Don’t miss out on thank u, next. Purchase your tickets here.

Our board of directors is still concerned about everyone’s safety, so we will be hosting the event on Zoom. But this won’t be your typical Zoom meeting—we’ll work in smaller groups to interact and connect closely with local experts.

As everything in Edmonton starts to get back to a “new normal,” we’re saying thank u, next to all the gender-based pandemic roadblocks, and thank u, yes to practical community-based solutions. That’s where you come in!

Together, we will look at some of the biggest challenges women and gender-diverse people face, as voted by you in our recent survey. Based on the feedback from the survey, six topics were identified that our community would be most interested in tackling: 

  • Mental health impacts (31%)
  • Work-life effectiveness & setting boundaries (25%)
  • Growing a career in the face of uncertainty (12%)
  • Championing diversity & allyship (12%)
  • Access to healthy and safe spaces (10%)
  • Equal partnerships & unpaid work (6%)
  • Financial impacts (4%)

For the sake of time at the event on May 11, 2022, we will only be discussing the top 5 issues. We will use community wisdom during the event to face and overcome these challenges.

Emcee: Sarah Chan (She/Her), Community Engagement & Relationships Lead, Alberta Mentoring Partnership

Speakers:

 interVivos strives to make its events accessible to everyone. All genders are welcome.  Limited tickets are available for this event, as interVivos is committed to delivering an experience where everyone has an opportunity to connect, reflect and share. (Or just listen if that’s more your style.)

Tickets are available for $5, $10, and $15. Attendees are encouraged to pick a price that suits their circumstances. All proceeds are reinvested in our programs and events. If you would like a reduced ticket price, please contact us at connect@intervivos.ca.

We look forward to seeing you (virtually, of course) on May 11 and hearing your voice in our chats.

Don’t miss out on the event thank u, next. Purchase your tickets here.

 

If you have questions about this event, please take a look at our thank u, next FAQS.

Be sure to check us out on social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Tiktok, and Twitter) to stay updated on interVivos and find out more about our upcoming events. Feel free to drop us a line at connect@intervivos.ca with any questions. 

Event sponsors

Thank you to our generous sponsors.

Presenting Sponsor: Park Power

Event Sponsors: pipikwan pêhtâkwan, Ruby Gorgeous Salon, the bamboo ballroom, The Common, Token Bitters, Mock-Ups Mocktails, Pieter deVos Consulting, and Doughnut Party.

Meet an interVivos supporter: Rhys Morgan

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The start of the new year is an excellent time to showcase one of our long-term supporters: Rhys Morgan.

Rhys is a busy person, but since he is a leader of a global firm with nearly 50,000 employees worldwide, that does not come as a shock. Thankfully he always has time for interVivos.  We interviewed him this winter to find out why he supports interVivos.

Rhys works as a Partner at RSM Canada. RSM Canada is an audit, tax, and consulting firm with offices in 120 countries around the globe. As a Partner, Rhys leads the consulting service offerings across Canada. RSM Canada is one of our two co-presenting sponsors for our Fall 2021 Mentorship program. interVivos wouldn’t be able to keep putting on these programs without supporters like RSM Canada and, of course, Rhys.

Rhys has a long history with interVivos. He first learned about the organization from his wife, Ashley. She was a board member over ten years ago. Over the years, Rhys has supported many events and programs as a sponsor, and both he and his wife have served as mentors. Check out an earlier blog with Rhys here. 

Rhys knows it’s essential to engage with and give back to the community.  In particular, along with interVivos, he is passionate about and gives time and resources regularly to Boys & Girls Clubs Big Brothers Big Sisters and Little Warriors.

Mentorship is deeply valued by Rhys, who says his mentors have been instrumental in helping him achieve his goals. He shares that it was “purely by chance that I managed to luck out and find those people.” Today they’re not only his mentors but also his close personal friends, some of whom flew halfway across the world to attend his wedding.

When Rhys first learned of interVivos, he felt the cause truly resonated with him because of how mentorship impacted his own life. “It’s having an additional person looking out for you and trying to guide you and maximize your potential,” he says fondly.

RSM Canada also takes mentorship seriously, incorporating mentorship and community engagement into their workplace culture in various ways. For example, the company ensures that each team member is assigned a career advisor, who acts as a mentor. This person supports them through career planning, performance evaluations, and day-to-day support when needed.

