March 2008

You are here

Home

 

**An incomplete version of this newsletter was accidentally sent by our system. Please accept our sincere apologies for any inconvenience. Thank-you!**

 

 

In this issue you will find:

Send job postings, events and other resources to:

Nicole Chaland
CCEDNet - BC /Yukon Coordinator
nchaland [at] ccednet-rcdec.ca

SFU Certificate Program for Community Economic Development Professionals

Register now for upcoming courses of the SFU Community Economic Development Certificate (CED) Program for Professionals!

The program provides opportunities for thoughtful exploration and practical learning in the critical elements of CED values and principles, enterprise development, financing, planning and research, community participation and sustainability. The range of courses provides an excellent grounding for practitioners in a variety of workplaces and settings.

"This type of professional development in CED can really help in putting together workable ideas that achieve financial, social & environmental results." Dave Mowat, former CEO, Vancity

Upcoming Courses:

CED Approaches to Affordable Housing
This course examines housing stock from the point of view of how it influences a community's environmental, social and economic health as well as pragmatic tools to develop affordable housing. Nicole Chaland & Pascale Knoglinger are founding board members of a co-operatively-owned development company for affordable housing in Victoria BC.(website)

Vancouver: April 18-19, 2008
Victoria: May 9-10, 2008

Visit our website for more information.

2008 National CED Conference

 


May 21-24, 2008, University of Saskatchewan,
Saskatoon, Sask.

 

Registration Now Open!


REGISTER FOR CANADA'S PREMIER ANNUAL COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EVENT!

Catch the Waves of Change with 400 other community practitioners, civil society representatives, academics, government partners, and citizens from across Canada in vibrant Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Key themes for 2008 include Building Fairer & Stronger Local Economies, Tackling Poverty & Homelessness, and Investing in Sustainable Communities

Registration is now open! Don't forget that the deadline to receive the early bird discount is April 18th. Please watch your inbox for more details to come, and check www.ccednet-rcdec.ca for regular updates!

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Over 40 workshop and action sessions will explore best practices in poverty reduction; social enterprise; sustainable solutions; youth CED; women & CED; immigrant CED; policy; research; and much more!
• Engaging plenary sessions including Saskatchewan's own Paul Wilkinson and Peru's Nedda Angulo Villareal; a marketplace featuring outstanding community initiatives; and innovative participatory action sessions giving you the tools to create real change in your communities!
• Shoulder events including the Canadian CED Network AGM, and interesting site visits to local initiatives.
• Celebratory networking, dining, and social activities combined with multiple opportunities to learn about the vibrant culture of the Prairie region.
• The campus of the University of Saskatchewan provides a perfect venue for four days of engaged learning, networking, and information sharing.


The 2008 National CED Conference is hosted by the Canadian CED Network in partnership with Quint Development Corporation

For more information on the 2008 National CED Conference, click here!

 

Training Enterprises work where other labour market strategies fail
Nicole Chaland

As homelessness in BC is predicted to continue to grow and labour market shortages are blamed for holding back business growth, the BC government has entered into a new agreement with the federal government to deliver employment related programs. As the private market and public services have failed to find solutions to these issues, the BC government would do well to look to the social economy for help.

How about BC government funding for developing training enterprises as models of inclusion for those who are most disadvantaged! Why not? Training enterprises provide on the job training for those with multiple barriers to entering the labour market. They are welcoming places that can adapt to the needs of people with mental illness or drug recovery. Training enterprises also provide much-needed income. They are a proven model of social and economic inclusion for those who find regular classroom training simply doesn't work. In addition, training enterprises generate sales revenue-mixing social services with entrepreneurial savvy-and also contribute to offsetting the cost of delivering social services which generates substantial savings to the tax-payer.

So far, not enough research has been done on this model of employment services, but there is enough evidence that shows superior results. It is irresponsible of government to not look at this model seriously. With the recent signing of two new labour market agreements, the timing couldn't be better.

On February 20, 2008, British Columbia and Canada signed the Labour Market Agreement (LMA) and the Labour Market Development Agreement (LMDA). The LMA is for employment services for those who are unemployed, have low literacy levels or little education, but are not eligible for Employment Insurance (EI) and EI programs. In other words, the LMA is for services to assist people who likely fall between the gaps. The LMDA is an agreement to deliver self-employment assistance, wage-subsidy and training programs - EI programs currently provided by the federal government. These agreements mean that the provincial government will manage all employment programs.

Community-based agencies and corporations which directly deliver the services and programs to people in BC will no longer contract with the federal government and, instead, will contract with the BC government. Community-based employment agencies are now negotiating with the provincial government to ensure that the programs are designed in a way that benefits the workers seeking training and better employment. This is a good opportunity for the community economic development movement to advocate for integrated services and other proven models of employment and inclusion, like training enterprises.

