Email Bulletin Archives

Email Bulletin - December 6, 2007

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

New Website resource for Calgary HR Initiative: Employing New Ideas

As part of the Calgary HR Initiative that CCVO is leading, we have launched a full new section on our website with resources, tools and information related to attracting, developing and retaining great employees – specifically in the nonprofit sector!

MBA students available for organizational change projects in nonprofits

The Calgary HR Initiative has developed a unique opportunity for nonprofits to participate in an Organizational Change project through a partnership with the the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary. Teams of MBA students are looking for organizations to work with from mid-January to mid-April. Learn more or contact Mike Grogan at 261-6655.

Save the Date: session on potential nonprofit sector standards – Jan. 16 morning

CCVO and Imagine Canada are providing an opportunity for you to meet with colleagues and to learn about and provide feedback on potential new standards for the sector in areas such as governance and human resources. Watch for more details on this Jan. 16 event.

CCVO 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 are responsible to complete the T3010A annual return. Learn more and register.

Government News

The Lobbyists Act passes; now awaiting Royal Assent

Bill 1, the Lobbyists Act, has passed in the Legislature – including the exemption for nonprofits serving the public good. The Bill is now awaiting Royal Assent, which should happen quite soon. The government website states: “After hearing concerns from the not-for-profit sector, government chose to exempt those charities and organizations that serve the public interest. It was felt that capturing these organizations was not the intent of establishing a registry in the first place. This means those organizations will not have to register their employees and directors as lobbyists.”  Visit CCVO’s website for details, or contact Robyn Crawford with any comments or questions.

New website resource for charities

A new website from The Charities File project provides extensive resources on completing and filing the annual charitable tax return (T3010A) accurately and on time. The site links to valuable resources on becoming a charity or nonprofit, and lists T3010A training sessions across Canada.  

CCVO presents pre-budget submission to the federal Standing Committee on Finance

CCVO presented at the federal government’s pre-budget consultation session in Calgary on Dec. 4. We discussed points from our submission, including the need for a National Charities Strategy, continued support for sector research, and continued priority on reforming the administration of Grants and Contributions funding.

Community Spirit Fund Update

The Alberta government’s proposed program to match individual donations is expected to launch in early 2008. Plans have not yet been released, however government officials have been quoted in local media saying the match amount could be anywhere between 10 and 50 cents on the donation dollar, with a maximum of about $50,000 on grants any one agency can receive. This would enable more organizations to benefit, including smaller groups.

City festivals get $300,000 boost

Calgary’s City Council approved $300,000 in new funding to build awareness and audiences for festivals in the city. Criteria is now being developed and the money will be available next year through a grant program run by Calgary Arts Development.

Quebec nonprofits introduce innovative pension plan
The Centre de Formation Populaire and Relais-Femmes are working with nonprofits in Quebec to implement a sustainable pension plan for the nonprofit sector. After extensive consultation and planning, they are now encouraging organizations and individuals to join on. If at least 800 people sign up by Dec. 17, employees in community organizations across Quebec can start contributing to Canada’s first nonprofit sector pension plan next year. For details, see the HR Council for the Voluntary/Nonprofit Sector’s newsletter (page 2).

Resources and Professional Development

Business support for nonprofits – get a leg up on Feb 7

This seminar, presented by Imagine Canada in partnership with CCVO, AFP Calgary and Volunteer Calgary, will help nonprofits understand the motivations and realities of corporate community investments. Join us Feb. 7 from 11:30am - 5:00pm in Calgary. Cost is $100, or $75 for members of any of the presenting partners. Learn more and register.

Peer Learning Circle for nonprofit Board Members
The Institute for Nonprofit Studies at Mount Royal College is looking for members of Boards of Directors in sports, recreation and arts organizations to participate in a peer learning circle, running twice a month for two hours between Feb. and May 2008. If you’re interested in developing governance knowledge or evolving governance in your organization, contact Anita Angelini at 440-8806 by Dec 13.

Charity Village online courses – recognized by CAVR
CharityVillage Campus offers web-based, self-paced courses for $127 each. Many topics are available, such as planned giving, how boards work, proposal writing, events and strategic planning. The Canadian Administrators of Volunteer Resources (CAVR) now recognizes the courses toward certification.

Reports

We can't afford to do business this way

The Wellesley Institute in Toronto released a report examining how over-stretched nonprofits are routinely subjected to complex reporting and grant application practices.

Working poverty among recent immigrants

Research shows working-age recent immigrants living in poverty are less likely to depend on government transfers, and are therefore more likely to be part of a working poor family than other poor Canadians.

Values-driven consumers changing the marketplace
A report from US marketing firm BBMG states that, when products are of equal quality and price, consumers are more likely to buy from companies that commit to environmentally-friendly practices (87%), promote health and safety (88%) and support fair labour and trade (87%).

Welcome to new CCVO Members:

Acadia Community Association

Canadian Cancer Society

Connections Counselling & Consulting Foundation

KidZinc School Age Care Society of Alberta

Servants Anonymous Society

The Historical Society of Alberta

United Way of Central Alberta

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