May 2011

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Canadian CED Network News

Connections to Revitalize Communities: An Ontario CED Event

Date: June 8, 2011
Location: The Learning Enrichment Foundation
116 Industry Street, Toronto, ON

Connections to Revitalize Communities: An Ontario CED Event is fast approaching! If you have not yet taken the time to register please visit http://www.gifttool.com/registrar/ShowEventDetails?ID=1323&EID=9542. 

There are many great workshops offered by your peers at this event.  Check out the program today by visiting http://www.ccednet-rcdec.ca/en/OntarioCEDEvent. Updates will be made to the program as we get nearer to the date of the event so please note the timestamp on the cover of the program to ensure that you have the most current version and return to the website periodically to download the latest copy.

Registration for the workshops at the Ontario CED Event is being done separately. Please visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HHZ2M8S to indicate your first and second choice for the workshops that will be provided. Because there is limited room space we cannot guarantee that you will get your first choice - space will be filled on a first come first served basis so the sooner that you register the more likely you will get your first pick.

We look forward to a full day of learning and sharing with you on June 8th!

CED Learning Tour and the Canadian CED Network's AGM

Date: June 7, 2011

In conjunction with Connections to Revitalize Communities we are offering a unique tour of social enterprises in Toronto! Taking place from noon until 5pm, come learn about some of the socially innovative approaches to business happening in the city.  To learn more about the tour visit: http://www.ccednet-rcdec.ca/en/OntarioCEDEvent#overview. (Register for the tour today by following the registration link above for the Ontario CED Event).

Additionally, the Canadian CED Network's 2011 Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held at the offices of the Learning Enrichment Foundation, in Toronto, starting at 7pm. To confirm your participation at the AGM and to find out more information, visit: http://www.ccednet-rcdec.ca/en/2011AGM.

Ontario CED News

Canadian Labour International Film Festival Presents: Using Film as a Tool for Change

Introduced by Kim Koyama

Friday, May 27 at 9:00pm
Ryerson University Student Centre
55 Gould Street (one block north of Dundas St, two blocks east of Yonge St;
nearest TTC is Dundas)
Ryerson University, Toronto

Join us for a discussion on the use of film as a tool in workers’ and other global struggles, hosted by the Canadian Labour Film Festival (CLiFF). An informal discussion will follow the film screenings. A cash bar will be on site.

Sponsored by the International Socialists

MINT Presents: 2 Seminars on Community Resilience and Sustainability

Complementary Exchange Systems: Preparing to Launch
Saturday May 28th from 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Novotel Toronto Centre, 45 the Esplanade

This workshop will cover the fundamental issues involved in exchange alternatives, including:

  • Why Community Currencies Often Stagnate and Fail to Thrive
  • Requirements for a Sound Exchange System
  • The various elements of a business plan, including:
    • Management
    • Finance
    • Marketing
    • Implementation strategies

A New Paradigm for Community Economic Development
Sunday May 29th from 1:30 - 3:30 pm
ING DIRECT Downtown Café
Second Floor at 221 Yonge Street

This seminar will address questions like:

  1. What are the common problems confronting local and regional economies?
  2. How can communities cope with changing circumstances and higher level political and financial actions that are adverse to local economic health and quality of life?

Seminar Tickets cost $20 in advance and $25 at the door and can be purchased in person starting May 21st. info@mintff.org.

For more information visit: http://www.mintff.org.

Two Upcoming Webinars You Won’t Want to Miss!

Tuesday May 31 @ noon EST - Board Governance: The Agora Governance™ Model & Funding Nonprofits: How to Find the Funders. Of particular interest to CEOs/EDs, join Ruth Armstrong of VISION Management Services and Betty Ferreira of ReStructure Consulting as they discuss this exciting new model of governance.

Click here to register for Board Governance: Agora Governance

Tuesday June 7, 2011 @ noon EST - Funding Nonprofits and Developing Relationships with Funders. Weary of searching for grants? Then this seminar is for you. Join Michael Lenczner Fundtracker and Marilyn Struthers of the Ontario Trillium Foundation to have all your questions answered about how to source that cold, hard cash.

Click here to register for Funding Nonprofits: How to Find the Funders.


ALL Events are $30 for members of the Ontario Nonprofit Network, $60 for nonmembers.

