Friday May 25th

9:00 – 10:45am   
Strategic Dialogue- All the World’s Gone Green: Charting a new Environmental Pathway (Olatunji Hall)

Merran Smith- ForestEthics, Rick Smith- Environmental Defense, Will Horter-Dogwood Initiative, Nathan Cullen- MP Skeena-Buckley Valley NDP
           
Support for the environment is at an unprecedented level in Canadian public opinion.  The issues around climate change are driving an upsurge in support for ‘sustainability’ issues from all quarters including government and business.  There is a tidal wave of green consumerism.  The media coverage is near saturation, and political leaders are jockeying for the position of who is the greenest.

What does the environmental movement need to do in order to capture this upsurge in awareness and support.  How do we maintain a leadership role?  Or do we, what is our role now?  How do we make sure that new policy initiatives are substantive and visionary enough to ensure lasting change?  How do we ensure that this is not just a bubble that will soon burst and have us all return to status-quo?  How can we act in new ways that reflect this new reality?  This moment in time, is what every social movement hopes for.  How do we make the most of it?  What can we learn from other movements and what can other movements learn from us.

11:15 - 12:45pm      
Interactive Sessions
           
Workshop A: 

Leadership- “Who am I to Change the World?”        

Adrienne Marie-Brown, The Ruckus Society (Bluff)

In a world of external change, it’s wise to take time to reflect on our own process of change.   What is the unique part that you are playing in the movement for social change? What keeps you going when you doubt? What obstacles may prevent you from doing the best work of your life?  With guided exercises and interactive sharing, we will explore just who we think we are to change the world, and work with the first person of social change - ourselves. 

Workshop B:

Collaboration- “Curious Chemistry of Coalitions”

Julian Griggs, Dovetail Consulting (Kaikum)
           
Coalitions are arrangements of groups that have decided to work together on a shared initiative. In the context of social change, coalitions are often formed to combine the strengths of many organizations and to align resources and efforts in the face of opposition and limited funding. But some coalitions seem to find the right chemistry and find a way to ‘kick ass,’ while others flounder amidst acrimonious debate over personalities, funding, competing agendas and conflicts over recognition or rewards for success. Given their apparent potential, why is this the case? How can we avoid the sad epitaph from one coalition veteran, who when asked to comment on the achievements of a lengthy coalition initiative said, “Well, we went to a lot of meetings!”
This short session introduces a model for coalitions, and provides a framework for understanding various stages in their formation and development. Through a simulation and group discussions, participants will also be able to highlight some of the challenges of working in coalitions, and identify tools and strategies to ensure that the coalitions they may engage in are more effective.
           
Case Study C:

Building Bridges, Shifting Perspectives and Embracing Diversity: the opportunities and challenges in multi-stakeholder processes

Lisa Gibson, Living in Community (Raven)

Living in Community is a two-year project looking at the impacts of sex work on communities throughout Vancouver.  The project aims to encourage dialogue among diverse groups, including sex workers, residents, businesses, community organizations, police and government to build mutually supportive relationships that will promote positive change.  In June 2007, Living in Community will be releasing its report and recommendations about ways to make communities healthier and safer for all community members around issues associated with sex work and sexual exploitation.

This case study will be an opportunity to reflect on what social change really is and the kind of change that has come about over the past two years. Sex work is often a highly contentious issue and the people involved in Living in Community come from diverse backgrounds with varying experiences and relationships to the sex trade. We will explore the benefits, challenges, limitations and opportunities that are created when working in an environment where stakeholders have widely divergent values, political perspectives and relationships to power structures.  We will also examine the role of dialogue and storytelling that connects personal shifts with larger cultural shifts.

Case Study D:

Tamarack Community Model- “Vibrant Communities: Partnership and Vision as Power” (Olatunji Hall)

Paul Born, Tamarack

Vibrant Communities is a community-driven effort to reduce poverty in Canada by creating partnerships between people, organizations, businesses and governments. It’s a unique approach to poverty reduction that allows communities to learn from — and help — each other. Vibrant Communities links communities across Canada, from British Columbia to Newfoundland, in a collective effort to test the most effective ways to reduce poverty at the grassroots level.
VC uses four key approaches:

• Comprehensive local initiatives aimed at poverty reduction;
• Grassroots collaboration involving all sectors of the community in these initiatives;
• Identifying community assets and putting them to good use in poverty-reduction efforts;
• A commitment to learning, change and sharing learnings – whether they are the product of successes or failures.
  

Vibrant Communities and Tamarack Founder Paul Born, will  share what he has learned about multi sector collaboration and the importance of place, community and collaboration for making a lasting impact. He will also talk about the role of bold visioning in inspiring others to get involved and transform social issues. A candid discussion about the successes and challenges will be part of this workshop, including what he did personally and professionally to overcome barriers to success and collaboration.