Each RSM Canada office picks a charity of choice annually.  Rhys’  office supports Little Warriors through fundraising and volunteering efforts. Rhys and his co-workers had the opportunity to visit the  Little Warriors, Be Brave Ranch. “We did some painting and mowing of lawns and packed up some gift boxes for the children,” he recalls. RSM also has ‘Employee Network Groups’ that come together around a shared experience or community. For example, Rhys is a part of the Pride Group and the Family-first Group.

We appreciate everything Rhys has done over the years for our small nonprofit. About interVivos, Rhys says: “It’s a great cause. I’m happy to be a part of it and would like to do even more in the future.” We’d like that too!

To find out about how you can support us like Rhys and RSM Canada, please email connect@intervivos.ca.

Celebrating 15 years in Edmonton with 15 interVivos facts 

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interVivos is celebrating its 15th anniversary! Since 2006, our mentorship programs and community engagement events have brought together thousands of people from all walks of life.

To celebrate our big 15th, we’re sharing 15 facts that you didn’t know about interVivos. (Or maybe you did. Either way, let’s get started!)

1. We are championed by women.

The interVivos board is comprised of five, mostly BIPOC, women. We all come from various backgrounds and industries and are deeply passionate about inspiring and engaging Edmontonians. We are supported by two unpaid interns. Learn more about our current board members and interns here. 

2. We have had over 100 sponsors. 

Financial and in-kind support from local businesses helps us run our events, gives people access to our programs, and so much more! A big shout-out goes to longtime sponsors: Park Power, RSM Canada, Doughnut Party, VSM Photo, The Common, Evolution Wonderlounge, and Incite. We couldn’t do it without you!

Looking for a way to share your brand that also fosters leadership and mentorship? Partner with interVivos as a sponsor.

3. The pandemic did not stop us.

In fact, it reinvigorated us. While we’ve been stuck at home, the interVivos board has been using this time to develop more mentorship programs and resources. 

When the pandemic hit Alberta in March 2020, we quickly pivoted and launched three virtual mentorship programs. We have supported 66 mentors and protégés during the pandemic. Find out more.

4. We are 100% volunteer-run.

People are often surprised to learn that interVivos has no paid staff. Instead, our programs and events are made possible through the hard work of our volunteer board. Many volunteer hours go into producing and running our programs and events for Edmontonians. Learn more about our work behind the scenes. 

5. We have a mascot.

Meet Peg, the interVivos mascot. Peg uses gender-neutral pronouns, is shaped like a board game piece, and represents the first “i” in interVivos. 

6. We are advised by a number of Edmonton’s established leaders. 

interVivos advisors donate their time to help us make an impact in the community. In addition, they provide guidance and support in areas like strategic planning and community engagement.

Current advisors are:

Shout out to long-term advisor and former Deputy Prime Minister, The Honourable Anne McLellan who recently stepped down. 

7. Our events rock!

While many know us for our mentorship programs, interVivos also offers non-partisan community engagement events that focus on issues that matter to Edmontonians. These topics range from election discussions to gender equality, pipelines to community leadership. 

Edmonton, we can’t wait to be together in person again when it’s safe for everyone. So keep an eye out for interVivos events and programs in 2022!

8. We partner with other nonprofits.

interVivos has collaborated with other nonprofits to deliver our programs and events. For example, we partnered with the Edmonton Heritage Council to pilot a mentorship program for heritage-sector professionals. 

We have also partnered with national nonprofit Apathy is Boring to offer over 200 Edmontonians an exciting non-partisan federal election viewing party and an evening of drag at Evolution Wonderlounge.

Interested in partnering with us? Get in touch at connect@intervivos.ca. 

9. We are lighting up the bridge!

Edmonton’s High Level Bridge will be lit up in the interVivos colours — black, white, and red — on the morning and evening of Wednesday, November 24, 2021. This is one of the ways interVivos is celebrating all that we’ve done for Edmonton over the last 15 years. 

Come join in the celebrations (from a safe distance). Take a selfie with the bridge, tag us on social media, and use #interVivos15. We’d love to see and share your pictures. 