Broader Public Sector Accountability Act, 2010 (Bill 122)

Consultations Start June 1st

Does your organization receive less than $10M in provincial funding? Do you purchase goods or services? Then now is the time to get your voice heard!

The Broader Public Sector Accountability Act will strongly affect how our sector purchases goods and services. A Best Practices Procurement Guide will become a reference point for publicly funded organizations receiving less than $10M in provincial funding. How can we ensure it meets our sector’s needs?

  1. Take the ONN survey. The survey data gives us a quantitative snapshot that will help ONN understand and convey what our sector is experiencing. You can still add feedback here
  2. Join consultations with the Ministry of Finance, starting June 1st. The Ontario Nonprofit Network will be working with the Ministry in conducting these consultations in order to ensure that our sector's voices are heard during the consultation process. These consultations are intended to
    1. Engage organizations in discussions around current procurement practices, challenges and opportunities for improvement
    2. Share information on potential opportunities regarding best practices, group purchasing opportunities and use of Vendor of Record (VOR) arrangements
    3.  Use the information shared by organizations to support the creation of a Best Practices Procurement Guide

Why Consultations?

The Act affects the vast majority of organizations in our sector - The Broader Public Sector Accountability Act, 2010 provides the authority for the Management Board of Cabinet to issue directives governing the procurement of goods and services by designated broader public sector organizations.

Seniors Grassroots Outreach to Vulnerable Seniors Funding Initiative

The deadline for submitting the 2011-2012 grant application is fast approaching. The electronic copy has to be submitted by 5:00pm on the 3rd of June with the signed copy postmarked on the same day. Please find more information at: http://www.woodgreen.org/Resources/GrantOpportunity.aspx

We are still holding information sessions for those who have questions regarding the application and the dates are as follows:

  • May 25, 2011 – 1:00pm -2:00pm
  • May 27, 2011 – 1:00pm-2:00pm
  • May 30, 2011 – 5:00pm – 6:00pm
  • June 1, 2011 – 9:00am-10:00am

If you are planning to attend any of the information sessions, please let Linda Ncube know by sending an email to lncube@woodgreen.org or calling her at 416-645-6000 ext.1825.

The Toronto Dollar Supper Club invites you to hear Richard Ouzounian, Theatre Critic for the Toronto Star

Monday, June 6 at 6:00pm
Hot House Cafe, Toronto, ON

Richard Ouzounian is a Canadian journalist and theatre artist. Beyond his duties as theatre critic for the Star, Mr. Ouzounian writes celebrity profiles, travel and restaurant features for the newspaper. He is also the creator of several musical theatre events and he has headed up departments and programming for both CBC and TVO.

His credits include an M.A. in Theatre and Creative Writing at the University of British Columbia, Artistic Director of five major Canadian theatres, Associate Director of the Stratford Festival and President of the Board of Arts Foundation of Toronto.

Reserve seats for the dinner by emailing supperclub@torontodollar.com or by calling 416-361-0466

A three course meal (from a menu of four choices) will be served at a cost of $25.00 Toronto Dollars, including taxes and gratuities. Drinks are extra.

Toronto Dollars are available at the event.

Toronto Dollars are a local currency used to support our community. 10% of each Toronto Dollar spent at the Supper Club goes to community projects. You can use Toronto Dollars any time at the Hot House Café, the St. Lawrence Market and other businesses in the area.

Financial Literacy Workshops for Newcomers and Low Income Families

As part of their Financial Literacy Program at Access Point, Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services and Green Pastures Society are sponsoring workshops which will help you to navigate the labyrinth of financial challenges and decisions you face.


Workshop # 2 - Accessing Financial Benefits, Entitlements and Supports from Public and Private Programs
Date: Thursday June 9, 2011
Time: 5:30pm - 7:00pm

Many Low Income families are not aware of the Income Security programs from which to access financial resources. Even those who know of such programs cannot navigate the labyrinth of organizations and forms required to access their financial entitlements from such programs.

This workshop will help low-income families to know sources of assistance and how to access financial resources they are entitles to from government programs.

