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Collaborative British Columbia: What We Make Possible Together

Collaborative British Columbia: What We Make Possible Together

Feb 11, 2020 | BC Non-Profit Network, Blog

Collaborative British Columbia: What We Make Possible Together

Planning: Strategy & Workforce
All Blogs

by Vantage Point | Feb 11, 2020

The beginning of the year is often a time for reflecting on the past and envisioning the future. Recently, our team had a "data party" to reflect on our 2019 Key Performance Indicators. Among the data was a section on Vantage Point's provincial reach, signifying how our organizational commitment to the province is increasingly relevant and leading to more collaborations.

This past year, we worked with 36 not-for-profits (NFPs) in communities outside Metro Vancouver and have also begun offering open enrollment workshops in Prince George and the Central and Northern Vancouver Island area. These activities are all part of our renewed focus on strengthening the NFP sector provincially. Therefore, when we reflect on these 36 engagements, we are not simply acknowledging separate and isolated organizations that have increased in capacity. Each is a step towards Vantage Point's long-term vision of an entire sector which is vibrant and sustainable; one which will continue to support all British Columbians through impending changes in climate, economy, governments, and more. Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it will take communities across the province to strengthen BC's NFP sector together. To this end, Vantage Point aspires to participate in ways that embed our team values of abundance, adaptability, collaborations, curiosity, and fun: Abundance by sharing our diverse and growing pool of resources with communities; Adaptability by meeting communities where they are; Collaboration by improving the sector "together"; Curiosity by asking questions; and Fun by enjoying the journey towards the vision.

The good news is communities are already participating and collaboration is very much alive! Municipalities are investing in the sector because they recognize how NFPs enrich the community. For example: the City of Vancouver has been a longstanding partner with us in providing bursaries for their NFP grantees to access our learning opportunities. Cross-sector collaborations are also emerging to create synergies. This summer will mark the start of a 12-month capacity program for NFPs in the Central Okanagan area. The program was made possible through partnerships between the City of Kelowna, Central Okanagan Foundation, First West Credit Union, the Nonprofit Lifecycles Institute, and Vantage Point.

We are also partnering with individuals across the province to strengthen organizations and the communities they serve. Knowledge Philanthropists, our team of skilled volunteers, are facilitating knowledge sharing across BC by delivering educational services locally in their own communities and traveling to others. Together with them, we delivered consulting, customized, and onsite learning sessions to 156 organizations in 2019. A recently launched project, our virtual member working groups provide another platform for peers in the sector to connect and work together on sector-improvement priorities. Moreover, 629 workshops participants enriched peer to peer learning by exchanging their unique experiences and perspectives. Collaboration occurs when we recognize that we each have professional and lived experience to offer and learn from each other.

Evidently, productive collaboration is possible in this sector. When we work together to increase the capacities of NFPs, it means more organizations can achieve their missions effectively. When this happens, we all win. This is especially true if we commit to an equitable approach when we consider which organizations are in most need of increased capacities in financial resources, governance, management, and administrative systems. Which organizations are persistently stuck in a revolving door of capacity deficit and how can we encourage each other to constantly improve equity and inclusion as a sector? We know we are not alone when pondering these big questions.

Sometimes I struggle to comprehend the size of our province. Events like the wildfires are sobering reminders that what happens in one community has ripple effects on others. We are all connected. Within the not-for-profit sector, there is an inspiring collective of "we": we who are working hard on our organizational missions and we who keep aspirational visions for our communities alive.

Across all regions, throughout all communities, we all win when the future is the sum of every organizational visions: an even more beautiful British Columbia that no other sector can imagine or create through such collaborative methods.

Vibrant, healthy, and sustainable BC communities are made possible when we collaborate and uplift each organization in our NFP sector. I look forward to next year's data party and reflecting on 2020 as our most collaborative year yet. Wherever you are in BC, join our provincial network of collaborators and become part of the sustainable BC not-for-profit sector. I look forward to next year's data party and reflecting on 2020 as our most collaborative year yet. Wherever you are in BC, join our provincial network of collaborators today!

Author

Joyce Lin

Joyce is the Sector Development Coordinator for Vantage Point - she facilitates the foundational work involved in Vantage Point’s goals to contribute to a healthy and thriving not-for-profit sector in BC. On any day, she is monitoring and sharing information that will support sector success and...