10. We have connected over 700 mentors and protégés.

interVivos has been organizing mentorship programs in Edmonton since 2006. While some people look to mentorship for career development, our program focuses on the importance of a reciprocal relationship between mentors and protégés.

interVivos mentors and protégés have worked on various things, such as personal growth and development, leadership, workplace challenges, career changes, building networks, questioning comfort zones, and work-life effectiveness. Find out more.

11. We are always looking for new mentors.

interVivos is always looking to amplify diverse voices and showcase the impressive people in the community. Our volunteer mentors are highly sought after and come from various backgrounds, careers, and perspectives. 

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer mentor in 2022, email us at connect@intervivos.ca. 

12. We amplify women and BIPOC mentors.

We believe in taking proactive and purposeful action to ensure that different voices are heard, included, supported, and amplified. This action will help to increase the diversity of the leadership teams who will become our future decision-makers. 

interVivos was over the moon to host its first all-female mentorship program in Summer 2019. We also know the importance of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (or BIPOC) mentors, which is why we hosted a program with exclusively BIPOC mentors in Fall 2020.

13. We support local. 

interVivos always looks for opportunities to support our community whenever we can. Local businesses innately have a better understanding of the community and its people. The customer service experience is much more personalized and attentive. That’s why we love to support local

Check out our favourite Edmonton businesses to shop at this fall and splurge on over the holiday season.

14. You can intern with us.

interVivos has participated in several internship programs over the past 15 years. Many of our interns have stayed on with the organization for longer board terms. Currently, we have two fantastic unpaid interns, Janette and Lauren. Meet them here.

We are always looking to collaborate with new programs interested in finding placements for students and youth. Drop us a line if you would like to be an intern with us or if you are looking for placement opportunities for your organization.

15. We just launched a quarterly newsletter.

interVivos is always up to something, and we want Edmontonians to know about it. That’s why we launched our community e-newsletter this month.

Subscribe now to find out what’s on the go at interVivos. Read stories about our programs and get inspired by what we’re doing to engage our vibrant #YEG community.  

A humble request: A donation of $15.00 in celebration of our special anniversary means that we can continue cultivating, engaging, and mentoring Edmontonians. Thank you for your birthday gift that will inspire the future leaders of Edmonton for many more years to come! Donate now.

Our 15th anniversary celebrations will be going on well into 2022. Make sure you follow the hashtag #interVivos15 to see what we have planned. Thanks for being a part of our journey over the past 15 years. We couldn’t have done it without you. 

Our ongoing relationship with reconciliation

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interVivos continues to be committed to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. For us, this is an ongoing commitment to establishing respectful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. We need to be aware of the true history of Indigenous peoples, the harm that has been inflicted, then take action to make things right. 

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission defines reconciliation as “establishing and maintaining a mutually respectful relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples in Canada. For that to happen, there has to be awareness of the past, an acknowledgment of the harm that has been inflicted, atonement for the causes, and action to change behavior.”

On September 30th, 2021, interVivos joined millions of Canadians in marking the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day honours the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families, and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process. Unfortunately, so many more terrible things have happened to Indigenous peoples in Canada, beyond Residential Schools. For example, the Sixties Scoop,  forced adoptions, and theft of land.  

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation got us thinking more about our relationship with Indigenous peoples in our community and why it’s essential for us as an organization to continue to inform ourselves about colonialism and systemic racism. Colonialism attempts to transform Indigenous identities to conform to the governing society. As a result, colonial systems cause damage to Indigenous economies, laws, spiritual traditions, politics, and gender relations. Systemic racism, also known as institutional racism, refers to how whiteness and white superiority become embedded in the policies and processes of an institution, resulting in a system that advantages white people and disadvantages Indigenous and racialized people, notably in employment, education, justice, and social participation.

We are always looking for ways to amplify Indigenous mentors and showcase the impressive work in our community.  Indigenous peoples are generally underrepresented in leadership positions. It is important for us to create an environment that values diversity. Our Fall 2020 mentorship program was focused exclusively on Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (or BIPOC) mentors. Check out another blog post about two Indigenous mentors from that program and their experiences as leaders in the community: https://sarahndipity8.ca/meet-the-gwin-sisters/.  We’ve also held community engagement events with Indigenous leaders, such as a non-partisan discussion on the Idle No More movement. Please reach out to us with names of potential Indigenous volunteer mentors or guest speakers for our community events at connect@intervivos.ca.