Workshop # 3 - Financial Literacy workshop for Students
Date: Thursday June 23, 2011
Time: 5:30pm - 7:00pm

This two hour workshop will among other things cover the following issues:

  • Review the financial challenges faced by students
  • Research study findings on Financial Literacy issues facing Students
  • Financial Crisis Management
  • What is Financial Literacy and can it assist Students in navigating the financial challenges
  • Managing your Finances—[Reducing Expenses and increasing Your cash flow!]
  • Networking strategies to increase Student employment opportunities
  • Opportunities in Self-employment [including deductibility of expenses]
  • Dealing with Financial Crisis
  • Where to get help

Space is limited so register TODAY to reserve your seat in these workshops.
Call 416-693-8677 to register now.

Art of the Start

An Inspiring Event for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
June 14, 2011

Created and hosted by the Ottawa Community Loan Fund, Art of the Start is a must-attend event
for people in Ottawa who are fired up about starting their own business.
At Art of the Start you can:

  • Hear What It's Really Like To Start A Business · Entrepreneurs Tell Their Stories.
  • Find Resources That Can Help You Start A Business · Attend A Mini Trade Show.
  • Build Your Professional Network · Meet Like Minded People

Free Admission | Free Parking | Complimentary Munchies!

Register today!

For further information call 613-594-3535, email info@oclf.org, or visit http://www.oclf.org.

2nd EPIC Social Economy Conference

Human Endeavour through its Social Economy Project EPIC is hosting the 2nd Social Economy Conference on June 21st 2011(see attached invitation). The conference will showcase social economy models now operating in Ontario and provide a collaborative forum for the stakeholders in the success of Social Economy initiatives in Ontario.

This Conference will also be presenting Achievement Awards to three enterprises/ organizations. We would like to encourage you to share with us the work of your enterprise or organization that has resulted in the implementation of social economy in the form of an introductory one/two pager.

Please read carefully the following eligibility criteria for social economy achievement awards.

  • The enterprise should be operating for at least 2-3 yrs.
  • The enterprise/organization will be group social enterprise.
  • The objectives of the eligible enterprise will be to promote social economy principles.
  • The enterprise will be judged on the extent of contribution towards the community economic development.

The participants are welcome to set up booths to promote themselves at the conference.

For more information please contact Kanwal Habib or Renu Rani at 905-553-9291
Email: kanwal.habib@humanendeavour.org, renu.rani@humanendeavour.org

To register today visit: http://humanendeavour.org/register_online2.php

Social Economy Achievement Awards 2011

Are you an innovative and inspiring social enterprise or a social economy organization in Ontario?

Human Endeavour will select three outstanding entities for the Social Economy Achievement Award 2011 and recognize them on June 21st, 2011 at the 2nd EPIC Social Economy Conference in Vaughan.

Please submit brief introduction (not exceeding 2 pages) along with website address and any other supportive evidence.

Eligibility/selection criteria

  • The entity should be operating for at least 2 years

  • The enterprise will be judged on the basis of its demonstrated contribution towards the economic & social benefit of the marginalized communities.

Award winners will have10 minutes time to share their achievement and story with the conference participants. They could also have a booth, at no charge, to show case products or programs.

Please email your information by June 3rd to info@humanendeavour.org. If you need more info, please contact Kanwal Habib or Renu Rani at 905-553-9291

Visit http://humanendeavour.org for more details.

Please click here to register for the 2nd EPIC Social Economy Conference.

Steps to Leadership: Building strong leaders to build strong rural Ontario communities.

If you want to build strong leaders in your rural community consider partnering with Steps to Leadership. We are currently seeking partnerships with 6 local organizations representing rural communities/regions from across Ontario for 2012. We are looking for a range of types of lead/sponsoring organizations from various parts of Ontario (regional initiatives are encouraged).

If you are interested in being a partner, please contact Alicia Evans at aevans@ruralontarioinstitute.ca or (519) 826-4204 for more information about submitting an expression of interest.

The closing date for the expressions of interest for 2012 is Wednesday, November 30, 2011 

Deadline for Innovative Co-operative Projects Funding is June 30, 2011

The Co-operative Development Initiative (CDI) is a Government of Canada program delivered in a partnership with the Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA), Conseil canadien de la coopération et de la mutualité (CCCM), and the Rural and Co-operatives Secretariat of the Government of Canada. The CDI's Innovative Co-operative Projects funds innovative co-operative projects that address themselves to public policy priority challenges and that will generate best practices and lessons learned. The funding range for projects is between $5,000 and $75,000 per project per year, and the site states that this is the last intake for the current program. Applicants or their partners are expected to contribute at least 25% of total project costs. Information on this program is also available in French, ici.

