“The National Summit for the Charitable and Nonprofit Sector, co-hosted by Imagine Canada, Community Foundations of Canada, Philanthropic Foundations Canada and the United Way Centraide Canada, brought together a network of more than 500 sector leaders in our nation’s capital from November 28 to 30. Everyone rolled up their sleeves to focus on some of the most important sector related issues. Delegates, speakers and all involved couldn’t ignore the buzz and excitement that permeated the event over those three days.”

Read the full post at Blog@ImagineCanada

Priority #1: Improved conditions for the attraction and retention of paid staff

Trina Isakson

My hopes for Priority #1 (#P1) were reflected in an interview on CBC radio I listened to while I lay awake in my early morning jet-lagged stupor.

The interviewee was an author who rejected so many of the technological norms of today; he didn’t use email or have a website, let alone use Twitter. However, when asked about his views on e-readers and the decline of the printed word he wasn’t critical—he was open-minded. “The same words exist. Just the container is different.”

A different container. When I think about the future of the nonprofit sector and our recruitment and retention needs, I imagine big things. I consider our need as a sector to fulfill our missions in ways that inspire people to get involved and stay involved with our causes, and not just our organizations. I think about how we can build inspiring workplaces and incubate new forms of organizations that function in ways that support the collaborative and technological strengths of the next and now generation of changemakers.

Same missions. Same drive and purpose. Just different containers. Different organizational structures. Different ways of collaborating. Different forms of leadership.

However, as I told people at the summit that I was in #P1, I heard more than once, “Oh, the HR one.”

HR? No, this is bigger than HR. Another ‘young leader’ I met at one of the receptions had the same reaction. “HR? Salary and benefits? Skills training? I wanted to sneak out and join another priority area!”

An interesting quote from a participant in leadership development research conducted by the HR Council for the Nonprofit Sector begins to describe a new ‘container’:

We need to increasingly look at the single leader model…and challenge that assumption of “leader.” We need to move to more shared leadership for organizations.

#P1 area explored the perception of our sector as an employer, challenges with low salaries, difficulties with succession planning, and skills gaps. As a group we addressed the needs of our current ‘container’, but did not challenge the idea our current containers themselves.

These strategies will address current needs of individual organizations of our sector. I look forward to additional forthcoming strategies that address the future of our sector, and the future of individual ‘containers’ that will continue to drive our missions forward.

We want to hear from you!

Young leaders: Does this resonate with you?

Everyone: How do leadership, collaboration, and organizational structure impact your recruitment and retention?

Wendi Campbell

I challenge you to think of an individual or a family in your community who is engaged. Do they volunteer? Do they support community organizations? Do they participate in conversations about community building and change? Do they play a leadership role to bring action to their words?

We all know one of these families. They have made a commitment to community. They include charitable giving in their monthly budgets. They volunteer their time. They put community events on their calendars alongside work functions and family outings. They are adults and children who have made community part of their lifestyle.

There are not many of these families. This is the shift all Canadians need to make to be engaged citizens who are equal partners in community building & improving the quality of life in our country, for our families.

Our dialogue over the past two days has changed our thinking about what the definition of volunteerism is. As the not for profit sector we not only need the helping hands of volunteers, we need engaged community members who can lead the charge. As organizational leaders we need to start thinking of ourselves as Community Engagement Specialists who are having authentic conversations to find opportunities for citizens to help support and achieve the outcomes of our organizations.

Imagine a Canada where more of these families lived in our communities. What impact would it have? More hands, more time, more vision = great change & achievement. Let us also start a local, regional & national dialogue with those who are not currently volunteering. What would it take for you to volunteer? How can we work with you, with your skills, interests, abilities to find an opportunity that you will enjoy, that will help contribute to organizational outcomes that build healthy communities?

So here we are in a session that identifies volunteers as a priority, but our conversations today have made us realize it is more than a conversation – it is a Call to Action.

Guest blogger : Wendi Campbell

Wendi Campbell

It is no surprise to anyone at the Summit that volunteers are an integral part of the work we do. They are a direct link to achieving the missions of our organizations and for many of us part of our mandate to engage community in our work.

So here we are in a session that identifies volunteers as a priority, but our conversations today have made us realize it is more than a conversation – it is a Call to Action. It is time to engage in community partnerships, engage with youth and enhance the impact of our work through strong volunteer supports.

We know from the National Survey of Giving & Volunteering that we are working with a small segment of the

Volunteers

society who currently volunteer. We know that we live in a county, in communities where there is a significant talent pool. So our objective is engaging the abundance of talent – new volunteers – to deliver our missions.

Simple? (or not) We heard from the panel today about the tendency for organizations to create “round hole roles” for a changing volunteer base that is made up of “square pegs”. Both types of roles are important but we also need to ensure that we are also reacting to the needs of our volunteers and be willing to work outside of our defined roles and what we think we need (or what we think we can manage) Are we limiting how we can engage talent because of the processes we have developed in our organizations? Groups here today are discussing the need to be a shift away from traditional volunteerism to a model of community/civic engagement.

