Running head: POWER TO BE

Agency Profile – Power To Be

Sasha Tompkins
Shanne McCaffrey
May 31, 2021
CYC311 A01
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Supervisor
Agency: Power To Be
Practicum Supervisor: Paul Blood – paulblood@powertobe.ca
Student: Sasha Tompkins – sashatompkins27@gmail.com

Power To Be (PTB)
Based in Victoria and Vancouver, Power To Be is a non-profit organization that believes
everyone belongs in nature. Power To Be believe finances shouldn’t prevent anyone from
accessing nature, and they work to remove cognitive, physical, and social barriers to the
outdoors, supporting participants to explore who they are and what they are capable of
with the support of the staff, volunteers, and each other.

Power To Be runs many services and programs including adaptive recreation-

individuals, adaptive recreation- community programs, wilderness school, family roots
and activity libraries.
In 2019, Power To Be delivered 470 programs in nature to over 1,400 participants,
offering inspirational opportunities to paddle, surf, camp, hike, climb, and explore. 
Power To Be had a total of 7563 volunteer hours, equivalent to 945 working days in
2019.

Mission statement
“WE REMOVE BARRIERS AND CREATE ACCESS TO NATURE”.
“From hiking and kayaking, to camping and snowshoeing, we create access to nature for
youth, families and adults living with cognitive, physical, financial, and social barriers.
Our life-changing programs redefine courage, hope, inclusion, and ability” (n.d.).

Power To Be referrers to all individuals engaging in their services as participants.

Within CYC, this mission statement reflects on values of CYC being person centered,
strength based, and inclusion. With PTB and their programs they allow everyone the
empowerment and opportunity to make and accomplish their own goals and explore
nature at their pace.

Wilderness School
The program I am focusing on is Wilderness School (WS). Wilderness School is a three-
year, gender-inclusive program for youth. Monthly weekend trips and multi-day summer
excursions lead participants around Vancouver Island with outdoor adventures like
hiking, surfing, kayaking, camping, and snowshoeing – and encourage families to
participate and share in the experience, too. With Covid-19 these programs have shifted
to online and just this month have been running day programs, exploring their 78-ache
land safely and together.

In WS, individuals engaged in this program are referred to as participants, occasionally as

youth, depending on the situation. Typical participants in the Wilderness School support
youth living with financial and/or social barriers at home and at school. The intake

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process begins in Grade 8; commitment to and participation in the program lasts three
years, until the end of Grade 10, helping youth build strong relationships and
interpersonal skills within an intimate group of peers.
The number of participants vary in a cohort, usually 8-12 individuals.

Emergency Procedures
Emergency Procedures are located in our Emergency Response Manual 2019 (1) (2),
Located in our Operations section of SharePoint documents.
Please refer to Appendix (B).
file:///Users/sashatompkins/Documents/Emergency%20Response%20Plan.pdf

Through individual learning and exploring SharePoint documents I have been trained to
execute these plans.

Reporting Methods
 Power To Be staff is required to document and maintain records in sufficient detail
to track the sequence and nature of services rendered to participants, including but
not limited to logbook entries, case notes and incident reports.
 Volunteers can report incidents or complaints of bullying and harassment verbally
or in writing as soon as possible after experiencing or witnessing an incident. This
allows the incident to be investigated and addressed promptly. Report any incidents
or complaints to the VSC/PSS, Director of Finance and Operations, or any Power
To Be staff member who you are directly working with
 Report concerning online behavior: If you see a concerning post, comment, visual or
other form of content related to Power To Be, notify the VSC, PSS, BAA or a
member of the Management Team.

 Volunteers must report all incidents to available staff. An incident includes an

accident or other occurrence which resulted in or had the potential for causing an
injury. Volunteers who suffer an injury at work must immediately seek medical first
aid and arrange for completion of the First Aid Report available from any staff
person

 Please see Appendix (A) for an example of an incident report.