Metcalf Launches a New Fellowship Program and Website

The Metcalf Innovation Fellowship Program is directed at supporting new “thinking and doing.” We believe fresh insights and true experimentation often happen on the edge of an issue, out beyond where organized and traditional efforts are being made. We want to create opportunities for this work to be developed, disseminated and heard. These Fellowships will give individuals of vision and creativity, working in one or more of Metcalf’s program areas, the freedom to pursue powerful ideas, models, or practices that have the potential to contribute to building a healthier, more resilient southern Ontario.

This new Program emerges from a small initiative that we have had within our Community Program over the last four years. Over that time we have been struck by the impact which thoughtful people can have on difficult issue when given a robust platform and the time and support necessary to develop their thinking and its effective communication. Each of our Innovation Fellows has made significant and ongoing contributions to the issues they have tackled. We look forward to what this expanded initiative can achieve.

For more information about the Innovation Fellowship, please visit the Foundation’s new website, which was also launched this week @ http://www.metcalffoundation.com.

Video: Meet the Impact Investors, Access Community Capital Fund

This video is part of a series that showcases social finance at work. In these case studies, you can see how impact investors make their decisions and learn more about different models of social finance. Learn more about the difference that social finance is making in communities and for companies that harness it for social good! The Access Community Capital Fund (ACCESS) has been providing loans to small entrepreneurs since 1999, when it began as a community organization in Riverdale, Toronto. It helps promising entrepreneurs gain access to finance that they would traditionally not qualify for, principally on the basis of having little collateral or inadequate credit history. In this video, ACCESS explains how they use context to make character-based lending decisions that not only support social changemakers, but also provide a return on investment. Craig Wright, the founder and owner of FACW K9 Training and Rehabilitation, relates the story of how ACCESS helped him give numerous dogs a second chance.

Click here to watch the video today

The Learning Enrichment Foundation set to Maintain BIXI Bikes in Toronto

The Learning Enrichment Foundation (LEF) put in a successful bid to be the main provider of maintenance and repairs for Toronto's newly established public bike system, BIXI. LEF's successful Bicycle Assembly and Maintenance (BAM) program will be responsible for the upkeep, continuing their commitment to providing youth with bike shop training opportunities. 

For more information visit: https://toronto.bixi.com/ride-with-bixi/bike/bike-maintenance-by-learning-enrichment-foundation.

Build Affordable Housing on Surplus Government Land – says Home Ownership Alternatives

Home Ownership Alternatives (HOA) has released a policy proposal that calls on the province to sell surplus government land on a priority basis for affordable housing development. HOA suggests that the Province set up a process that would result in affordable housing redevelopment of under-utilized government land.

The proposal includes three case studies that describe the HOA-financed redevelopment of government owned sites in Guelph, Kitchener Waterloo and Toronto.

The concept of turning surplus sites, former offices, closed schools and other sites into vibrant new communities has received support from across the housing sector.

HOA’s proposal “Priority Access to Surplus Publicly Owned Land to Support Affordable Housing” can be found at: http://www.hoacorp.ca/index.php/media/reports

National and International CED News

North American Worker Co-operative and Business Successions Conference

The Conference is structured as two distinct and consecutive events.

  1. An International Conference on Business Successions and Employee Ownership, with a focus on worker co-operatives

On October 11th, 12th and 13th – with two objectives:

  • Raise awareness of worker co-operatives and related models as an alternative for businesses without successors.
  • Develop the expertise of stakeholders through the exchange and analysis of their experience.
  1. A North American Conference of Worker Co-operatives, with the theme “Co-operation without Borders"

On October 13th, 14th and 15th, with four objectives:

  • Provide a venue for the worker co-operative (“WC”) movements in Quebec, the rest of Canada and the United States* to come together and share experiences: a first and historic occasion.
  • Develop the expertise of worker co-operators through the exchange and analysis of best practices in the management and governance of a worker co-op.
  • Officially launch the North American sub-region of CICOPA-Americas, to be known as “CICOPA-North America.” (CICOPA is the international association of worker co-operatives.)
  • Prepare and announce a common declaration on public policy positions favourable to the growth and development of worker co-ops, and issued jointly by all the Federations involved, in lead-up to the UN International Year of Co-operatives in 2012.

