Email Bulletin Archives

Email Bulletin - December 20, 2007

Happy holidays! In this email bulletin from the Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations you will find resources and news items for and about the voluntary sector.

CCVO News and Events

Event: Is it time for Sector Standards? – Jan. 16 morning

CCVO and Imagine Canada are providing an opportunity for you to learn about and provide feedback on potential new standards for charities and nonprofits. Learn more and register.

Event: training on the T3010A charity return – Jan. 22 evening

As part of The Charities File project, CCVO is offering another free training session for charity staff and volunteers who complete the T3010A annual return. Learn more and register.

CCVO Policy Series event to watch for: Paul and Hal are back!

Paul McLoughlin and Hal Danchilla are returning in late January with their updated session The Provincial Government Inside Out, a timely and lively overview of the landscape in Alberta politics. The session sold out quickly last year, with highly positive evaluations. It’s ideal for nonprofit leaders, board members, and staff who work in government relations or policy. Watch for details and registration in CCVO’s next Email Bulletin.

CCVO holiday closures; schedule changes for the Online Job Centre

Happy holidays everyone! Our office is closed from Dec. 24 - Jan. 1.  The Online Job Centre will be updated on Dec. 21 and Jan. 2, and then return to its usual schedule of Tuesday and Friday updates.

Government News

Lobbyists Act crosses the finish line

It's official! The Lobbyists Act – including the nonprofit exemption – has received Royal Assent and will come into force “on proclamation” (a date still to be determined by the government). Your staff, Board members and volunteers are all exempt from registering under Bill 1, so long as your nonprofit is NOT constituted to serve management, union or professional interests and does not have a majority of members that are profit-seeking enterprises. There are different rules if you hire a consultant lobbyist. Again, we encourage you to thank MLAs for truly hearing the sector’s concerns and taking action to address them in a meaningful way. For inspiration, view CCVO’s letter.

Canada's nonprofit sector accounted for more than 2.5% of GDP in 2004
Statistics Canada’s Satellite Account of Nonprofit Institutions and Volunteering shows that in 2004, the core nonprofit sector accounted for 2.5% of Canada’s economic activity as measured by gross domestic product, or GDP. This is more than the agriculture industry as well as the accommodation and food services industry. Including hospitals, universities and colleges, the nonprofit GDP totals 6.9% – and that still does not include the financial value of 2 billion volunteer hours. Many nonprofits have expressed their support for sustained government funding for the Satellite Account and the Canada Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating. Minister Jim Prentice indicated his interest in hearing from nonprofits about the importance and use of this research. We’re pleased to share CCVO’s letter on this topic.  

Funding / Donations

Funding from Alberta Sport Recreation Parks & Wildlife Foundation 

The Development Initiatives Program grant supports projects and programs in the areas of sport, recreation, parks and wildlife. Grants typically range up to $5,000. Apply by Jan. 1, or by May 1 for the next round of funding.

Social Venture Partners’ Grant – apply by Jan. 11

Social Venture Partners (SVP) Calgary will select a Calgary charity for a multi-year financial investment. The charity must engage at-risk children or youth (particularly immigrant, ESL and Aboriginal people) through community-based recreation, art, education or mentoring programs.

Philanthropic Success Stories

Through conversations with philanthropy experts across Canada, an Imagine Canada study gathers a wide array of impressions and examples of what philanthropy (including donations of all sizes and gifts of time and spirit) has contributed the country and the world.

Funding nonprofits is a wise investment

Using case studies of nonprofit activities in the Washington, DC, Beyond Charity: Recognizing Return on Investment highlights how nonprofits contribute to the economy through reducing costs (ie: through preventing and solving problems), leveraging assets and strengthening communities.

Volunteers

Free website with legal information for and about volunteers

Volunteers and the Law in Alberta is a free, interactive website providing an overview of the various areas of law relating to Board members and volunteers.  Topics include Board responsibilities, screening, confidentiality, legal status, special care, insurance, human rights issues, and more.

Half of baby boomers plan to volunteer after retirement
When the Bank of Montreal asked baby boomers to rank activities that would most appeal at age 62, 49% made volunteering their first or second choice. Of the boomers who do not currently volunteer, 38% said they intend to do so after retirement.

Human Resources

Reminder - New Website resource for the Calgary HR Initiative: Employing New Ideas

As part of the Calgary Human Resources Initiative that CCVO is leading, we launched a new section on our website with resources, tools and information related to attracting, developing and retaining employees. What’s New: nonprofits can participate in an Organizational Change project with MBA students from the Haskayne School of Business.

Nonprofit Leadership Report Released

A new report from the Nonprofit Congress reviews 12 leadership programs in the US, providing a sample of networks, fellowships and workshops. 

Corporate Giving

Corporate Community Investment Extravaganza for businesses and nonprofits

On Feb. 7 in Calgary, Imagine Canada is hosting interactive sessions for businesses (on raising community investment programs to the next level), seminars for nonprofits (on the realities and motivations of corporate giving) and joint sessions for everyone. CCVO member nonprofits receive a discount. Learn more and register.

Unions ask government to re-instate funding for women’s organizations

Several major unions are providing financial support to women’s research and advocacy organizations, including the Child Care Advocacy Association and the National Association of Women and the Law, and are asking government to reinstate funding that was cut last year. 

Online Job Centre

To see job descriptions or to post a job online, visit our popular online job centre

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Are you a CCVO Member yet?

90% of CCVO members surveyed would recommend membership to others. Benefits include discounts on job postings and educational events, printed publications, members-only events and the chance to network and support policy work and research. Contact Janet Lavoie at 261-6655.

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CCVO – Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations

STRONG VOICE . STRONG CONNECTIONS .  POSITIVE CHANGE