Co-Hosts

Ian Bird, President & CEO, Community Foundations of Canada 

“Leadership comes in many shapes and sizes. In some cases, an individual will take the lead and make something happen in a moment of crisis or opportunity. Organizations also play a leadership role, of course, carving out an expertise and the commitment of many to a common goal, often bound together by a sense of belonging. So too with communities, as we see so often during difficult times or when a celebration is on hand.

But there are occasions when individual, organizational and community leadership comes up short, when the challenges to be faced are so complex and interwoven that no one response by one particular group is sufficient. In those times, it is the contributions of many individuals, many organizations and many communities that make the difference, when a sense of shared responsibility ensures a way for everyone to bring their ideas and efforts together. For me, that’s what the Summit is about and it’s why so many of us are coming out and supporting this common effort; not because we want something in return but because there is an opportunity to contribute and to have that contribution go farther, together, than it could on its own.”

Al Hatton, President & CEO, United Way Centraide Canada

“It is United Way Centraide Canada’s honour to co-host Imagine Canada’s National Summit this November in Ottawa.  

Tackling complex social issues is very daunting even in good times. Given the unsettling economic and global challenges confronting societies today, the timing of this Summit is most important. It is more critical than ever for the Canadian voluntary sector to come together to find common cause, and for our value and values to be better understood and appreciated by Canadians.

Imagine Canada is uniquely positioned to bring the Canadian nonprofit sector together to help us articulate an action plan to drive progress in priority areas identified by sector leaders and organizations.

I am particularly excited by the focus on attracting young leaders and providing a forum for their energy and perspective to influence the emerging agenda.

My hope is that we dream big and work diligently together to bring about meaningful, positive change to shape a better Canada.”

Marcel Lauzière, President & CEO, Imagine Canada

“Over the last two years, as part of an initiative called “A National Engagement Strategy”, we have had the privilege of facilitating a nation-wide conversation with charities and nonprofits about the major issues and trends facing the sector in Canada and helped to identify sector-wide priorities for collective action in the years ahead. Through community conversations and forums organized with partners all over the country, we collectively identified, validated and prioritised those challenges. The Summit will be key opportunity to roll up our sleeves and make real progress on these challenges.

Collective action couldn`t come at a better time for the sector. Whether matters of human resources, funding, volunteerism and external talent or a better understanding of the sector, the issues charities and nonprofits grapple with on a daily basis can be downright overwhelming. For these challenges to be dealt with effectively, a collective and unified voice seems the logical route. It is only by working together that we will see real change. I look forward to working with you at the National Summit in November 2011.”

Hilary Pearson, President & CEO, Philanthropic Foundations Canada

“This is a world, and an environment, in which our problems seem more complex, the risks greater and the challenges of managing through the turbulence more pressing than ever before. For us in the community sector, in the face of these challenges, it is clear that we must do more and better to achieve our goal of advancing the public good of our society. But more than ever, we have the opportunity to work together rather than alone, to look at our challenges collectively and to practice collaborative problem-solving. This is what the National Summit for the Charitable and NonProfit Sector is all about. The co-hosts of this Summit are eager to signal the importance of collaboration and joint effort. People and organizations across the sector have chosen four clear priorities for us to work on together. We have a compelling opportunity to commit, individually and together, to action on this agenda of essential issues. It is my hope that we will go forward from this Summit with renewed energy to act for our community, and to do so in a way that will create promising and effective partnerships with leaders of the business community and the public sector everywhere in Canada. At this Summit we are building our capacity to navigate through change, with the help of the young leaders who will take our sector forward into the future.”