Visit http://www.canadianworker.coop/Conference2011 to view the draft program.

Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development

The Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development (JAFSCD) will start posting papers to their fourth issue in June. The call topic on Small- and Mid-Scale Food Value Chain Development generated strong papers, and the following are among those that will be included in this issue:

  • Food Value Chains: An Introduction, by G. W. Stevenson, Kate Clancy, Robert King, Larry Lev, Marcia Ostrom, and Stewart Smith
  • Using a Supply Chain Analysis to Assess the Sustainability of Farm-to-Institution Programs, by Gail Feenstra, Patricia Allen, Shermain Hardesty, Jeri Ohmart, and Jan Perez
  • Informal and Formal Mechanisms of Coordination in Hybrid Food Value Chain, by J. Dara Bloom and C. Clare Hinrichs
  • Acting Collectively to Develop Mid-Scale Food Value Chains, by Larry Lev and G. W. Stevenson
  • Food Value Chain Development in Central New York: CNY Bounty, by Becca B.R. Jablonski, Javier Perez-Burgos, and Miguel I. Gómez
  • Increasing Farm Income and Local Food Access: A Case Study of a Collaborative Aggregation, Marketing and Distribution Strategy that Links Farmers to Markets, by Michele C. Schmidt, Jane M. Kolodinsky, Thomas P. DeSisto, and Faye C. Conte
  • Money and Mission: Moving Food with Value and Values, by Adam Diamond and James Barham
  • Commentary from Bob Perry on the challenges faced when Kentucky State Parks developed a local-food purchasing system

Food System Planning Issue Coming this Summer!
Volume 2 issue 1 on the topic of Food System Planning is also forthcoming! Many papers on this emerging field have been received, including those focusing on geographic information systems, urban food access, mapping foodsheds, and planner approaches to addressing food system issues.

Open Call Submissions
JAFSCD accepts manuscripts at any time on any topics related to agriculture and food systems–based community development. See the JAFSCD page on core themes for a sample of the topics within our purview.

New Research on Social Enterprises Empowering Disabled Communities

This report, titled "Social Business: Advancing the Viability of a Model for Economic and Occupational Justice for People with Disabilities," presents the findings of an environmental scan of social businesses in Canada for people with disabilities. This study systematically catalogues key features of established social businesses in Canada, and creates a taxonomy of social business that is grounded in current practice in order to guide future research activity and offer greater understanding of this sector to policy makers and other key stakeholders.

Download the full report (pdf)

Keep in touch with the Community Forward Fund

The Community Forward Fund has recently revamped their outreach campaign with a new e-newsletter and recently renovated website complete with a current blog. Their inaugural newsletter features an article on the Tucker House, which runs educational programs on energy efficiency and renewable energy. The Tucker House used their loan from the CFF to purchase new solar panels.

Click here to read CFF’s e-newsletter

Resetting the Table on Food Policy

The People’s Food Policy Project has developed a policy recommendation aimed at Canada’s new government, titled Resetting the Table – A People’s Food Policy for Canada. The document includes the PFPP’s ideas on how to make Canada’s food system fair, healthy, and ecological. It also calls for an overhaul of Federal policies governing all aspects of food: where it comes from, how it is produced, and how all Canadians can have access to safe and nutritious food at all times.

Download Resetting the Table (pdf)

U.K. Co-ops Launch Anti-Poverty Campaign

Co-operatives in the United Kingdom have joined forces with a wide range of non-governmental organizations for a petition campaign aimed at reducing the gap between rich and poor.

The petition -- which aims to attract at least 100,000 signatories -- was launched outside the Bank of England by leading figures in the co-operative movement, including Ed Mayo, secretary general of Co-operatives UK and Len Wardle, chair of the Co-operative Group. Over 25 prominent NGOs are supporting the petition.

Read more

(Source: CCA News Brief)

 The CCCR's new eJournal to Inspire, Innovate, Incite, and Invent

In the wake of Making Waves magazine’s end, the Canadian Centre for Community Renewal has launched i4, an ejournal about how we craft more creative, democratic, and sustainable economies in this century of climate change and peak oil. In the tradition of Making Waves, i4 will rely heavily for its technical content (articles of 2-5,000 words) on practitioners, researchers, and policy-makers directly engaged in community resilience and transition. In addition, stories of 5-600 words will act as "gateways" to these and other valuable resources.

Read more

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