Working with Indigenous peoples means allyship, prioritizing advocacy, and above all, participating in the justice of reconciliation that supports a resurgence of Indigenous sovereignty. In dealing with the effects of colonialism, we are obligated to seek reconciliation for wrongs done. So what will we do? 

  • Be fiercely committed to concrete actions because this is an act of reconciliation, returning what is owed for past and ongoing injustices inflicted on Indigenous peoples.
  • Include anti-colonialism practices in our work. 
  • Participate in Indigenous-focused anti-oppression and colonialism training.
  • Continue to intentionally include and support Indigenous peoples in our mentorship programs and community engagement events. 
  • Continue to amplify Indigenous voices, fiercely support equality, and be an ally for Indigenous causes and issues. 

Continue to follow our blog to find out more about our journey of reconciliation. Are you looking for a pledge to get you started on your commitment to reconciliation? Check out this personal pledge with some commitments you can weave into your life.  

MEET OUR NEW INTERNS!

The interVivos board is delighted to have two new interns. 

The interns will be voting board members well into 2022. We’ve participated in several internship programs over the past 15 years, and many of our interns have stayed on with the organization for longer board terms. Click here to read about the transformative experience of one of our recent interns: https://sarahndipity8.ca/meet-an-intervivos-board-member-victoria-pearson/.  

Janette Bishop has joined our board as a board intern from the Applied Human Service Administration program at MacEwan University. Janette joined the board in July 2021 and will be with interVivos until the end of June 2022. She will be putting in 750 hours of work within that time. 

Lauren Hill has joined interVivos from the Youth @ the Table program and will be with us until March 2022 as a board intern. For the third year now, interVivos is participating in this fantastic program. This is a six-month province-wide initiative from Volunteer Alberta that seeks to engage youth aged 18-30 to shape their communities. 

Find out more about Janette and Lauren below.

JANETTE BISHOP

Janette Bishop is a mature student in her 4th year at MacEwan University in the Bachelor of Applied Human Administration program. She hopes to create professional relationships and acquire skills that will help her transition into a new career. As a licensed practical nurse (since 2005), she has enjoyed working in both a hospital and a community setting. Janette is passionate about community building and social equality.  

She played a significant role in organizing our recent Fall 2021 mentorship program. Janette has five children, ages 8-14. She enjoys gardening and also looking after her dogs and chickens in St. Albert.

 

LAUREN HILL

Lauren has experience in government and politics and currently works for Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada. She is also a Political Science graduate student at the University of Alberta. Having recently moved to Edmonton, she aims to build her professional network in the community. Lauren has held roles such as Speaker of Legislative Council and Chairperson of the board of Directors for the Students Society of McGill University (SSMU). Lauren believes in the importance of politics and government and approaches such experiences as opportunities to connect and conduct outreach with Canadians.  

 

Follow along on our blog to learn more about the work that Janette and Lauren will be doing with interVivos over the next several months. We are also looking to collaborate with new programs that are interested in finding placements for students and youth. Drop us a line if you would like to be an intern with us in the future or if you are looking for placement opportunities for your program.

Your vote matters

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Edmonton’s municipal election race is about to end after almost a year of campaigning, scores of Zoom debates, millions of dollars spent, and many high-profile candidates. The next step is up to you, the voter. You’ve to make your decisions on Monday, October 18, 2021. 

Usually, this time of year is a busy one for interVivos. As you know, we organize nonpartisan municipal election events to have deep discussions on issues that matter. Our board of directors is still concerned about everyone’s safety, so arranging an in-person event was not the right thing to do during the fourth wave. We also know that our audience has severe Zoom fatigue! If you’re nostalgic, you can click here to watch a short video debrief from our last municipal election event in 2017 and to read a “What We Heard Document.” Many of the top-of-mind issues from 2017 remain the same this election—housing, homelessness, transit, and diversity on council.  

This election is your opportunity to shape the direction of your community by choosing our leaders for the next four years. Sadly, it is a responsibility that too few electors have taken up in the past. Only around 30 percent of Edmonton’s eligible voters went to the polls in the last civic election. 

It is heartening that 10 percent of voters have already voted in Edmonton’s advance polls. That could herald a significantly healthier participation rate among electors. However, the pandemic might deter others who aren’t sure about the public health measures in place despite preparations to deliver a safe election: thttps://www.edmonton.ca/city-government/edmonton-elections/voting-election/safe-election. 