Professional conduct
 The first six consecutive months of the volunteer’s active engagement constitutes
a probationary period during which the organization shall have the opportunity to
assess the suitability of the individual’s performance and conduct.
 Performance and conduct during the performance probationary period shall be
assessed, primarily (but not necessarily exclusively) on the following: quality,
completeness, productivity, efficiency, attendance, overall character, judgment,
dedication, conduct, attitude, professionalism, and potential for growth. At the
end of the probationary period, a meeting or phone check in may be scheduled

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with the volunteer to evaluate the extent to which the objectives of both Power To
Be and the volunteer are being met.
 All Power To Be staff and volunteers must understand and conduct themselves in
accordance with the guidelines set forth in the ethical code of conduct when
working or doing work-related activities in the community. Staff relationships
with stakeholders, and especially participants, are essential to the success of this
organization and therefore staff must always conduct themselves professionally
which includes being ethical, respectful, and competent. Failure to do so may
have serious impacts on the lives of participants and relationships with
stakeholders and may be grounds for disciplinary action or dismissal.
 Power To Be staff and volunteers are obligated to use discretion and ensure that
any physical conduct is appropriate and in the best interests of their participants.
 Power To Be does not permit sexual behavior between participants at any time on
program. Staff is required to ensure a pro-social group dynamic that discourages
inappropriate sexualized conversations, actions, and social media relationships
among participants
 Power To Be does not permit the possession or use of drugs or alcohol on
programs. Staff and volunteers support a pro-social group dynamic that
discourages inappropriate conversations regarding drugs, alcohol and tobacco use.
 All staff and participants are required to have on file all the appropriate
paperwork including acknowledgement of risk, medical, confidentiality
agreement, code of conduct and other administrative forms

Policy Manual

List of Power To Be policies and procedures to which the Privacy Policy applies:

Approved Policies:

 Employee Handbook
 Volunteer Handbook

 Participant Protection Policy

 Donor Recognition Policy

 Gift Acceptance Policy

 Financial Controls

Other Governance Documents:

 Board of Directors Code of Conduct

 Website Privacy Policy Statement (attached below)

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Code of Ethics

The Power To Be Way

Participant Protection Policies

5-B Ethical conduct

Power To Be staff and volunteers must uphold the ethical principles of conduct as
outlined in the Power To Be Ethical Code of Conduct Agreement. Further, staff and
volunteers are to be sensitive to the profound social responsibility they have to ensure the
health and safety of participants.

See Section 5-B of the Power To Be Way Participant Protection Procedures.

3-B Collecting and safeguarding personal information

In accordance with PIPA, Power To Be may collect, use or disclose personal information
only for a purpose that is consented to or that a reasonable person would consider
appropriate in the circumstances. In addition, the purposes for which the personal
information is being collected must be identified during or prior to the collection and
participant consent is required.

Further, Power To Be staff and volunteers must respect the right of participants to decide
the extent to which confidential material is made public and may not disclose personal
information except in accordance with the following limits to confidentiality:

See Section 3-B of the Power To Be Way Participant Protection Procedures available on
PTB website referenced below.

Funding And Governance

Power To Be is a not-for-profit organization which receives their funding through:
 Major supports
 Volunteers
 Donations
 Service partners
 Fundraising events

See website for further details: https://powertobe.ca/our-supporters/

Community
Power To Be began in 1998 with an idea: help people living with a disability or barrier
access nature. The idea grew into a community, connecting participants to adventures and
supporters to opportunities, collectively redefining our definition of ability.

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PTB believes that physical activity and time outdoors is paramount to health and
happiness. “Without nature, we miss out on some of life’s most wonderful and
transformative experiences and opportunities to broaden personal horizons. We exist
today because, without Power To Be, people living with a barrier would be less likely to
regain their nature literacy and be inspired to live meaningful lives” (n.d.).

Employees
Please see attached website for staff and their titles: https://powertobe.ca/our-team/

Leadership and Team Structure

Power To Be is a passionate, collaborative team, driven by a shared commitment to the
community. With their combined experience and love for the outdoors, the staff supports
the participants day in and day out to deliver the best possible adventures they can
experience, while connecting the community and changing the definition of ability.

PTB’s values are

 Integrity
 Play
 Adventure
 Gratitude
 Diversity & Inclusion
 The Environment

Professional Qualifications
If you love the outdoors and helping others, Power To Be looks for passionate individuals
who believe in the power of community and collaboration to create lasting change
Power To Be strives to employee individuals with different skill sets and educational
backgrounds. Depending on the job, outdoor/people experience are important to them.