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Collaborative British Columbia: What We Make Possible Together

A Transition and New Opportunities for the Not-for-Profit Sector

Jan 14, 2020 | Blog

A Transition and New Opportunities for the Not-for-Profit Sector

Planning: Strategy & Workforce
All Blogs

by Vantage Point | Jan 14, 2020

Dear Reader,

This month I will transition from my role at Vantage Point as Director of Capacity Development to a new role as the inaugural Executive Director at Columbia College Society. In this new endeavour I will build and grow the charitable operation of Columbia College to enhance the educational impact of the society within the community. I am thrilled at the opportunity to connect with a new community of people; I'm equally excited to announce the next leader for Vantage Point's efforts to advance a healthy public policy environment for the not-for-profit sector.

Beginning January 15th, Omar Dominguez will join the team as the Director of Government Relations and Sector Development. Omar has fourteen years of experience leading outstanding teams and pioneering initiatives in corporate, philanthropic, not-for-profit, and voluntary organizations. He has advised a broad range of international clients and stakeholders ranging from senior government officials, not-for-profits, business executives, investors, Indigenous groups, and some of the most active developers of affordable housing in this region.

In announcing Omar's role at Vantage Point, the two of us wanted to share some of our thoughts about what might be possible for the sector. We worked as a team to bring our perspectives together in the next section of this article which highlights our passion for Vantage Point's mission and method.

- Mark Friesen

Strengthening communities through a healthy policy environment

From a socio-economic standpoint, many communities around the world are currently struggling. Challenges faced by entire cities and regions include environmental and health impacts from the climate crisis, economic disparity and inequality, and social and cultural isolation.

Fortunately, we have a business and organizing model that is equipped to mobilize communities of people and resources to address these challenges: the not-for-profit business model.

Not-for-profit organizations are built to connect people together with like-minded partners, to rally the support of our largest institutions, and to focus resources exclusively on creating the future we want to see in our communities. This might mean a new playground for our kids, protecting an ancient forest, setting up a clothing exchange, or making accessible health supports available for each other. The not-for-profit organizing model can repatriate wealth unjustly extracted from communities and return it to the public realm. Not-for-profits can access all resource types: skilled volunteers, gifts in-kind, donations, earned revenues, government funding, enterprise revenues, capital donations, grants, memberships, sponsorships, and more.

Yet, despite their critical influence on the quality of life for British Columbians, not-for-profits are in many ways suffocating under economic policies and regulations which undermine their efforts. In 2019, a Senate report on the Canadian charitable sector found that while community-based organizations are resilient and innovative, their potential is limited by complex, outdated rules and a lack of coordinated government support.1 This is a problem because community-based organizations support every aspect of our lives.

For far too long, the Canadian charitable and not-for-profit sector has been neglected in an unfortunate regulatory limbo. Currently there is no clearly identified ministerial department at the Federal or Provincial level responsible to direct government services for this essential sector of our economy. Without proper oversight, the sector also lacks reliable and comprehensive data to support research and evidence-based decision-making. In this regulatory vacuum, small and grass roots community service groups in BC have been forced to work in fierce competition for dwindling funding sources.

In the last six years at Vantage Point we have had the privilege to witness the incredible impact which comes with a focus on people and an investment in capacity building in the not-for-profit sector. We ask "who?" before "how much will it cost?", and always look for partnerships and collaborations across the province. Through this method, Vantage Point has delivered customized capacity building services, workshops, and consulting projects with a profound impact on not-for-profit leaders and their organizations:

 

Overall, the outcomes for Early Music Vancouver were everything we hoped for. We ended up with strong consensus of who we are, and what we are striving to achieve, all within a defined structure... This clarity and consensus have energized and galvanized our Board, Staff, and volunteers..."

 

Tim Rendell, Early Music Vancouver

In that time, we've seen our own capacity grow. In 2014 we engaged with 79 organizations in customized engagements. Last year we were able to support 169 organizations with individualized training or consulting services. With our growing exposure to the realities faced by so many not-for-profits in different sectors, it has become clear: a key dimension to a healthy not-for-profit sector is a healthy public policy environment. Which is why - beginning last year - we began working on a strategy to undertake policy advocacy with sector partners.

We are excited about the opportunities to bring forth the voice of the not-for-profit sector in our province. We know there are an abundance of opportunities to convene public dialogue and collaboration. A regulatory framework that supports not-for-profit groups is possible. At the same time, we acknowledge there is significant work ahead of us.

Over 116,000 employees2 and an estimated 3.1 million volunteers3 work to help deliver $6.1 billion in programs and services to the population. Not-for-profits are among BC's largest employers and should be able to receive similar services and taxation treatment set in place to support growth, innovation, and resilience among small business. Additionally, we must develop an environment which gives these organizations greater latitude to undertake revenue-generating activities to further their mandate. These actions will ultimately strengthen communities and help bring people together to address the critical challenges we face.