Anyone concerned about moving past the pandemic and other issues such as better urban transit, climate change, fair taxes, clean streets, efficient garbage collection and recycling, recreational facilities, and well-maintained roads has good reason to vote. So, too, does anyone who cares about the quality and future of local schools. Click here to find out more about where to vote: https://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/municipal_elections/find-your-voting-station. 

Electing the wrong people to the local office could trigger long-term damage in all these areas of the public sector. That’s why it’s so important for voters to be informed and take the time to cast a ballot and act on their best judgment for the mayor, councilors, and school board trustees. Our friends from Taproot Edmonton have put together this handy survey to help people decide: https://edmonton.taproot.vote/2021/surveys/peoples-agenda/match. Find out who you agree with most before you go to vote!

The 2021 Edmonton Election also includes the senate nominee election and two referendum votes. We have pulled some links together to help those still struggling with their decisions on the two referendums.

Good luck making your decisions, and thank you for your commitment to democracy. The City of Edmonton has suspended election fares on October 18, making it even easier for you to cast your ballot. 

Make sure to check us out for in-person dialogue events in 2022 on issues that matter to Edmonton and area residents. If you are interested in collaborating with us on an event, please contact the board at connect@intervivos.ca. 

Behind the scenes at interVivos

Since the planning for our Fall 2021 mentorship program launch has wrapped, we wanted to take some time to highlight the vital work that our board is doing to impact the Edmonton community to bring people together. 

If you’ve been following interVivos for a while, you know that we’ve been bringing people together way before the pandemic. Since 2006, interVivos has connected nearly 700 mentors and protégés through its semi-annual mentorship program.

People are often surprised to learn that we have no paid staff. Our programs and  events are made possible through the hard work of the interVivos volunteer board. Many volunteer hours go into producing and running our programs and events for Edmontonians “behind the scenes”. 

Our board is small and mighty. We are currently only five board members, mostly  BIPOC women, from a variety of backgrounds and industries. In addition, we are supported by two unpaid board interns. Learn more about our board members and interns here. 

While many people who’ve been stuck at home during the pandemic have binged a new Netflix series or become a master baker, our board has been using this extra time to develop even more mentorship programs and resources. When the pandemic hit, we quickly pivoted and have now launched three mentorship programs virtually. As a result, we have supported 66 mentors and protégés during the pandemic.

It’s always lovely to receive kudos. Some comments about our pandemic mentorship programming:

  • “I’ve been a part of many networking opportunities in the past years, wine and cheese, speed networking, etc., in both the capacity of protégé and mentor. I’ve seen some terrible things happen out of these events because of the power dynamics that are the foundation of networking sometimes. I entered interVivos with very low expectations, but I was so pleased with this program. You all have worked
    very hard, and it shows! The structured approach and all the thoughts and care you put in from the training to considerations about power, social media promotion, and the little thank-you’s are all very much appreciated. Thank you for having me–I’ve enjoyed my experience!”.
  • “Excellent job organizing the program, including the orientation, launch evening and information provided throughout. You are a truly fantastic group of people that use their free time to make a difference in the community.”

In the spirit of giving back to our community during the pandemic, our board ispassionate about keeping our mentorship program costs low. Protégés choose their fee to participate in our programs. The fees collected are directly invested in our programs, events, and nonprofit costs. We also provide free protégé spots to local nonprofits. interVivos is always looking for more nonprofit groups to offer protégé spots to for free. If you know of an organization that could benefit, email connect@intervivos.ca.

Be sure to check us out on social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter) to stay up to date on all things interVivos.  Feel free also to drop us a line at connect@intervivos.ca with any questions that you may have.

Paying it forward: Fall 2021 mentors share one thing they’ve learned from their mentors

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interVivos is thrilled to highlight a roster of amazing volunteer mentors for its Fall 2021 Mentorship Program.

We asked each of them to share one thing they’ve learned from one of their own mentors. Check out what they had to say in their own words.

