2003/04

Managing Relations with your Union

Maureen Farson, Lawyer, Employment and Labour Specialist
Employer/employee relationships in the nonprofit sector are become increasingly complex. The legislation governing employers and workplaces is constantly changing, and in recent years many nonprofits have been unionized. Employers want to be fiscally and operationally responsible, but they also want to be lawful and fair. In a unionized environment, it is essential that the relationship between employer and union work.

Trends in Technology

Philip King, President & CEO, Artez Interactive
Technology…we love it; we hate it! Some very impressive advances have been made for nonprofits through technology; some very disappointing failures are well known. Technology is here to stay but technology for technology sake doesn’t make sense. Technology is best used to enable better: fundraising, communications and community building.

Strategic Communications

Jennifer Lynn, President, LCI – Lynn Communications Inc.
The ability to effectively and consistently keep your organization top-of-mind and visible to all of your stakeholders – including funders, donors, and service recipients – is a critical component of success. A strategic approach to all of your communication activities, both for internal and external audiences, is essential and will positively impact your “bottom line”.

Strategic Planning

James Appleyard, President, King & Appleyard Associates
Is it always necessary to strategic plan? While strategic planning is useful, it is not essential to every organization. New organizations, organizations with a strong or charismatic leaders, or busy organizations which are too successful to slow down can survive with unarticulated strategies that respond to day-to-day emerging issues. It is also important to note that strategic planning has opportunity costs, because valuable energy, time and resources can be wasted. Therefore, it should not be used indiscriminately. Even a good strategic plan can end up in the ‘bottom drawer’ without an effective implementation plan.

Fundraising

Ross McGregor, Former Chairman of Ketchum Canada Inc, Fund Raising Counsel
As the nonprofit sector struggles to deliver more services in the face of diminishing government support, the need for effective private sector fundraising has never been greater. This session will provide practical guidance on important aspects of fundraising and “friend-raising” including telling your story effectively; selecting an efficient fundraising vehicle; identifying your best prospects; asking for financial support; and following up and building a relationship.

Government Relations

Daniel Burns, former Deputy Minister, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Most nonprofit organizations have a great deal of experience in the funding cycles of their immediate charitable funders but fewer are knowledgeable about how government budgets are created and managed. Understanding the annual cycle of how government ministries prepare and evaluate their spending proposals can help nonprofit organizations plan and implement their own activities and ultimately co-ordinate these activities to maximize their effectiveness in approaching governments for funding.

Human Resource Management

Heather Connelly, President, Kinley Connelly
Human Resources within a nonprofit organization includes paid staff and leadership as well as volunteer recruitment. Nonprofit organizations must marry good business practices and resourcefulness with a clear cause or vision. Challenges (and opportunities) in the area of human resources come from the small size of many organizations, perceived lack of career opportunities, limited professional development funding and the insufficient focus of boards of directors on human resource management.