Email Bulletin Archives

Email Bulletin - October 25, 2007

In this October 25 email bulletin from the Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations you will find resources and news items for and about the voluntary sector.

CCVO News

Nov. 28 event

Our people: A renewable resource?  Rethinking our workforce approach

You know it all too well: nonprofits and charities are struggling to attract and retain great employees, and solutions to workforce shortages are unlikely to appear on their own. The time has come to step back and rethink the way we approach human resources issues in the voluntary/nonprofit sector. We invite senior nonprofit staff to join us from 8:30am – 4:00pm on Nov. 28 to look at the real human resources issues facing organizations and the realistic ways to address them today. Learn more and register online.

Lobbyists Act update

Thank you for helping communicate nonprofit concerns to the government. CCVO and others are continuing our efforts to have changes made to Bill 1. Please keep up your great work!

Codes and Laws

New Ethical Code launched by Imagine Canada

Imagine Canada announced a revised Ethical Fundraising and Financial Accountability Code (available for charities and nonprofits to review and adopt) and a new compliance program that will launch Jan. 2008. Sector leaders including CCVO helped revise the Code with the goal of creating effective and realistic standards that would help organizations to proactively maintain public trust and achieve their mission.

Top Ten Canadian charity law issues

Blumberg Segal law firm has provided a brief list and explanation on what it believes are the most important things to know about charity law in Canada.

Sports Groups Not Charities: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of Canada ruled that local youth sports groups are not charities under the Income Tax Act (although they can still be incorporated nonprofits). The ruling was on an appeal by the Amateur Youth Soccer Association, which Imagine Canada intervened in. The Court stated that the promotion of sports does not fall within the four categories of charitable work, but also stated that organizations that use sport as a means for achieving charitable goals should continue to apply for charitable registration. The same would be true for arts groups.

Reports

High-Impact Nonprofits succeed for surprising reasons
US researchers expected that the success of 12 high-impact nonprofits was due to solid internal management strategies and operations. Instead, their article in the Stanford Social Innovation Review states the nonprofits achieved real social change by going outside their own walls to build true collaboration networks, advocate, and master the art of adaptation.

Comprehensive study of young people’s very different attitudes to politics

Canadian Policy Research Networks released Lost in Translation: (Mis)Understanding Youth Engagement, an important study showing those born after 1979 are very tuned in to small “p” political life (volunteering, boycotts, etc) but are disenchanted with formal political institutions and politics.

Surviving Not Thriving – The untold story of struggling Calgarians

A report by the Poverty Reduction Coalition (initiated and supported by United Way) tells the story of several low-income families who are falling deeper into debt each month despite different income sources and cautious budgeting. By next year, 19,000 Calgary households will be at risk for homelessness if solutions are not found. 

Professional Development and Awards

Fund Development Training from CentrePoint

Apply by Oct. 26 to join CentrePoint's 2008 Fund Development Plus program.  

Philanthropy Awareness Week: Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)

Join the Nov. 14 session “Are we encouraging compassion or ROI?” and then see Andrea McManus (CCVO Board Chair) be honoured as the Outstanding Fundraising Professional.

Gaming information for charities from Alberta Liquor and Gaming Commission
The GAIN and Use of Proceeds sessions teach nonprofits about gaming licenses, policies, and rules for spending casino, bingo, raffle and pull ticket revenue. View upcoming free sessions.

Domestic Violence knowledge sharing forum and RESOLVE research – Nov. 5-6

Learn research and strategies to tackle domestic violence issues. The forum is $65 for Nov. 5 and $35 for Nov. 6. Contact Diane at 234-7337. 

Immigrants of Distinction Awards and Youth Scholarships – apply by Nov. 30

Nominate an immigrant, business, government or nonprofit that has made great contributions in arts, culture, business or community service.  

Youth Scholarships from Calgary Immigrant Aid Society – apply by Nov. 30

Youth Scholarships are awarded to immigrants ages 14 to 24 with outstanding contributions or achievements in areas such as arts and culture, sports, community activities and academics.

Funding

Funding for communities targeted by hate-motivated crime

Community centres, places of worship, recognized education institutions and other organizations can apply by Nov. 16 for government funding for minor security infrastructure costs.

Safeway seeks charities to fund: apply by Nov. 3

Safeway stores are looking for local organizations that assist disabled children through support, rehabilitation or research. Contact Jennifer Sung at (604) 301-2620. 

Businesses and Nonprofits

Social Purchasing Portal

Momentum, a community economic development organization, is asking nonprofits to join their Social Purchasing Portal and consider purchasing goods (from office supplies to catering) from socially-conscious businesses. There is no commitment or purchase involved in signing up.

Consulting with Companies

A CharityVillage article examines whether a nonprofit should take part in consultations with a company it doesn’t consider socially responsible.  

Recruitment

Service Canada is offering CCVO members an opportunity to share a booth at The Career Show, Calgary’s largest career fair on Nov. 9-10. It’s a great chance to engage prospective employees. Contact Mike Grogan at 261-6655.

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