This is what we are working towards at Vantage Point: fair opportunities for growth in BC's not-for-profit sector and a stable environment for decent work. Want to be part of the change? Consider this a call to action: reach out to our team to be connected with a growing community of sector champions!

 

1Mercer, T., Ratna Omidvar. (2019). Catalyst for Change: A Roadmap to a Stronger Charitable Sector. Ottawa, Ontario: Senate Special Committee on the Charitable Sector. 190.

2Statistics Canada. (2020). Table 36-10-0615-01 Employment in non-profit institutions by activity (x 1,000). Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.25318/3610061501-eng.

3Vancouver Foundation. (2019). Vital Signs Community Clusters: British Columbia. Vancouver, BC: Vancouver Foundation. Retrieved from https://vancouverfoundationvitalsigns.ca/reports/. Pg. 8.

4Image Credit: Photo by Peter Lewis on Unsplash.

Author

Omar Dominguez

Omar is our Director of Government Relations and Sector Development. What does this mean? He provides leadership in Vantage Point’s mission to build the capacity of BC’s not-for-profit sector through membership engagement, sector development, and government relations. Basically, Omar does a lot....

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Collaborative British Columbia: What We Make Possible Together

Be Involved and Stay Informed on Public Policy that Impacts Your Not-for-Profit

Oct 17, 2019 | BC Non-Profit Network, Blog, Policy and Advocacy

Be Involved and Stay Informed on Public Policy that Impacts Your Not-for-Profit

Planning: Strategy & Workforce
All Blogs

by Vantage Point | Oct 17, 2019

As a not-for-profit organization with a history spanning over seven decades, Vantage Point has experienced many transitions over the years. Our most significant change was from a volunteer centre to a capacity-building focus for not-for-profit organizations. Throughout each adaptation, we have maintained an ongoing focus of supporting the not-for-profit sector.

We love working one-on-one with our clients - the people behind not-for-profit organizations throughout the province. In the process we have learned about many common challenges the sector faces.

We have realized a key dimension to building the capacity of not-for-profits is to build a strong public policy environment; to develop and share policies and regulatory changes which have a positive impact on organizations like yours.

Join us as we move into public policy advocacy

After extensive planning and ongoing dialogue with our partners, we have decided to provide additional support to our organizational members in public policy advocacy.

Members will now receive several new benefits, supports, and access to a community of leaders throughout the province. This includes essential tools to engage in public pollicy advocacy. Additionally, we will be convening members and sector leaders to work together to address the most critical topics that impact every not-for-profit organization in BC.

By building membership in this way, we will amplify the voice of not-for-profit organizations frome very sub-sector. Our goal is to work with leaders in advocacy, our members, and our partners to address the issues that impact the entire not-for-profit sector and find powerful solutions together.

What types of advocacy have we done to date?

When the Ministry of Finance announced the Employer Health Tax, we worked with leaders in health, housing, community services, and arts and culture organizations to communicate the impact of the proposed changes to the Ministry.

This year, to create a submission for the Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services, we worked with other provincial organizations to identify common recommendations for the 2020 BC Budget. One recommendation focused on making changes to the way Community Gaming Grants are reviewed and administered.

These are the types of changes we strive to continue recommending with your input.

What will this look like going forward?

True democracy means every voice being heard, and that means yours. We encourage you to join us as an organizational member and be involved in our sector advocacy work. Your board, staff, and volunteers all receive access to our member benefits when you sign up!

Here are the four NEW ways organizational members benefit:

  • Receive updates on key issues that impact BC's not-for-profit sector
  • The opportunity to have your say on sector issues through our online, forum-style working groups
  • Grow your network through member convening events such as coworking days and webinars
  • Shape Vantage Point's public policy recommendations

Even better: all the previously existing membership benefits are here to stay! This includes access to post on Govolunteer.ca, the ability to take out books from our library, and discounts on workshops & our annual BOSS conference.

We want to hear from you!

As we venture into this new area, your voice is key. Tell us what aspects you are most excited about. As an ever-evolving organization, we are eager for this work to grow into areas that benefit our members even more. Connect, engage, and share your experience with us! At Vantage Point, we are a living laboratory, and we strive to be adaptive and relevant for our members and the not-for-profit sector.

To learn more or become a member visit our membership page.