Commitments to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action

How PTB is involved in TRC’s Calls to Action (2015):

Professional Development and Training for Public Servants

57. We call upon federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments to provide
education to public servants on the history of Aboriginal peoples, including the history
and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of
Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal–
Crown relations. This will require skills-based training in intercultural competency,
conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.
PTB acknowledges the land we work and play on, with respect to the peoples and
their history of the land. Before any event or activity that is held, this acknowledgement

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is always made. PTB continues to educate their staff, participants, and volunteers on
Indigenous peoples and cultural competency and anti-racism.

Sports and Reconciliation

89. We call upon the federal government to amend the Physical Activity and Sport Act to
support reconciliation by ensuring that policies to promote physical activity as a
fundamental element of health and well-being, reduce barriers to sports participation,
increase the pursuit of excellence in sport, and build capacity in the Canadian sport
system, are inclusive of Aboriginal peoples
PTB includes any person, race, age, religion, and need within their programs and
reduces any barriers there may be. Programs are held mostly outdoors in respect to the
land and acknowledgement of the history and traditional life that Indigenous Peoples
continue to create.

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References

Power To Be. (n.d.). https://powertobe.ca/

Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. (2015). Truth and Reconciliation

Commission of Canada: Calls to Action. trc.ca.
http://trc.ca/assets/pdf/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf.

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Appendix

(A) Reporting Method

Major Incident Report

Program:
Program Date(s):
Program Location: Activity:
Leaders on Program:
Volunteers on Program:

Others Involved:

Incident Details
Incident Date: Time: _____:_____ am/pm
Incident Location:

Lat and Long: Chart/Map Reference:

Weather:-Clear -Overcast -Cloudy -Rain -Snow -Fog -Other:
________ Temperature: _________ degrees Celsius Wind: _________ knots
_________kmph
Terrain: or Sea State:

Patient Info
Name:
Gender: Age: circle: Staff / Volunteer / Participant / Other
Name of Staff giving primary care:

Type of Incident:
Injury:  Illness:  Behaviour: 
Did the victim leave the field? No  Yes  If yes, on what date?
__________________
Evacuation method: walk/paddle unassisted, stretcher, vehicle, boat, heli, other:_____
Did the victim visit a medical facility? No  Yes 

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If yes, what facility? ___________________________________ Duration of stay:

_________
Was there damage to equipment, vehicle or property? No  Yes 
If yes, describe:
______________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________
________________

Type of Injury (if applicable)

Describe injury:

Anatomical location of injury:

Mechanism of injury:

Attach a copy or photo of the Patient Care Record for more details
Type of Illness (if applicable)
Describe illness:

Generalized effect or Localized – area:

Duration of illness: Previous occurrences:
Attach a copy or photo of the Patient Care Record for more details

Type of Behaviour (if applicable)

Describe behaviour:

Triggers observed:

Duration of behaviour: Previous occurrences:

The Incident
Provide a detailed description of the incident including a timeline, and events leading
up to the onset of the incident. What, how and when it happened, any medical
treatment, the final medical outcome diagnosis, or behaviour management strategies
used. (*attach an additional page if more space is required)

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Were the weather conditions, terrain, and/or sea state relevant to the incident? If yes,
please describe the relevance.

Informed On Call Time Date Staff Initial:

___:___AM/PM
Informed Participant’s
Emergency Contact Time Date Staff Initial:
___:___AM/PM

Medical treatment given and treatment plan. Please include a timeline.

Witnesses
Name of Witness 1:
Gender: Age: circle: Staff / Volunteer / Participant / Other
Contact details:
How was the witness involved before, during, and after the incident?

Summarize relevant comments made by the witness if direct statement is unavailable.

Name of Witness 2:
Gender: Age: circle: Staff / Volunteer / Participant / Other
Contact details:
How was the witness involved before, during, and after the incident?

Summarize relevant comments made by the witness if direct statement is unavailable.

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Lessons Learned?

Follow Up Procedures Date Completed Initial once complete

Please also: - attach a copy or photo of the Patient Care Record

- attach any photographs or drawings/diagrams (if applicable)
- review Log Book entries and attach copies (if applicable)

Form Completed by:

Staff: ______________________________ Signature: __________________________
Date: ___________

Reviewer Comments:

Form Reviewed by:

Risk Management Coordinator: ______________ Signature: ________________ Date:
_________
Program Manager: ____________________________ Signature: ________________
Date: _________
Director of Programs: _________________________ Signature: ________________
Date: _________

(B) Emergency Response Plan

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