For a young person starting out in the nonprofit sector, the role of executive director can seem to be many things: impressive, exciting, inspiring. It may also appear daunting, exhausting and riddled with inefficiencies — a job one must become...
Leveraging funds. Capacity-building. Community-driven action. Enabling populations. Collaboration. Participatory action. Anti-oppression. Just some examples of a multitude of terms regularly thrown around by professionals in the nonprofit sector, these buzzwords can be reasonably categorized as industry speak, or just plain...
In the Dr. Seuss classic, the Grinch dresses like Santa, slinks down chimneys and makes off with all the gifts under all the trees and fireplace mantles in Whoville. This story came to mind last week with the news that...
In naming 2012 as the United Nations’ Year of Co-operatives, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, “Co-operatives are a reminder to the international community that it is possible to pursue both economic viability and social responsibility.” In recognition of the Year...
We’ve all gone out for lunch and complained about our bosses – “Oh, my boss is such a psychopath,” we say. Usually, this kind of gripe is just a means of letting off steam after a frustrating encounter, but sometimes...
If a board is responsible for articulating the ethical values of their organization, how would they know what those are? The board is responsible for articulating the ethical values as they want them to be, not as they are. It’s...
Sometimes our work environments make it seem like we've never left high school. Cliques develop, groups grow insular and it becomes nearly impossible to cross the divide. Whether it's a nonprofit organization or for-profit company, it's not unusual for employees...
As the mission-driven sector in Canada continues to grow, so does the need for young innovators and leaders who can confidently carry it forward. Stepping up to fill what has become a prominent educational gap in a country that prides...
You finally get the go-ahead. After much deliberation over many months, your project proposal has been given the green light by your board. You've got the money set aside to get it done, and even know of a company that...
Nestled amongst the lush greenery of Langley, British Columbia, the Langley Senior Resources Society has spent the last 30 years offering services that help the elderly maintain their independence. Then, in 2009, the centre's contract for outreach programs – which included...
