June 30th 17:00 to 18:00 [GMT (London) Time]

TIMERAISERS - CANADA
Kate Browning, Timeraiser Program Manager, will outline Timeraiser events that see participants bid their volunteer time on art, purchased from emerging Canadian artists, to support great causes. At Timeraiser, artists get paid, nonprofits connect with skilled volunteers, and skilled people put their time to good use. Amongst the wide range of nonprofits supported are theatres, arts festivals, museums, and art galleries.

L.A. WORKS, LOS ANGELES, USA
Debbie Brutchey, Executive Director of LA Works, outlines how the organization encourages corporate citizenship through hands on community service experiences as well as sponsorships, volunteer days, and pro-bono experiences. This sustainable model decreases their organization's dependence on traditional fundraising from individuals and foundations. Beneficiary organizations of the corporate service include parks, schools, community centers and non-profits.

About The New Barn-Raising

The New Barn-Raising is an initiative to encourage the exchange of international best practice around sustaining community and civic assets such as parks, recreation centers, libraries, neighborhood stores, senior centers, museums and theaters. These are places and spaces characterized by a high degree of accessibility, popularity and sense of belonging to 'the people'.

The term New Barn-Raising refers to how different groups (business, citizens, foundations, non-profits groups, politicians, social entrepreneurs, social investors, taxpayers and unions) can all pull together to support assets.

[ read more ]

May 28th 21:00 to 22:00 [GMT (London) Time]

SAN JOSÉ PUBLIC LIBRARY'S PARTNERSHIP WITH EBAY, CALIFORNIA, USA
Jill Bourne, City Librarian, outlines how the Library worked with international corporation eBay to design a new online and app tool for public participation in the traditional Summer Reading Program, and increased involvement to record levels. Jill will describe the process of securing highly skilled volunteers, positioning an organization to attract partners, and the internal assets that are needed to manage these relationships effectively. The app is now being adopted by other U.S. libraries.

BERRIMA HISTORICAL MUSEUM, NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA
Harlan Hall, a recently-retired engineer and former General Manager of the Sydney Maritime Museum, initiated and project managed the building of a newly-opened exhibition hall attached to a local historical Museum. Harlan details his own volunteering expertise and impact - as well as that of the 50 or so other volunteers involved, including local professionals and tradespeople. He gives his tips on finding and persuading volunteers and the importance of: using volunteers within a clear business process; freedom for volunteer project managers; understanding what volunteers can/cannot do; measuring and reporting donated time; and training volunteers.

About The New Barn-Raising

The New Barn-Raising is an initiative to encourage the exchange of international best practice around sustaining community and civic assets such as parks, recreation centers, libraries, neighborhood stores, senior centers, museums and theaters. These are places and spaces characterized by a high degree of accessibility, popularity and sense of belonging to 'the people'.

The term New Barn-Raising refers to how different groups (business, citizens, foundations, non-profits groups, politicians, social entrepreneurs, social investors, taxpayers and unions) can all pull together to support assets.

[ read more ]

Welcome to the 6th National Event of Community Futures Network of Canada.

The Réseau des SADC et CAE, in association with the SADC Charlevoix, Côte-de-Beaupré, Île-d'Orléans, is proud to welcome you to the 6th National Event of CFDCs and CBDCs. This triennial event, held from June 3rd to 5th, 2015, will gather more than 600 participants from all provinces and territories of Canada, driven by the same passion: community economic development.

This event is tailored to partners, volunteers and Executive directors of CFDCs and CBDCs and is not something you want to miss!  The conference’s theme of «Proud of our   development culture, let's showcase our accomplishments» will be highlighted through the event and provides a unique opportunity for networking, sharing successes and showcasing new initiatives.

Inspiring conferences, regional discoveries, business field trips, shows and time to network is what has been planned for you.

About the Community Futures Network of Canada

Community Futures are Community Futures Development Corporations and Community Business Development Corporations (CFDCs/CBDCs) that provide their communities with a variety of services including business development loans, technical support, training and information. In addition to the business development component, CFDCs/CBDCs involve themselves in a wide array of community initiatives, including strategic planning processes, research and feasibility studies, and the implementation of a diverse range of community economic development (CED) projects.