2:30 - 4:00pm    

Collaboration and Movement Building- A Philanthropic Perspective (Olatunji Hall)

Moderated by Tim Draimin, Tides Canada Foundation.  Panel includes Jacqueline Borden-Conyers, Kellogg Foundation, Bruce Lourie- Ivey Foundation, Joel Solomon-Endswell Foundation

Foundations’ social change funding strategies have evolved enormously over the past decade.  Increasingly funders are focusing their objectives, and not just expecting a clearer articulation of outcomes by grantees.  Funders are now looking at how grantees collaborate strategically together – in new ways, over longer periods of time – to achieve more ambitious goals than are possible by individual organizations.  How do funders see movement-building as a social change strategy? And what are the implications for the nonprofits who receive grants? This plenary will be led by experienced grant makers (large and small, Canadian and US) who are working to strengthen key movements for change.

4:20 – 5:30pm    

Farmer’s Market of Ideas (Olatunji Hall)

Hosted by Pam Chalout-Renewal Partners
           
Join a fast-paced, social networking hour where you can introduce yourself and your work to the community and connect with others. Sign up is required and you will have two minutes to make your introduction and present your work. Prizes given for flair and creativity.
See Jennie Reckon to sign up.

8:15 –10:00pm    

Keynote: Medea Benjamin, Global Exchange, Code Pink (Olatunji Hall)


Saturday May 26th


9:00 – 10:45am   

Strategic Dialogue-Peer Strategy Session-Bring your strategic challenge (Olatunji Hall)

Moderated by Darcy Riddell
 
This is your chance to draw on the participant brain trust at the Social Change Institute.  Guided by a facilitator, participants will gather in small groups where 3-4 people have a strategic challenge or issue they present and seek feedback about.  Presenters will have 5 minutes to hit the high points of their issue, and then can sit back and listen to wise words, advice, and inspiration from others.  If you don't have a strategic challenge to share, you can participate by offering your experience to your peers.
 
11:15 - 12:45pm      

Interactive Sessions
           
Case Study A:

Bridging the Divide- Lessons from the CCPA on successful cross-sector collaboration

Seth Klein, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (Bluff)

Drawing on his experience with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives over the past 10 years, Seth will discuss lessons for building cross-sector collaborations that move people out of their silos. Based on his work with projects such as the Resource Economics Project, the Economic Security Project, and the production of alternative federal and provincial budgets, he’ll discuss how environmentalists and trade unionists can be brought together to make common cause, and how disparate social movement partners can successfully collaborate on pushing for an alternative policy agenda. From creating bridges between groups with diverse and often deeply conflicted positions, Seth will share stories on how he structured collaborative projects so that everyone brings and receives value and benefits to their own mission, as well as to the collective good.

Other areas for discussion will be:

• What are the “big issues” on which we must work together, and that form a natural meeting place for big collaborations?
• How do we transform the current reality of many NGOs working on their own projects into a powerful movement for social, economic and environmental justice? 
• How can academics (and their talents) be tugged down from the ivory tower and encouraged to engage with and support community groups?

With a candid take on the pitfalls, blocks and successes experienced by groups that attempt to collaborate, Seth brings insight into the tensions and rewards of collaboration, and its ability to put NGO priorities into the public and political sphere. 

Workshop B:

Personal Growth- Linking Personal Growth to Social Change                   

Ian Curtain and Brad Jarvis, Contact Project (Kiakum)

Personal pain and dysfunction very often affect the success social change achieves.  And, even though we as innovators of social change know that our own growth toward wholeness positively affects the world, we rarely value inner and relational work as much as the outer work of social change. The Contact Project was founded to create a personal development program to increase both effectiveness and satisfaction in innovators/activists working for social change. This experiential workshop will profile our latest research findings, and draw you through processes to identify the barriers you and other activists we've interviewed may face in emphasizing personal growth and development in the course of your work.  We'll also suggest possible approaches that may deepen and support your inner development, and develop relational skills in the work environment. It is our intention that you will leave this session with a clearer understanding of how to move forward in these areas, in the context of your workplace and personal life.

Workshop C:

Change Management- “Changing with Grace: Supporting your Organization through Change”

Deena Chochinov, HR consultant (Raven)

All organizations are dealing with change and it’s always challenging.  Managing change begins with understanding what kind of response is right for the unique changes in your organization.  Change is a process, and your human resources will only go through it at the rate that they can recognize and internalize it.

This session will help you identify the dimensions of and responses to change(s) you are facing. You will be offered tools to deal with the resistance that your staff might be experiencing as well as ways to build their commitment to the change process. We will work with your real-time scenarios to help your organization become more change “adaptive”.

Workshop D:

Government Relations- “How the System Works and How to Work the System”

Sean Moore, Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP (Olatunji Hall)

The key to maximizing the effectiveness of an organization’s public policy advocacy (i.e. lobbying) activity is to base one’s approach on a frank appreciation of how the "system" really works. In other words, how government decisions get made - how a number of key "facts of life" about politics and government, about public servants and about politicians - should be a central consideration in the development and execution of any organized effort to influence decisions of government. One of Canada’s most experienced lobbyists, Sean Moore, will lead participants in an exploration of how they might improve their organization’s ability to influence decision-makers from City Hall to the halls of Ottawa and provincial capitals.
 