If you have any questions about membership, we would love to answer them! You can reach myself, Mark Friesen, Director of Capacity Development at mfriesen@thevantagepoint.ca.

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Collaborative British Columbia: What We Make Possible Together

Embedding Team Values

Oct 9, 2019 | Blog

Embedding Team Values

Culture: People First
All Blogs

by Vantage Point | Oct 9, 2019

Vantage Point is often engaged to facilitate board and staff team efforts to develop organizational or team values. We deeply believe in the impact that clear and aligned values have on driving high performing teams, ultimately generating more mission impact. Though the creation of shared team values is essential, an equally important next step is to determine how to effectively "implement" or "embed" the values across the team or organization.

When the Vantage Point staff faced this very challenge, I did some research on our staff Pro-D Day and came across lots of interesting ways to strengthen team alignment to values. One of those ideas was to ask all team members to consider which value they are most proud of, and why. So I did. Here's what team members had to say!

Shemin: The team value that has touched my heart is that of Abundance. After an extended absence from the work force for raising my children, I returned to work. It was an exciting time for me but, honestly, I was also very nervous. I had limited technology skills and struggled to adjust but my team was patient and answered all my never-ending questions! Through their encouragmenet, I developed new skills, had the courage to take on challenges, and ask for support when needed. I am still learning new things and have the comfort to know that my questions will always be answered! I am fortunate to be part of the Vantage Point team - it is truly Abundant!!

Nav: Collaboration is the team value of ours that I am the proudest of. I am a firm believer in the possibilities of collaboration and the magic that comes out of using everyone's strengths and skills to make a project go from good to amazing! We're pretty good at collaboration here at Vantage Point through our entire team of staff, board, and knowledge philanthropists and have been able to tackle some ground-braking work along the way.

Amanda: I am most proud of our team value of Curiosity because I love to continuously learn, grow, and improve to be the best possible.

Shagun: It is our team value of Abundance that I cherish and appreciate the most. It not only resonates what I personally believe in but flows through our work ethics and organizational values. Being an eternal optimist, I always see the glass half full, focus on the strengths rather than weaknesses and feel the more I give the more I receive. This spirit of abundance as exhibited everyday in small and big ways by my team and our Knowledge Philanthropists humbles me and makes me feel so fortunate to be working with these generous brains and hearts!

Joyce: As a newbie, I am most proud of recently joining this team that values Abundance and puts it into practice. I have only ever worked in the not-for-profit secotr, where abundance is commonly acknowledged in the ability to do a lot with very little, but also commonly forgotten when there is a hyper-focus on the "very little" part. I'm grateful that our team celebrates the "a lot" part everyday, even - and especially - when it may be "a lot" of challenges, risks, and experimenting. We are not just a safe space, but a courageous space where the spirit of abundance encourages us to be generous, boldly own, and share our experience no matter the result.

Kathleen: I'm most proud of our value of Collaboration. Each person brings different expertise and perspectives to a project, and by working together we create a product that is better than any one of us could create independently. Plus, the frequent collaboration quenches my thirst to learn.

Rowan: One Vantage Point value I love (if I were to choose just one) is Curiosity, because I am a firm believer in making learning a habit. Approaching life with an open mind and listening as well as asking questions before coming to conclusions is a personal value I do my best to strive for - despite not always executing at 100%. Every question we don't know the answer to is an opportunity for growth!

Alison: For me its Collaboration, (though I am enthusiastic about them all!) because everything is better with a partner. We all have things we can do on our own, but it is through collaboration that the beautiful things happen - babies, music, picnics, change. And to me collaboration is about mutual respect, celbrating differences, learning new things and building on strengths (aka adaptability, abundance, curiosity, and fun!)

Niasha: I am most fond of our team value of Curiosity. There is always space to share knowledge and excitement about our work or personal interests. Whether on Slack or at our lunch gatherings, team members are always open to listening and engaging in conversation about whatever topic is presented.

Lisa: The value that I am most proud of it Abundance. The power of abundant language can't be overstated, it is truly transformative, with such little effort. We have mugs at home that say, "this cup is half full," and I love reading that while drinking my morning coffee. It also provides me and my family with a - not so - subtle reminder that we always have a choice about how we look at situations, relationships, work, and life in general. Only we can determine what our perspective will be. It is powerful to have this value supported in my workplace. This ensures we support each other to make the choice to strive for abundance, in language and attitude. One of the faves is: rather than "Sorry for the delayed response" say "Thanks for your patience." See, don't you feel better already?