“It’s okay to make mistakes and it’s okay not to have all the answers. Try and learn something new from each interaction you have. They may not all lead somewhere, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t worth your time.” – Chelsey Quirk

“The power of mindfulness: that no matter how challenging and seemingly impossible your current situation is, there is always something to learn from, appreciate, and find happiness in. Joy and satisfaction are available to you at any time. All it takes is a shift in perspective.” – Christina Ignacio-Deines

“The power of authenticity.” – Christine Channer Auguste

“Spend time figuring out your values and beliefs that you are not willing to sacrifice. Set your goals based on those values and work on achieving them without sacrificing your values and beliefs. Even small steps towards should be celebrated. Be ok with taking a wrong turn too as long as you reflect and learn and grow from that experience. Just keep moving, you will get there at your own timelines. Don’t compare yourself to others, just be your best self.” – Darija Slokar-Zlatarevic

“The importance of surrounding yourself with good mentors.” – François Bourdeau

“To create situations where everyone benefits.” – Kevin Taft

“The importance of clearly communicated expectations when delegating and empowering staff.”
– Matt Schuurman

“That some of my strongest skills like creative thinking and verbal communication — which people call “soft skills” — get easily written off as unimportant, when in reality they’re tremendously valuable and not everyone has them.” – Puneeta McBryan

“You can have more than one mentor or coach for various stages of your life. Always remember the root of your why and stay genuine to who you are.” – ​​Renée Chan

“The importance of dialogue and face-to-face interactions within relationship building, stakeholder relations and in establishing a healthy team environment.” – Trent Daley

“It is not how smart you are, but it is how you are smart.” – Wing Chan

Mentorship Monday: A chat with Abby Aiyeleye and Charmaine Lowe

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In fall 2020, interVivos launched its first mentorship program featuring volunteer mentors who are Black, Indigenous, or People of Colour (BIPOC). 

With this mentorship program, interVivos aimed to amplify minority voices, as people of colour are dramatically underrepresented in leadership roles across Canada. 

“It is important to take proactive and purposeful action to ensure that different voices are heard, included, and supported across the spectrum of roles,” says Zohreh Saher, interVivos president. “If we fail to challenge the system, we perpetuate the norm, which means that we wait for change to catch up rather than embracing and meeting it.”

Representing various industries and professional backgrounds, mentors and protégés were matched for six months. After a lively round of virtual “speed-rotations ” on Zoom at the online launch party in November 2020, mentor Abby Aiyeleye and protégé Charmaine Lowe were matched for 6 months.

Charmaine sat down to interview her mentor Abby about why she wanted to participate in the BIPOC mentorship program and her thoughts on mentorship in general. 

Abby is a seasoned project manager, strategic planner, and entrepreneur. Originally from Nigeria, Abby has been in Canada for six years, with some years in between spent in London, England, where she attended Greenwich University to study Business Administration. She got her first taste of entrepreneurship selling stuff on eBay, followed by owning and operating a specialty lingerie business with her sister. Her most recent venture is the home design app Clavis Studio, which she co-founded with her husband. The business plan for Clavis Studio won “best pitch – new business” and “best immigrant project – general” from Business Link in 2020. 

In fall 2020, Abby received a message on LinkedIn from Zohreh Saher saying she thought Abby would be a great fit as a mentor for the BIPOC mentorship program and asked if she’d be interested in participating. “I was so flattered!” Abby jokes, continuing to add that she’s had mentors in the past who have helped her grow, so having the chance to give back, in the same way, made her jump at the opportunity. Before interVivos, Abby mentored over a dozen people, both men, and women, because Abby loves helping people “reach for the stars.”

Recounting the interVivos process of matching up mentors, which involves all mentors and protégés meeting for 6 minutes at a time for the speed rotations, Abby says she was first apprehensive of the set-up but ended up loving the format. “It felt like speed-dating,” she says with a laugh. “I thought I wouldn’t have anything to talk about, and I ended up talking to everyone!”

One of the biggest worries both Abby and Charmaine had about participating in the mentorship program was fit. Both worried about not having much to talk about but ended up having so many things in common, from living in London, UK, to their passion for women’s empowerment and wishing to see more women in leadership roles. 

Abby and Charmaine both agree the narrative lens in Canada is still very much white and male, which is why Abby especially wanted to be a part of the BIPOC mentorship program.

“I hope I can provide two lenses for you: one of growth, and one where you understand the perspective I bring being black, being African, being a woman, being an immigrant,” she says. 