To learn more about integrated service delivery read CCEDNet's case study of the Learning Enrichment Foundation.

To learn more about training enterprises read CCEDNet's case study of The Right Stuff (.pdf), a training enterprises that serves youth who do not fall between the gaps of training programs.

The BC Career and Workforce Development Alliance calls on government to work with community-based employment and training professionals in planning new programs. Sign up to receive updates on the LMDA from the BC Career and Workforce Development Alliance. www.bclmda.ca

Read the full agreement here www.workbc.ca

 

CCEDNet 2008 AGM News!

CCEDNet's next Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on May 24th, 2008 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Please take the time to review the new improvements to our governance structure. Including:

1. ONLINE VOTING
• To address the need to democratize our voting procedures, the membership of CCEDNet approved online voting at our last AGM. This means that members in good standing will be eligible to vote online for the board of directors. Please note that to be a member in good standing, CCEDNet membership fees must be paid in full by April 3rd, 2008.

• Members will visit CCEDNet's website (www.ccednet-rcdec.ca) to cast their ballot. All information (including nominations documents, candidate profiles,etc.) will be available on our website. Members who do not have ready access to email/internet must notify CCEDNet to ensure receipt of a mail-in ballot. This is the responsibility of the member.

• Online voting will begin on Friday, April 25th, at midnight PST and run for a duration of two weeks, ending on Friday, May 9th at midnight PST.

• More information about our new online voting procedures can be found in the Call for Nominations document. Please note that all members in good standing will receive further voting instructions and AGM information by April 11th.


2. RESOLUTIONS PROCEDURE
• This year, resolutions will only be accepted prior to the AGM. Approved resolutions will be posted on CCEDNet's website for full review 21 days prior to the AGM. Any CCEDNet member in good standing is eligible to submit a resolution.

• Voting on the resolutions will take place at the AGM. For more information on the new resolution procedures, please see the documents attached.

We would like to take this opportunity to remind those who have not yet paid their 2008 membership fee that in order to be eligible to vote online, all member fees must be paid in full by April 3rd, 2008.

Renew your membership now online!

If you have any questions or concerns about your membership status and/or the work of the Network, please don't hesitate to contact our national office (bmathieu@ccednet-rcdec.ca) or call 1-877-202-2268.

Also note that a benefit of being a member in good standing is a discounted registration for the 2008 National Conference. Registration for the conference is now open!

New! Why is it so tough to get ahead? How our tangled social programs pathologize the transition to self-reliance," by John Stapleton
This quarter's issue of Maytree Policy in Focus is available now. The issue, "Poorly coordinated programs make it difficult for low income workers to improve their financial situation," discusses "Why is it so tough to get ahead? How our tangled social programs pathologize the transition to self-reliance," by John Stapleton. (PDF)

Edmonton-Social Enterprise Fund will grow to meet an estimated demand of more that $63 million over the next three years for social enterprises and housing projects.
A new Social Enterprise Fund will be capitalized with $10.5 million raised from grants, donations and investments - including $1.8 million, already committed by The City of Edmonton. Managed and administered by the Edmonton Community Foundation with investment and intellectual partnership from The City of Edmonton and other political and economic leaders in the community, the Fund will grow to meet an estimated demand of more that $63 million over the next three years from organizations operating, expanding or developing social enterprises and housing projects in Edmonton and area.

FREE ONLINE SEARCHABLE DIRECTORY OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS IN BC
Here at CCEDNet we facilitate peer to peer learning and reflection. We have working groups that delve deep into specific issues; our National CED Conference is our flagship opportunity to share best practices and learn from community economic development practitioners from every region in Canada. We also have a free online searchable directory that lists hundreds of community development organizations. You will find co-ops, women-centred CED, community food groups, youth programs, neighbourhood renewal corporations and more. Add your organization!

Click here to check it out!

FREE ONLINE LIBRARY OF SOCIAL CHANGE TOOLS & RESOURCES
CCEDNet has compiled a vast library of resources to help you create change in communities. You'll find everything from A Guide to Neighbourhood Renewal to Young Women Work: Community Economic Development to Reduce Women's Poverty and Improve Income.

There are hundreds of tools and resources that have been developed by community development practitioners and community-based researchers. Our toolbox is growing; if you would like to share materials you have developed, send them to ebrocklebank@ccednet-rcdec.ca.

Click here to check out our toolbox!