Miranda: It's hard to pick one value as they work together so well! The one that stands out for me, though, is Collaboration. My best weeks at Vantage Point are when I get to work with team members to solve a problem or support a larger project. WHen we're in collaboration mode, we're in it together.

I get the final say: I am most proud of our team value of Fun, because it aligns so closely to my own personal values. Both outside and in the office, I try not to take life too seriously to find joy and laughter at every turn. I adore sharing happy - and often silly - moments with the team here at Vantage Point, including sharing our favourite shows, laughing at the skills we don't all necessarily share (specifically, the ability to draw in my case!), and giggling or sitting awestruck at the photos of one-another's moments outside the office.

Which organizational team value do you value, and why? Consider sharing the answer with your colleagues, fellow board members, or your community this Thanksgiving.

Author

Maria Turnbull

Maria Turnbull brings over 20 years of leadership experience in staff and director roles within the not-for-profit sector, both here in Canada and in the UK. With a BA in International Relations and MBA, Maria is a skilled facilitator and consultant in board governance, organizational development,...

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Collaborative British Columbia: What We Make Possible Together

The BC Budget 2020 Consultation: A guide for conversations with your local MLA

Aug 28, 2019 | BC Non-Profit Network, Blog, Government Relations

The BC Budget 2020 Consultation: A guide for conversations with your local MLA

Culture: People First
All Blogs

by Vantage Point | Aug 28, 2019

Each year, the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services conducts a consultation with the public and develops a report of recommendations for the BC budget. The consultation process went from June 3, 2019 to June 28, 2019 and the Budget 2020 Consultation report was published on August 7, 2019.

All submissions for the consultation can be found here – which includes many not-for-profit organizations (Access BC, Canadian Mental Health Association, the BC Alliance for Arts and Culture, David Suzuki Foundation, Board Voice, Pacific Legal Education Outreach Society, and many more). Alison Brewin and Mark Friesen from Vantage Point provided an oral presentation, and our submission can be found here. We advocated for the provincial government to invest in our sector, build the capacity of community-based organizations, and improve government systems of support (such as Gaming and the Registrar’s office).

The Report

The BC government will refer to this report when building the 2020 budget. However, the government is not bound by these recommendations. We have an opportunity to highlight the recommendations that benefit BC not-for-profits to provincial decision-makers. By working together, we can ensure recommendations supporting the sector become priorities for the BC Budget 2020.

Many of the report’s findings align with the goals and interests of the not-for-profit sector. Here are some of the key recommendations we found:

  • Collaborating with, partnering with, and supporting indigenous communities and working towards reconciliation
  • Providing comprehensive supports to youth formerly in care
  • Investing in water sustainability, renewable energy, fish and wildlife conservation, species at risk, and invasive species prevention
  • Supporting individuals experiencing gender-based violence
  • Increasing investments in community care
  • Investing in health supports for seniors, individuals with chronic diseases, mental health, and addiction needs
  • Providing stable multi-year funding to many initiatives generally, as well as several specific not-for-profit organizations

We would like to highlight recommendation #94 which refers to the Community Gaming Grants:

“94. Review the purpose and methodology of the Community Gaming Grants program to ensure it meets the needs of communities, including moving toward the provision of multi-year grants for community organizations.”

This recommendation is great news for the sector. So many BC not-for-profits rely on funding from Community Gaming. Clarity around the purpose of these grants and community needs would add greater value to this program.

We noticed there are no recommendations to support transitions around the Societies Act. Not-for-profits could really benefit from funds towards training to ensure they are complying with the Societies Act, especially with the amendments coming this fall.

What’s next?

The full list of 106 recommendations are summarized on page 83 to 92 of the report. We encourage you and your colleagues review the summary and identify key recommendations for your organization.

The BC Budget is expected in February 2020. This fall is our opportunity to highlight priorities we have in the not-for-profit sector.

We encourage you to reach out to MLAs in your riding and talk to them about the priorities which impact your organization. If your organization receives Community Gaming grants, consider highlighting recommendation #94 above. The BC 2020 Budget Consultation report is a great reference to guide these conversations – both to address key recommendations & findings in the report and what is missing.

Vantage Point members: let us know if you would like support reaching out to your local MLA and structuring a conversation around support for the not-for-profit sector! Not a member? Learn how to sign up here.

Author

Miranda Maslany

Miranda leads Vantage Point's membership program and coordinates our government relations work. She has always had a passion for environmental issues and completed a Double Major in Environmental Studies and Sociology, with a Minor in Business at the University of Victoria.

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