2017 headline?

The concept of integrated HR was a great point of discussion at our table (wondering if Priority Group # 1 would like to stop by for coffee?) It takes staff and volunteers to deliver services. Our strategic planning processes need to include both and our HR practices need to have some crossover to treat our volunteers the same as paid staff – as valuable members of our teams. We also need to look at the culture organizations and ensure that it includes youth & diversity to reflect all areas of talent potential.

Now the big question – What will volunteerism look like in Canada in 2017?

Guest blogger : Shone Abet Thistle

Shone Abet Thistle

I have found that many a great experience begins with a warm welcome, and if the meshmixer and welcome reception are any indication of the dialogue, passion, creative spirit and social action to come out of the National Summit then we are in for a great experience.

Delegates from coast to coast (Vancouver to PEI in my conversations alone) converged on the Delta Ottawa City Centre for a meet and greet put on by local networking group MESH, a network for young nonprofit professionals in the national capital region.

View from the penthouse during the meshmixer

Conversation around the room ranged from curiousity and passion about the four priority areas, to young leaders engaged in making new connections with other individuals and agencies nation wide. Two things seem clear to me right off the bat, we all desire to make a meaningful, professional and powerful difference in our communities (most, if not all, already are) and we all see the challenges ahead. Enter Ralph Marston – “Welcome those big, sticky, complicated problems. In them are your most powerful opportunites.”

Over the next two days, I look forward to further connections, to the churning of our most complicated challenges and to discovering how we might turn these into our most power opportunities.

Networking during the meshmixer

Watch and participate in the Blog as National Summit Media Crew attempt to capture conversations and actions plans as they unfold. Join the twitter action by using hashtags: #NSC, #P1, #P2, #P3, #P4.

Thank you to MESH for a terrific welcome and to event sponsors MacKenzie Financial, and conference hosts: Community Foundations of Canada, Imagine Canada, and United Way of Canada.

Guest blogger : Amanda Mayer

Amanda Mayer

It is critical that Canada have a strong, vibrant charitable sector – one that continues its important, often critical work, in creating and improving the quality of life in our country and globally. That goal requires public support, and in forms that go well beyond financial contributions. In turn, obtaining strong public support requires a greater awareness of what we are, of how large we are, of what we do and of how each of your organizations works daily – often in difficult situations – to serve people across this country and around the world.

students {verb} charities

To help meet that goal the Muttart Foundation in partnership with Imagine Canada have announced on awesome contest: Students (Verb) Charities, launching in January 2012. They are turning to the bright, creative, passionate future leaders of Canada (those who are now attending universities, collegues, technical institutes and polythecniques) to come up with a new and innovative ways of increasing public awareness of the charitable sector.

The contest rules are flexible – allowing students to use whatever vehicles they wish to deliver their message. The messages developed need to reflect that charities exist in every community in this country. That the small charities are every bit as important as the largest. That no matter what the field of endeavour – health, the arts, the environment, social services, education, faith – charities are all in this together, and all for one purpose: to make life better for those they serve.

The challenge is now out there: Come on, students. Show us YOUR stuff! Show us OUR stuff! Use the metaphorical megaphone and shout out the message: Canada’s charities are important to all of us.

Amanda Mayer

Lead, Imagine Canada’s Young Leaders Initiative

Co-Founder, MESH
@amandamayer | about.me

More Information:

Contest website: http://www.studentsverbcharities.ca/en/

Press Release unveiling the national contest, click here.

Video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFlceTp90rw

We encourage you to check the weather forecast prior to packing. While the weather has been wonderfully warm in Ottawa this fall the weather announcer is predicting snow flurries in the coming days. Layers are also recommended as hotel climate zones may fluctuate with more than 500 people in attendance.

When you Arrive

Keep an eye out for the megaphone!

The Hotel

The Delta Ottawa City Centre is undergoing major renovations. The Hotel Entrance is now on Queen Street just around the corner from the construction area at the front of the hotel. When you arrive there will be someone from the hotel to direct you to the National Summit registration area. If staying at the hotel, you will go to the second floor to the hotel registration to check in after registering with us.

Agenda

The conference program with the full schedule will be in your delegate bags. You’ll need to register to get your bag. However, if you wish to check the schedule before arriving you can visit the National Summit website which will contain the most up-to-date schedule information.

Who is coming?

Those coming together at the Summit are a curious lot. It’s no wonder that we all want to know who else is coming. In response to the numerous requests from participants, we have made available a participant list which includes those who agreed upon registration to have their names shared.