1:45-5:30pm           

One-on-one Consulting Sessions or Free Time

Sign up with pre-identified experts, or connect informally with someone who has skills and knowledge to share.   Connect with consultants directly, and they will book a mutually convenient time for a 45 min. session, over meals and at free times. 
           

• Al Etmanski-Financial Innovation
• Deena Chochinov-HR
• Derek Gent- Financial Innovation
• Doug Soo- Governance
• Jennifer McGinn-Banking and Financial Issues
• Joel Solomon-Business Strategies
• Joseph Mouzon-On-line Fundraising (US)
• Kate Dugas- Technology and the Web
• Merran Smith- Campaign Strategy
• Pam Chalout-Board Development or Marketing
• Rhian Walker-Media Relations or Public Relations
• Rick Smith-Political and Campaign Strategy
• Robert Marus- Banking and Financial Issues
• Sean Moore-Government Relations
• Steph Legualt-Strategic Planning
• Tom Williams- On-line fundraising and Social Networks
• Tzeporah Berman-Campaign Strategy
• Vickie Cammack-Membership Engagement
  

8:15 – 10:00pm    

Keynote:    Chief Judith Sayers, Hupacasath First Nation (Olatunji Hall)


Sunday May 27th

9:00 – 10:45am   

Strategic Dialogues-Power, Politics and Progressives (Olatunji Hall)

Judy Rebick- CAW-Sam Gindin Chair in Social Justice and Democracy, Jamey Heath-Author of, Dead Centre: Hope, possibility and unity for Canadian progressives, Andrea Reimer-Wilderness Committee, Sean Moore- Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP

This strategic dialogue will focus on how progressives can engage in the political process to build power and create change.  We will look at questions like:  Is the political arena an appropriate place for social change leaders to engage?  If so, where in the process is it most useful? Should the focus be on grassroots constituency building, policy development, candidate education, voter education, or what?  How do we deal with the thorny problems at the intersection of social change issues and partisan politics? It’s sure to be a lively discussion!

11:15 - 12:45pm       

Interactive Sessions

Workshop A:

Financial Skills-Building up your Balance Sheet (Bluff)

Derek Gent, Vancity Capital Corporation
 
Many community organizations are rich in karma and volunteer spirit, but often have financial statements that give bankers or investors the willies. Most years, an organization will very efficiently and effectively spend all its resources to further their mandate - manifesting themselves as not just "non-profit" but "non-asset" and "non-surplus" which can limit their longer term sustainability and their capacity to evolve over time. This workshop will look at strategies for better understanding and building the tangible financial assets of your organization (specifically through real estate, as one example) and also explore how to leverage non-financial assets toward greater sustainability. 

Case Study B:

Fringe Activists to Community Leaders - A case study on the Guelph Civic Election (Kaikum)

Annie O’Donahue, City of Guelph
Lise Burcher, Associate Professor - School of Environmental Design & Urban Development, University of Guelph and current City Councillor, Mark Rodford - President - Downtown Guelph BIA, Facilitator (and presenter) - Norman Gludovatz

How did a small citizens group balloon from 85 to 15,000 supporters in ten months? Learn about the innovative grassroots campaign that focused on values to bring in a progressive council and permanently change the face of citizen engagement in Guelph, Ontario.  We will detail how collaboration with community partners mobilized targeted sectors and quickly legitimized the group’s pre-election efforts.  Heralded as ‘kingmakers’ post-election, the Guelph Civic League continues to build its strong community voice and through partnerships, is playing a key role in a ground-breaking initiative sure to be a Canadian first.

Workshop C:

Cultivating Social Networks- Creating a Unifying Field

Nina Simons, Bioneers (Raven)

How can we best help people connect up to strengthen social and environmental change, bioregionally, around issues areas, economically and politically?  How do we simultaneously address the collective desire for community, while bridging the gaps that divide us?

Explore these questions in discussion with Nina Simons, co-executive director of Bioneers, a network that spans the US and BC, connecting  with conferences, radio series, media and a growing interactive 2.0 web community.
           
Workshop D:

Creativity- “Creativity in Action”

Sara Kendel & Alan Wong, Power of Hope (Olatunji Hall)
           
How do we connect the mind, the heart and the spirit of creativity in our activism? As in all areas of our lives, creativity enlivens environments and deepens the effects of our work; this workshop will explore a range of creative possibilities for both grassroots and institutional activism through participatory exercises and discussions.  Come with a willingness to explore - your head, heart and body are all you need!

Sara Kendall is artist, facilitator and activist from Vancouver, BC.  Her experience in arts-based youth empowerment processes, international solidarity, alternative media production and civic activism conspire with her practices in circus, hip hop and interdisciplinary performance to create a working life that is dedicated to serving community with passion and joy.  Sara brings her spirit of exchange and learning to facilitation of all kinds – get ready to dig in and build up!