Experience

WITS Programs Foundation

• Victoria, Canada

• Executive Director

  • 2017 - Present

  Our work is building a kinder, more inclusive society. With our partners, we've created Canada's national Pink Shirt Day event, revitalized the WITS/DIRE Program as a social enterprise, and created the Canadian Kindness Leaders youth program, piloted in four provinces. My role has been guiding this small charity to higher levels of capacity and prominence. Over four years, the WPF budget has tripled, new programs have been added, and the flagship WITS program has been completely revitalized to widen inclusivity, bolster program integrity, and increase cost recovery. Each year we positively impact more and more children, youth and their families. Show less



Andy Telfer Consulting

• British Columbia, Canada

• Consulting Specialist

  • 1997 - Present

  I've helped dozens of nonprofit societies and others increase their financial resilience, develop social enterprises, and plan for success. Clients have included BC Cycling Coalition, UNEP International Children's Conference, Environmental Protection Agency (Republic of Ireland), and many others, including coaching several NPOs in the Thriving NonProfits program. I've helped dozens of nonprofit societies and others increase their financial resilience, develop social enterprises, and plan for success. Clients have included BC Cycling Coalition, UNEP International Children's Conference, Environmental Protection Agency (Republic of Ireland), and many others, including coaching several NPOs in the Thriving NonProfits program.



Canada's Volunteer Awards

• Ottawa, Canada Area

• Co-Chair, National Advisory Committee

  • 2017 - 2019

  As Co-Chair over two intake periods, I led nomination reviews, and studied the operations of more than 150 outstanding nominees: volunteers, NGOs & social enterprises from all parts of Canada. We recommended award recipients to the federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development. As Co-Chair over two intake periods, I led nomination reviews, and studied the operations of more than 150 outstanding nominees: volunteers, NGOs & social enterprises from all parts of Canada. We recommended award recipients to the federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development.



Volunteer BC

• Richmond, BC

• Vice President

  • 2010 - 2018

  As Vice President I helped build VBC's brand, partnerships and annual conference. Sat on Executive, Governance, Marketing and National Volunteer Week committees. I founded and over four years chaired the Voluntary Sector Network of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities. As Vice President I helped build VBC's brand, partnerships and annual conference. Sat on Executive, Governance, Marketing and National Volunteer Week committees. I founded and over four years chaired the Voluntary Sector Network of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities.



BC Hockey

• Nanaimo & Saanichton, BC

• Executive Director/Administrator , Vancouver Island/BC

  • 2007 - 2010

  Responsible for Minor Hockey on Vancouver Island and Administration of Hockey programs throughout BC. From high performance playoffs to referee training, our team administered programs in communities throughout the province. Responsible for Minor Hockey on Vancouver Island and Administration of Hockey programs throughout BC. From high performance playoffs to referee training, our team administered programs in communities throughout the province.



People for a Healthy Community

• Gabriola Island, BC

• Executive Director

  • 2005 - 2007

  Over two years I doubled the budget, started the island's first women's safety programs via a strategic partnership, built positive community relations and oversaw the food bank, soup kitchen and education programs. I also provided advice that helped the local 25-acre Gabriola Commons survive. Over two years I doubled the budget, started the island's first women's safety programs via a strategic partnership, built positive community relations and oversaw the food bank, soup kitchen and education programs. I also provided advice that helped the local 25-acre Gabriola Commons survive.



Encorp Pacific (Canada)

• Burnaby, BC

• Chairperson, British Columbia Advisory Committee

  • 2000 - 2005

  Over five years I helped advise ENCORP, BC's first not-for-profit corporation, on their container deposit/return systems in BC; including three years as Chairperson, and also sitting on the Governance Committee. Over five years I helped advise ENCORP, BC's first not-for-profit corporation, on their container deposit/return systems in BC; including three years as Chairperson, and also sitting on the Governance Committee.



Coast Waste Management Association

• Vancouver Island

• Executive Director

  • 1997 - 2004

  At CWMA I raised its profile to the provincial level, doubled membership and negotiated multi-year agreements with regional governments and member businesses. Some of my initiatives included an annual conference, annual safety symposia, reporting on financial resources to recycling best practices, and an award-winning safety video. At CWMA I raised its profile to the provincial level, doubled membership and negotiated multi-year agreements with regional governments and member businesses. Some of my initiatives included an annual conference, annual safety symposia, reporting on financial resources to recycling best practices, and an award-winning safety video.



Recycling Council of B.C.

• Vancouver, BC

• Director

  • 1996 - 2001

  In my first provincial director role, I helped guide RCBC through two crises: a huge reduction of government $ support, and turnover of three Executive Directors. Along the way I instigated the membership committee in order to bolster member benefits. In my first provincial director role, I helped guide RCBC through two crises: a huge reduction of government $ support, and turnover of three Executive Directors. Along the way I instigated the membership committee in order to bolster member benefits.



Our Community Bikes

• Vancouver, BC

• Co Founder / Manager

  • 1991 - 1996

  From concept to function, I co-created this social enterprise offering low to no-cost bicycles to those in need of a ride. For this non-profit retail store and repair/education facility, my role was raising funds, choosing a site, renovating, equipping, marketing; then managing operations until the shop became self-sufficient. OCB continues today, modernized yet in keeping with its original vision. From concept to function, I co-created this social enterprise offering low to no-cost bicycles to those in need of a ride. For this non-profit retail store and repair/education facility, my role was raising funds, choosing a site, renovating, equipping, marketing; then managing operations until the shop became self-sufficient. OCB continues today, modernized yet in keeping with its original vision.