Creating a Vibrant Culture
“Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.”
Introduction
The latest Statistics Canada survey on Giving, Volunteering and Participating has revealed that in 2018, around 79% of Canadians aged 15 and older completed some form of volunteer work. In the non-profit heritage sector, specifically here at The Brown Homestead, we have seen first-hand the impact that volunteering can make. Countless hours have been donated by individuals working towards the noble cause of preserving and promoting our shared history.
Our volunteers and staff are ambassadors of this organization, relaying our mission to the public and embodying our values through their daily activities. Thus, it is important that we dedicate time towards ensuring a positive work environment for everyone who is involved in this special place. Today, we are sharing a bit more about how we view personal growth in the workplace, the vital role of volunteers, and our value of #VibrantCulture.
Our Mission, Vision and Values
The term “workplace culture” has received its share of attention over the past decade. Companies like Google, IBM and Microsoft are just a few businesses known for offering a positive workplace culture. They value their employees’ needs by offering things like flex time and remote work opportunities. While we are still a small organization, we want to be responsive to the needs of those who are involved with us at any level.
Vibrant Culture is one of our eight core values, all of which you can read about on our Mission and Vision page. Offering a vibrant workplace culture includes providing a collaborative learning environment for all. We believe that organizations thrive when the staff and volunteers are provided opportunities for growth, movement and meaningful intellectual contributions, whether they are with us for a long or short time. We believe in the “campfire rule,” and wish to ensure that anyone who works for and with The Brown Homestead leaves us better off than we found them.
This past summer was a whirlwind of activity as we connected with the community through public events. It was a thrill to host these gatherings, but now that fall is upon us we have seen an organizational shift in focus from the outside inwards. Allow us to elaborate…
Hiking in the Shorthills
Volunteers are VIPs
Our volunteers have been essential to the homestead’s operations since our inception in 2015. From public Doors Open events to historical research to site work and heritage restoration, this dedicated group has helped us get to where we are today. If you work or volunteer for a charity, you know how vital these volunteer hours are in keeping non-profits alive. In fact, that same Statistics Canada survey mentioned above notes that the number of volunteer hours put in by Canadians in 2018 is the equivalent of 2.5 million full-time jobs! We appreciate the fact that in these busy times, through a pandemic and into an uncertain economic climate with record-high inflation, people still choose to make time in their schedules to contribute to our cause. We know that your time is valuable. We acknowledge and treasure this gift.
2017 Volunteer Family Meal
This fall there have been a number of opportunities for us to put this value of creating a #VibrantCulture into practice, from both a staff and volunteer perspective. For example, in early October we invited our volunteers to join us on a hike in the Short Hills, followed by a glass of wine at Henry of Pelham. Check out those gorgeous autumn colours!
In another attempt to demonstrate our gratitude, we have made it a point to host an annual Volunteer Family Meal. At this event we pay thanks to those who have been part of our journey that year by offering them a meal and time to connect with one another. This year we are looking forward to hosting the volunteer group at Bench Brewery in Lincoln, and to showing our appreciation for these wonderful folks through food, fun and games.
Lifelong Learning
Taking a tour at the Woodland Cultural Centre
The message of promoting a vibrant workplace culture also applies to our staff and Board of Directors, as we aim to provide them with opportunities to learn and grow. For example, in October our staff paid a visit to the Niagara Parks Power Station, where they had the opportunity to see the impressive adaptive re-use of the Parks’ century-old building. We also visited the Woodland Cultural Centre a few weeks ago, taking in the museum and art exhibitions. This visit taught us more about the history of the Haudenosaunee people and the legacy of residential schooling in Ontario.
When we take the time to educate ourselves, we can better navigate conversations that take place at The Brown Homestead. This includes discussions with visitors while conducting tours, contractors while completing site work, donors while discussing sponsorship or fundraising, and partners while planning events and programs. By helping our staff expand their knowledge and understanding of Niagara’s history, we are better equipped to serve the community in our work going forward.
The staff also had a chance to have some fun together on Halloween, carving pumpkins and wearing costumes to work. Of course, there was some friendly competition; the best pumpkin and best costume (as decided by our Instagram followers) won gift cards to the local Mahtay Cafe and Beechwood Donuts!
Our staff proudly displaying their pumpkins and costumes on Halloween
Career Development
We encourage our staff to participate in workshops and activities that relate to their career goals, with the caveat that they share their experiences with the group afterwards. This could mean working on an archaeological excavation in another part of the Niagara region for a day, spending a few hours attending a workshop on how to make reproduction Georgian-era floorcloths, or attending a seminar on how to attract sponsors. The knowledge gained from these experiences can be put towards the work being completed here at The Brown Homestead.
Director of Community Engagement Jess Linzel explains the process of using historical GIS to show how the boundaries of The Brown Homestead have changed since the 18th century.
The staff also has plenty of opportunities to share their knowledge with the rest of the team. We have learned about restoration design concepts, comparing the interior of the John Brown House with similar heritage buildings and discussing options for future upgrades. We have also learned about how modern technology like GIS can help us communicate stories of the past in an engaging and effective way.
In regular check-ins with management, staff members can talk about their evolving role within the organization. We discuss how to optimize their potential for success during their time with us by creating a job description incorporating both their skills and career development goals.
Testimonials
We asked some of our staff what was their favourite part of being on The Brown Homestead team, and here are some of the responses. We promise no bribes were involved in the writing of this article!
“Undoubtedly the best part is the people! It’s like working with good friends, which is just one of the reasons I enjoy coming to the homestead every morning.”
“Collaboration is at the core of a lot of what we do at The Brown Homestead. We’re a small but growing team who rely on each other a lot. It feels great to work in such a supportive and collaborative environment with genuinely great people, who also know when it’s time to take a break and have fun!”
“I could say that fostering a positive work environment helps us attract and keep the most talented staff, but it’s just as much about how I want to spend my day and who I want to spend it with.”
How Can I Help?
Volunteers and staff build a deck for the Norton Cabin on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Would you like to join us on our journey towards making The Brown Homestead one of Niagara’s most exciting new cultural venues? If you’re already a volunteer here then hey! 👋 thanks for reading and we’ll see you soon at the Family Meal. If you have not yet signed up but would like to volunteer, please email us at volunteers@thebrownhomestead.ca to join our group. We send out a volunteer newsletter on a quarterly basis with updates on volunteer opportunities and how to become involved. Hint: We could use some help decorating the John Brown House for Christmas.
Come join us! Our door is open.