From Learning to Leading: Leadership Vancouver Island's Impactful Community Projects

Leadership Vancouver Island (LVI) is a community-focused, values-based leadership development program that aims to inspire and build capacity for outstanding leadership, learning, and service. The West Coast chapter is focused on the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Region and its communities. The purpose of LVI is to foster leadership development, raise community awareness, and build innovative communities. 

LVI is a regional program coordinated and administered by the CBT and guided by a special committee composed of representatives from across the region. LVI is a program recognized by Vancouver Island University and guided by local leaders in government, business, and non-profit organizations.

Since 2012, LVI has evolved to become a unique and effective leadership development experience, and the West Coast chapter has tailored a unique approach for West Coast communities. The CBT coordinates and administers LVI on behalf of the region to grow local leaders, provide local educational opportunities, and develop cross-community and cross-cultural connections. 

A cornerstone of the program is the applied community leadership projects. Over the course of nine months, participants collaborate in teams to design and implement real-world projects that align with the program’s core leadership development areas. These hands-on experiences allow participants to apply their skills in a meaningful way while addressing local needs. Each team identifies a focus area, connects with a community partner, and develops a proposal, often seeking sponsorship or additional support to bring their ideas to life.

Below, you’ll find the community projects developed by the 2024–2025 cohort. Take a look and be inspired by the leadership in action across our region.

Team ʔiisaak

Coming Together Forum

The Coastal Family Resource Coalition will host its 11th Coming Together Forum on May 7, 2025, at the Ucluelet Community Centre. Held every two years, this regional event unites service providers, decision-makers, and community members to plan collaboratively around child, youth, senior, Elder, and family health services. The forum includes keynote speakers, panels, and breakout sessions focused on improving health services on the West Coast of Vancouver Island.

Register for this FREE event: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/coming-together-forum-tickets-1294036280349

To learn more, visit coastalfamilyresources.ca or contact coordinator@coastalcoalition.ca

Team Driftwood Dreamers

Youth Spring Activity Day

We are the Driftwood Dreamers, a group formed through Leadership Vancouver Island in partnership with the Ucluelet Aquarium, Ucluelet Secondary School, Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ First Nation, Redd Fish Society and the Historical Society.

Driftwood Dreamers Vision:

To engage local youth in a springtime activity day. We invite youth to join us for an inclusive wonder quest that sends them to four diverse stations with local Knowledge Keepers and organizations as we host a fun and inspiring activity! Stations will be located in central Ucluelet, and we will finish off together with a traditional Salmon BBQ by Jason Sam under the Gazebo at Big Beach.

Team Ripple Makers

It Takes a Village

A team of four students in the Leadership Vancouver Island program – a leadership skill-building program facilitated through the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust (CBT) and Vancouver Island University (VIU) – are working in conjunction with the Tofino Chamber of Commerce to bridge the data gap around volunteerism and the barriers that exist between non-profit organizations and potential volunteers (i.e.: the general public).

Through research and tailored questionnaires developed with local organizations in Tofino and Ucluelet with the Outer Coast network (a group of art & culture-based non-profit organizations collaborating), the team, dubbed the Ripple Makers, aims to uncover what drives and deters volunteerism and engagement in the Pacific Rim. These findings will address key concerns and enhance volunteer culture in the community. The hope is that this data will also be used to inform a new volunteering position board through the Tofino Chamber of Commerce platform, Chamber Master, and enhance grant application credibility with qualitative data.

Team Four1

Mini Mariners Learning Package

Four1, a team from Leadership Vancouver Island, is excited to announce progress on the Mini Mariners Learning Package, a community-based project focused on empowering youth with marine safety, local biology, and cultural knowledge.

We are currently on track with our planning and have been actively engaging community partners to shape a meaningful and impactful program. While we have not yet begun creating the learning materials, strong partnerships and planning efforts are setting the foundation for success.

Stay tuned for more updates as we dive into development!