[ register here ]

June 2nd 17:00 to 18:00 [GMT (London) Time]

JOY OF THE PEOPLE, ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, USA
Joy of the People was one of 12 organizations to take on older City of St. Paul-owned neighborhood recreation centers several years ago. Ted Kroeten, Founder and Director, outlines the innovative ‘express yourself’ soccer program that draws kids of all income ranges from across the city – fees are charged but these cover bursaries for poorer kids.

TYBURN COMMUNITY LIBRARY/CASTLE VALE SWIMMING POOL, BIRMINGHAM, UK
Like many UK local authorities, Birmingham City Council, has had to make substantial spending cuts. The city’s Castle Vale area has recently seen both the library and swimming pools adopted by social enterprises to keep them open – both ‘firsts’ in the city. A local social enterprise, the Castle Vale Tenants and Residents Alliance, has adopted the library and plays a key role in the non-profit established to manage the pool. Judy Tullett, Head of Enterprise and Development at the Alliance, will reflect on lessons from the two transfers and the business plans being put in place to sustain (and improve) the two assets.

About The New Barn-Raising

The New Barn-Raising is an initiative to encourage the exchange of international best practice around sustaining community and civic assets such as parks, recreation centers, libraries, neighborhood stores, senior centers, museums and theaters. These are places and spaces characterized by a high degree of accessibility, popularity and sense of belonging to 'the people'.

The term New Barn-Raising refers to how different groups (business, citizens, foundations, non-profits groups, politicians, social entrepreneurs, social investors, taxpayers and unions) can all pull together to support assets.

[ read more ]

17:00 to 18:00 GMT
(London Time)

THE BEIRUT GREEN PROJECT, LEBANON
Dima Boulad, a Lebanese designer, co-founded the Beirut Green Project in 2011. This is a collective aimed at creating more public green spaces in Beirut and bringing awareness to the importance of them being a right rather than a privilege. Dima will outline the project’s: innovative awareness-raising on greenspace; the Beirut Green Guide; and the different initiatives in beirut that are contributing to that goal.

BRUSSELS' MUSEUM NIGHT, BELGIUM
Pieter Van der Gheynst of the Brussels Museums Council will introduce the Council’s awareness work - in particular its annual Museum Night. This major event sees the collective marketing of the Belgian capital city's museums. There are guided tours and activities linked to the permanent and temporary exhibitions of 25 museums. The program is heavily focused on, and shaped by, young people – activities in the venues include dance, music, performances, circus, and theatre.

Read more and register

17:00 to 18:00 GMT (London Time)

LIVE THEATRE, NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, UK
Chief executive Jim Beirne (MBE, FRSA, Dr Litt. (hons)) will outline the theatre's longstanding plans to operate in a context of reduced city council financial support. Three of the theatre's social enterprises are up and running: a small but highly-successful online playwright course, an office development, and a gastropub. The fourth enterprise is a large property development – with the City Council as lender rather than grant-maker.
https://www.live.org.uk/

HENNEPIN THEATRE TRUST, MINNEAPOLIS, USA
Tom Hoch, President and CEO of Hennepin Theatre Trust, will outline how the city government bought three historic theaters that were either closed or moribund, and pulled them back into the public sector fold with a view to improving them. To pay for the investment, the city issued bonds. It has since fulfilled its intention of putting the theaters in the hands of a non-profit, the Hennepin Theatre Trust. The Trust is continuing to operate and program the theaters and repay city investment, whereupon it will then own them outright. Tom will also touch on the Trust's role in Minneapolis's emerging Cultural District.
https://hennepintheatretrust.org/

About The New Barn-Raising

The New Barn-Raising is an initiative to encourage the exchange of international best practice around sustaining community and civic assets such as parks, recreation centers, libraries, neighborhood stores, senior centers, museums and theaters. These are places and spaces characterized by a high degree of accessibility, popularity and sense of belonging to 'the people'.

The term New Barn-Raising refers to how different groups (business, citizens, foundations, non-profits groups, politicians, social entrepreneurs, social investors, taxpayers and unions) can all pull together to support assets.

Read more and register