Email Bulletin Archives

Email Bulletin - November 22, 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.

Bill 1, The Lobbyists Act

Amendment to exempt nonprofits passes; Bill 1 moves into the final stretch

Last week we provided a special Email Bulletin after the government brought forward an amendment to Bill 1, the Lobbyists Act, to exempt all nonprofits serving the public good. Yesterday, the amendment was passed by the Assembly. The Bill is still being discussed and other amendments are expected before it will be ready for third reading and royal assent, and become law.

The Assembly discussions regarding nonprofits are worth reading. View key comments from MLAs, a document which shows a number of MLAs clearly stated the value of the nonprofit sector and the need to re-consider how it is supported by government. Numerous MLAs also commented on how clearly and consistently nonprofits had communicated with them about Bill 1 – and how they hoped this line of communication would remain open in the future. 

There is no question that your efforts were noticed. Our collective action as a sector has resulted in significant changes to Bill 1, and just as importantly, it has opened up important dialogue between nonprofits and the government of Alberta. We encourage you to use this opportunity to communicate with government once again, and say thanks.

In the Spirit of Giving: donations, pro-bono work and more

Charitable donations increase in 2006, but the number of donors falls

Statistics Canada reports that charitable donations rose 8.3% to $8.5 billion in 2006, but the number of donors decreased 1.4% to 5.8 million. In Alberta 600,000 people gave a total of $1.29 billion to charity in 2006, a 15.5% increase in donations. Nationally, 25% of all taxfilers claimed charitable donations and the average donor age was 52 years. Canadians earning $20,000 to $60,000 per year were more likely to give than those with higher incomes.

Website accepts donations on behalf of charities – and makes a great gift

www.CanadaHelps.org is a charity and donation portal that accepts donations for all of Canada's 80,000 charities. Donors can make a single gift, an ongoing gift, or even purchase a gift card for a friend, who can then choose a charity to support. The site even accepts gifts of securities (stocks, bonds and mutual funds), which provide greater tax advantages for donors.

Most Canadians prefer to receive gifts that help others
A recent poll shows 84% of Canadians say they would prefer to receive a meaningful gift that would help someone else, rather than a traditional gift like a sweater. Additionally, 68% of individuals who typically receive gifts at work, such as pens or calendars from vendors, say they would prefer a charitable donation. (This Ipsos Reid study is available by paid subscription)

Karo offers free communications work

Karo, a Canadian advertising agency, is offering $50,000 worth of pro bono work, including design strategy and multidisciplinary creative, to a Calgary community group (and the same for a Vancouver group).

International Volunteer Day, Dec. 5

From 1- 4 pm on Dec. 5, celebrate with Volunteer Calgary and the Calgary Public Library (616 MacLead Trail SE) and join workshops on volunteer retention and targeted recruitment. Contact Helen Shaver at 231-1435 to register. Also visit the International Volunteer Day website.

CRA News (Canada Revenue Agency)

Canada Revenue Agency promotes website and information for donors

The CRA began a campaign to advise individuals on becoming informed donors and to direct them to the website www.cra.gc.ca/donors, where they can research charities, learn about tax benefits, and more.

CRA warns to watch out for email fraud

Individuals are receiving emails that are falsely identified as coming from CRA to confirm the registration of a complaint. The links within the fraudulent emails contain harmful software. If you receive this email, delete it.

Poverty Plan

Liberals’ 30-50 Plan to Reduce Poverty

Liberal leader Stéphane Dion outlined his 30-50 Plan to reduce poverty. If implemented, Dion hopes the plan would see a 30% reduction in the number of Canadians living in poverty in five years, and a 50% reduction in child poverty.

In the News

Nonprofit Sector Undervalued at our Peril

On Nov. 16, the Calgary Herald published an article by Wayne Stewart and Walter Hossli on the under-valuing of the nonprofit sector and the consequences for agencies and staff. 

Nonprofits not part of Lobbyists registry
Read the Nov 20 Edmonton Journal article on nonprofits and Bill 1 (a shortened version appeared in the Calgary Herald).

Reminders

Future for critical sector research in jeopardy
We encourage you to write to Industry Minister Jim Prentice and your local MP to ask for continued funding for the Canadian Survey on Giving, Volunteering and Participation, one of the nonprofit sector’s only ongoing data sources. Click here for details and a template letter. CCVO’s letter will be on our website late next week.

Draft standards for the sector, by the sector

Imagine Canada, CCVO and other nonprofit leaders have produced a discussion paper on potential new standards for the sector in areas such as governance and human resources. The goal is to increase public trust and to help organizations achieve their mission. Imagine Canada is looking for your feedback on a number of discussion points (beginning on page 9 of the paper). 

Online Job Centre

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

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CCVO – Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations

STRONG VOICE . STRONG CONNECTIONS .  POSITIVE CHANGE