All about Monday

All about Tuesday

All about Wednesday

And Lastly…

Contacting National Summit Staff and fellow Participants

As of Monday morning the organizing staff for the Summit will be onsite. If you need to reach a staff member on Monday please call Brenda at (613) 238-7555, ext. 236. For the duration of the Summit please leave messages for staff at the Registration/Information desk. Staff members will endeavour to get back to you as quickly as they can. To connect with fellow participants, you may post an open message on the board next to the Registration/Information desk. It will be up to each participant to monitor this board. If you know a participant is staying at the conference hotel you may also leave messages for them at the Delta Ottawa City Centre check-in desk or by calling 1-613-237-3600.

You will need to pick up your registration package before heading to the reception. Your conference badge will be required to join the reception. On top of that, your complimentary ticket for a drink at the reception will be with your badge. If you are arriving Tuesday morning, registration will open at 7:15am.

Monday Night Opening Reception

The opening night reception will take place on the penthouse level between 5:00 and 7:00pm. The announcement of the Public Awareness Contest will be at approximately 6:00pm. You will receive a drink ticket with your badge and hors d’oeuvres will be served. A cash bar will be available after your complimentary drink ticket has been used.

Blind Date Dinners

National Summit participants who are up for a “blind date” with participants from other parts of the country or other sub-sectors are invited to sign up for dinner at one of the restaurants we have identified below. Registrations for the dinners are on a first-come, first-served basis. Register for your Blind Date here.

Blind Date Restaurants

Menus and price ranges are available by clicking on the links provided. All reservations have been made for 7:15pm.

• Baton Rouge | 360 Albert Street | batonrougerestaurants.com 
• D’Arcy McGees | 44 Sparks Street | ottawa.darcymcgees.com 
• Empire Grill | 47 Clarence | empiregrill.com 
• Fresco | 354 Elgin Street | frescobistro.ca 
• Green Papaya | 246 Queen Street | greenpapaya.ca 
• Johnny Farina’s | 216 Elgin Street | johnnyfarina.com
• Metropolitan | 700 Sussex Drive | metropolitainbrasserie.com 
• Mysticko | 281 Kent Street | mystikogreekkitchen.com 
• The Grand | 74 George Street | thegrandpizzeria.com

On Monday evening, participants are asked to make their own way to the restaurants on foot or by taxi and to ask for the National Summit reservation. Those who prefer to make their own dinner plans are welcome to do so, but all are encouraged to network rather than head back to their rooms to do more work.

The National Summit is a bilingual event. Several of the speakers and all of the facilitators will speak in both official languages. Unless you understand easily both English and French you will need to pick up a simultaneous interpretation device on Tuesday morning, before the Summit begins. You will also be required to leave a piece of ID (credit card and/or driver’s licence) that will be returned to you when you return your device at the end of each day.

His Excellency, the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada

With participation by the Governor General comes protocol. You must have your name badge on and be in your seat by 8:40am on Tuesday morning. At that point the doors will be closed and no one else will be allowed into the room. Should you exit the room after 8:40am, you will not be allowed back in the room until after the Governor General’s session is concluded at 10am. Make sure you set your alarm clock early to allow enough time. A full breakfast will be available between 7:30 and 8:30am.

The Priority Working Sessions

Each participant has chosen a PRIORITY to work on over the course of the two days at the National Summit. Colour coded badges will indicate a particular priority area. Participants will need to show their name badges as they enter the breakout rooms. The reasons for this are that each of the four priority area sessions are full and the work is intended to build over each working session. Therefore, we ask that you stay within your chosen group as it will not be beneficial to others, or you, if people are trying to move between the sessions. If you are interesting in the other priority areas there will be a recap of the work done by all on Wednesday morning and in the final wrap up. 

Interactive Engagement at the Summit

Participants’ Summit experience will be heightened by the presence of CoVision, a pioneer in the field of group engagement technology consulting. When Summit participants take a seat both in the plenary room and in their break-out rooms for the working sessions on the priorities for action, they will find a laptop at each table through which they will be able to submit questions for the keynote speakers and provide insights gleaned through table conversations. CoVision’s process and technology enables ideas and comments from all table conversations (and from the online participants) to be gathered in real-time, distilled and themed. The technology will also allow the organizing team to capture electronically Summit participants’ input to inform both the final report and the next phase of the National Engagement Strategy. Many thanks to the Agora Foundation for providing the financial support required to bring CoVision to the Summit.

Buses to the National Gallery of Canada Networking Dinner

A stand-up networking dinner will take place at the National Gallery on Tuesday evening from 6:00 to 9:30pm. Buses will depart from the temporary entrance to the hotel on Queen Street as of 5:45pm and will continue every 5 minutes to 6:15pm. If the weather cooperates, some colleagues may also choose to walk. The National Gallery is located at 380 Sussex Drive (approximately a 20 minute walk). Buses will depart from the National Gallery and back to the Summit hotel between 8:45 and 9:15pm.