IONS Exchange 2024: Reciprocity in Practice

We’re holding space for people to come together, rest, connect with each other, and share ideas with the intention of tapping into the creative energy and inspiration needed to break the status quo. We hear you: current systems and structures in the Community Impact (Nonprofit) Sector can make it hard to support our communities and ourselves; you’re feeling isolated, disconnected, and burnt out. You do the often undervalued yet critical work to make a positive impact in your communities – but where is the space to slow down, recharge, and get energized by what’s possible.

IONS Exchange is a two-day gathering that offers an opportunity for the people working and volunteering in the sector to be in community together, learn from Indigenous knowledge holders, gain new tools and ideas, and celebrate the work we are doing for our communities.

Exchange speaks to the intentional design of the event, which will encourage relationship development and reciprocal knowledge sharing. This gathering is meant to give space to develop meaningful relationships within our network, learn about and offer promising practices and resources to support our work, and provide a sense of rest, unity, and empowerment to lift the spirit. IONS Exchange will offer a variety of ways and activities for people to learn, create, inspire, and connect.

To learn more about the event details, please visit exchangens.ca

IONS Exchange Stipend

Our desire is for Exchange to be accessible to people working in the Community Impact Sector, especially those from Equity Deserving Communities. We have a limited number of Stipends available to cover registration, travel, and/or accommodations – these are given through an application process based on need and number.

We wish for the diversity of our sector to be reflected in the attendance of this event. We recognize the disproportionate barriers in particular to Indigenous, Black, and Racialized participants to engage in events such as Exchange, as well as members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ and disability communities. Thus, we are prioritizing removing financial barriers for people from these Equity Deserving Communities to encourage the conditions for greater exchange and relationship building between people from different parts of our sector.

To apply for an IONS Exchange Stipend please fill out the following online form.

Please note, we will only be accepting applications for Stipends until Monday, April 8, at 12pm noon. This is so that we have time to organize and communicate about the stipends to applicants, and people can make decisions about attendance and travel. We may accept and approve stipend applications on a rolling basis.

Accessibility Information

The Eventbrite registration has a section to fill out accessibility needs or requests. Please indicate any accessibility needs you may have in your Eventbrite registration form. If you have general questions or concerns related to accessibility, please contact IONS Engagement Lead Clary Chambers – clary@ions.ca. We wish to support participants and remove barriers to participation as much as possible – we have some funding to cover additional accessibility costs on a case-by-case basis.

Event Details and Location Feautures

To learn more about the event and facility features, please visit exchangens.ca

Masking and COVID-19 Considerations

We will not be requiring the use of masks at the event, but encourage wearing a mask if that is preferable or comfortable for you. Please reconsider your attendance if you are feeling unwell in order to protect the health of our community.