Business and Community Engagement Forum
Carleton University, Ottawa
Thriving Businesses in Healthy Resilient Communities
Background
In 2010, five million employed Canadians reported receiving some kind of support from their workplaces to volunteer in the community. Businesses have recognized the many benefits of collaborating with community organizations, including increased productivity, improved talent recruitment and retention, lower absenteeism and a more positive public image. Community organizations have also recognized the benefits of engaging with businesses, such as accessing specialized skills, building organizational capacity and enhancing public awareness.
For these relationships to be successful, they require a shared commitment to reciprocity, cross-organizational understanding, common language and an alignment among the objectives of the business and the community organization. Both businesses and community organizations are seeking tools and training specific to the Canadian landscape.
With funding from the RBC Foundation, Volunteer Canada and Carleton University have established the Canadian Institute for Business and Community Engagement to respond to these challenges. The Business and Community Engagement Forum will be the Institute’s inaugural event, bringing together 150 participants from a wide variety of regions and sectors.
Who Should Attend
The Business and Community Engagement Forum is intended for business leaders, academic researchers and practitioners in the public, private and non-profit sectors.
Purpose
The Forum provides attendees with an opportunity to showcase and explore practices, models and tools that strengthen community engagement and employer-supported volunteering in Canada.
The 21st annual conference of the Ontario Association of Community Futures Development Corporations will be held this year in Muskoka. Muskoka has many fun things to do and see; the list is long with wide appeal. Enjoy a steamship cruise; picnic in exquisite natural surroundings; ride a trail on a horse or bike; experience a unique museum; stargaze into the vastness; canoe through morning mist; perfect your golf swing; zip line through majestic pines; get a closer look at wildlife; fish for that big one; savour local beer and wine; swim in crystal clear lakes; pamper yourself at a spa; treat your taste buds to a feast; or relax dockside in one of our famous, comfortable Muskoka chairs!