09/16/2026
Dear CFIC Volunteers,
I am very pleased to announce the launch of the CFIC Volunteer Academy—a new weekly Zoom gathering open to all CFIC volunteers across Canada.
Participation is entirely optional. You are welcome to attend regularly or simply join whenever the topic interests you and your schedule permits. I believe these sessions will provide real value to our volunteers while giving you a greater voice in CFIC and more opportunities to participate in our work.
If you would like to attend but the scheduled time does not work for you, the sessions will be recorded and made available afterward. You can register even if you cannot attend live, and we will send you a link to the recording.
My name is John Lombard, and I am the new Executive Director of CFIC. I have more than two decades of experience as a trainer and coach, with a particular focus on developing leadership and organizational skills.
My goal is to make the Volunteer Academy much more than another weekly meeting. It will be a practical forum where volunteers can develop useful skills, learn about CFIC’s activities, exchange ideas, support one another, and contribute directly to the growth and direction of our organization.
Each session will include some combination of the following:
Training
We will provide practical training on topics such as organizing successful events, promoting and advertising events, recruiting participants, developing local volunteer teams, and choosing activities that appeal to different audiences.
Upcoming Events
We will introduce and discuss upcoming CFIC events across Canada. This is one of the most exciting aspects of the Volunteer Academy: even when an event is taking place on the other side of the country, you can still contribute ideas about how it should be organized, what activities it might include, and how it can be promoted.
If you are organizing or hosting an event, you will also be able to draw upon the ideas, experience, and support of volunteers from across Canada.
New Volunteer-Led Events
If you have an idea for an event that you would like to organize, we want to help you make it happen. You can present your idea, receive suggestions from other volunteers, learn from people who have organized similar events, and get practical guidance from CFIC.
You do not need to arrive with a fully developed plan. Even a preliminary idea can be brought to the group for discussion.
Volunteer Participation and Collaboration
The Academy will also give volunteers an opportunity to:
• Meet and learn from volunteers in other parts of Canada
• Share successful ideas and experiences
• Ask questions and seek advice
• Suggest training topics and new initiatives
• Learn more about CFIC’s national activities and priorities
• Become more directly involved in CFIC’s work
Our volunteers are essential to CFIC’s success. If we are going to expand our reach and impact across Canada, we need volunteers to be an integral part of planning, organizing, and carrying out that work. The Volunteer Academy is intended to help make that possible.
Our first session will be an introductory session, and will take place:
Date: Friday, Sept. 18, 2026
Time: 4 pm PST; 7 pm EST
Duration: 1 hour
To participate, please register here: https://centreforinquiry.ca/cfic-volunteer-academy-zoom-registration/
You may register even if you cannot attend the live session. Everyone who registers will receive a link to the recording afterward.
Thank you for everything you contribute to CFIC. I look forward to meeting you and working with you through the CFIC Volunteer Academy.
Best regards,
John Lombard
Executive Director
Centre for Inquiry Canada