Abby goes on to elaborate that we all have intersections that make us who we are, and making an effort to diversify our perspectives helps us connect more with other people: “In the long run, these things impact your intersectionality as well. There are so many things that make us up as people, and that’s exciting. It’s a great way to connect with other people.”

Abby has some very clear advice for people who are interested in participating in a mentorship program. 

“Make sure you have a clear goal in mind for what you want to get out of the mentorship program,” she says. “Help your mentor understand that goal. Then, don’t be afraid to ask for help or rely on someone else’s expertise. Finally, be open to whoever you are given as a mentor. You’d be surprised at what the person has to offer and at their connections.” 

Abby encourages anyone looking for professional guidance to “participate, participate, participate! The mentors for this program were so diverse; it’s awesome! I was so impressed. I would do this again.” 

Registration for the Fall 2021 mentorship program is now open for protégés. Sign up here: https://fall2021registration.eventbrite.ca/.

Are you interested in being a volunteer mentor for a future program? Email connect@intervivos.ca to find out more. 

SOLD OUT! Fall 2021 Mentorship Program

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The Fall 2021 Mentorship Program is sold out! Join our waitlist for future programs here.

Follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter) or join our mailing list, so you don’t miss out on your next chance to become a protégé. 

interVivos is launching our Fall 2021 Mentorship Program on Tuesday, September 14, 2021. Ambitious professionals from the Edmonton area are invited to take part in the ever-popular interVivos mentorship program. Sign up now!

Our board of directors is still concerned about everyone’s safety, so we will be launching virtually over Zoom. The program will take place from October 2021 to March 2022. Mentors and protégés are welcome to meet in person or virtually throughout the 6-month program for their match meetings. 

Fall is a time to start fresh. After everything we’ve been through this past year, this is an opportunity for you to build new and diverse connections in Edmonton. Become a protégé and connect with Edmonton’s best and brightest. As well, you’ll work on your professional goals and “level up” in your community. Find out more about our mentorship programs by visiting our mentorship page and get the answers to your burning questions.

Here’s what some recent interVivos participants said about their experience:

  • “I loved the opportunity to work through some of the professional roadblocks and barriers I had been experiencing and having the feedback and guidance of someone who had been through similar situations and could help me to navigate them. My mentor also provided me with tangible exercises that I could do to help me gain clarity about my professional aspirations and goals and practically talk through how I can achieve them (or take the first steps). My mentor also has a wealth of knowledge about their industry since they are in a field that I am personally interested in–they had great resources to link me to and networks to connect with. ”
  • “It felt like I could fit professional advancement into my already busy schedule with the flexibility of the program requirements. My mentor was so fantastic, and her success inspires me! Our relationship is a place of mutual learning and respect, and I am looking forward to fostering this connection. We worked through some complex challenges, and I feel like I made some significant progress.”
  • “I’ve been a part of many networking opportunities in the past years, wine and cheese, speed networking, etc., in both the capacity of protégé and mentor. I’ve seen some terrible things happen out of these events because of the power dynamics that are the foundation of networking sometimes. I entered interVivos with very low expectations, but I was so pleased with this program. You all have worked very hard, and it shows! The structured approach and all the thoughts and care you put in from the training to considerations about power, to social media promotion, to the little thank-you’s – it’s all very much appreciated. Thank you for having me–I’ve enjoyed my experience!”. 

The following are the confirmed volunteer mentors for the Fall 2021 mentorship program:

Protégés choose their fee to participate in the program. The fees collected from protégés are directly invested in our programs, events, and non-profit costs. We also provide free protégé spots to local nonprofits.

A reminder that you can register to be a protégé by visiting: https://fall2021registration.eventbrite.ca. Limited spots are available!

Find out more by visiting our FAQ page and getting the answers to your burning questions.

Fall 2021 Program Sponsors

Thank you to our Co-Presenting Sponsors: RSM Canada and Park Power.

Thank you to our program sponsors:

Thank you to our Program Sponsors: Incite, VSM Photo, Downtown Business Association, Rapid Fire Theatre, CanaJan inc., Token Naturals, Face Ginch Handmade Masks and Doughnut Party.

 

 

Be sure to check us out on social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter) to stay up to date on all things interVivos and find out more about our Fall 2021 mentors.   Feel free also to drop us a line at connect@intervivos.ca with any questions that you may have.