 

 

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES


BC Healthy Communities Seed Grants (Round III)
BCHC Seed Grants are small ($2,500.00), one-time-only funding opportunities that encourage and support efforts to improve community well-being and capacity building throughout the province. Seed Grants support local and regional groups to undertake activities and processes that integrate the Healthy Communities approach into everyday thinking and practice.
Deadline to apply is May 1, 2008.
(website)

GENERAL STRATEGIC PRIORITIES FUND (GSPF) AND INNOVATIONS FUND (IF) PROGRAM. The second intake of applications for the General Strategic Priorities Fund and the Innovations Fund under the Gas Tax/Public Transit Program are now being accepted.
Program guides, application forms and other information are available for download on the UBCM website. (website)

The Social Economy Research Network of Northern Canada invites applications for research projects dealing with the Social Economy in the North. Funding is available to support research that fits within the context of the Social Economy Research Network of Northern Canada. The overall goal of this Research Network is to bring together researchers and practitioners working on issues relevant to the social economy in northern Canada (Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Nunavik and Labrador). The Network has established four broad research themes for Social Economy research with coordinators located at four Canadian Universities. Subprojects should fit within one of these research themes and complement the overall activities and objectives of the program. (website)

EVENTS

March 20 (6-8pm): Vancouver
Women in Social Enterprise
In celebration of International Women's Month, the March Learning Event will be a panel of women from a variety of social enterprises sharing and answering questions about their experiences working in and leading social enterprise endeavours. (website)

March 28, 2008: Vancouver
Public Dialogue: Exploring the Future of Health and Community in BC
Please join Imagine BC delegates and guests in conversation with Mark Forsythe, host of CBC's BC Almanac, as they discuss the creation of healthy, resilient communities in BC with a focus on making these communities healthy for youth, seniors, and those who are often marginalized. Add your voice to this important conversation and consider actionable steps to create resilient communities in BC. More information can be found here (this event is free, but requires registration).

April 2-5, 2008: Vancouver
Canadian Housing Renewal Association's Annual Congress with keynote speaker, Brendan Reimer of the Canadian CED Network discussing "Social Enterprise in Canada - Today and Tomorrow" For more information, click here.

Spring Social Enterprise Workshops / Orientation Sessions (Website)
April 3, 2008: Grand Forks
April 8, 2008: Smithers
April 16, 2008: Tumbler Ridge

May 15-16, 2008: Prince George
Space to Place: The Next Rural Economies Workshop
The Community Development Institute at the University of Northern BC (UNBC) and the Enterprise Program at Simon Fraser University (SFU) are co-hosting this workshop which brings together twenty-three rural and small town scholars from eight OECD countries to discuss possibilities about what our next rural economies will look like.

Older approaches to community and economic development focused upon a ‘space-economy' with attention to comparative advantages and overcoming the cost of distances. This approach is being replaced by recognition of the growing importance of ‘place-based economies' where the unique attributes and assets of individual places now determine its attractiveness for particular types of activities and investments. (website)

May 21-22, 2008: Saskatoon
Waves of Change: Building People Centred Economies
2008 National Community Economic Development Conference
Join members of the Canadian CED Network for our 8th National Conference, held in partnership with Quint Development Corporation in Saskatoon. Every year CCEDNet welcomes over 400 delegates from every region in Canada for this premier networking event of social entrepreneurs, economic development officers, credit union and co-op leaders, youth activists, academics and many more who share the values and goals of CED. This year, expect a feisty, dynamic conference in which we get down to brass tacks and develop action plans that will elevate CED to a national concern. The most skilled CED practitioners in Canada offer over 30 professional development workshops in addition to knowledgeable panels and action planning sessions. Don't miss out!
Click here for more information or to register now!

May 28 - June 1, 2008: Cortez Island
Social Change Institute 2008: Building Power for Change
The Social Change Institute is an opportunity to connect with social change leaders to build skills, share strategies and uncover opportunities to collaborate. The Institute was created to provide social change leaders with a unique opportunity to explore increasing their impact in the world. More information and registration here.

June 5 - 6, 2008: Quebec City
World Social Finance Summit 2008
Locally and globally, we need to grow in our ability to communicate our vision of just finance. We need to find ways to propose and to organise financial practices that bring lasting change and just and fair access to responsible financial resources for sustainable development. Exchanges, mutual linkage and support, speaking out, innovation and acting together are at the heart of this Summit. It includes an opportunity to visit social economy and social finance projects. Hosted by INAISE and the Caisse d'économie solidaire Desjardins. (website)

JOBS

Executive Director: United Way of the Fraser Valley
Deadline: March 20, 2008
(website)

Public Engagement Officer: CUSO
Deadline: March 25, 2008
CUSO, National Office
(website)

Industry Initiatives Coordinator: Building Opportunities with Business Inner City Society
Deadline: March 27, 2008
Contact: natasha.slack@bobics.org

Partner Engagement Coordinator: BC Social Venture Partners
Deadline: March 28, 2008
(website)

Urban Aboriginal Community Kitchen Garden Project Coordinator: Vancouver Native Health Society
Deadline: March 31, 2008
(website)

Program Assistant: Canadian Community Economic Development Network
Deadline: March 31, 2008
(website)

 

Taxonomy upgrade extras: 
BC Bulletin