IONS - Impact Organizations of Nova Scotia

Strategic Planning Workshop - New Minas
2019-11-14 09:30 - 15:30 (America/Halifax)
Facilitated by Daren Okafo, Manager – Learning Programs – CSCNS, the Strategic Planning Workshop seeks to teach boards the key elements of Strategic Planning.
Building your organizations’ capacity to manage effective Strategic Planning can be a crucial element in adapting to sectoral and organizational change, and proactively organize your work in a purposeful way.
This hands-on workshop will provide a grounded overview of the Strategic Planning process, and provide some practical guidance on thinking through the various stages, from understanding the broader nonprofit strategic context, comprehending your own situational context (SWOT, SOAR, etc.), setting achievable priorities, and building efficient and broadly agreeable action and operational plans within your organization.

Daren Okafo – Manager – Learning Programs, CSCNS
Daren has 23 years of experience with non-profits and believes in the importance of adult education, community voice and participation in social policy formation and provision. He is passionate about adult literacy and promoting creativity in adult and community learning.
Daren has worked at Irish National Adult Literacy Agency as the Manager of Research & Innovations, and at Coady International Institute as the Technology & Innovations Coordinator. He currently volunteers with Social Justice Radio at CFXU in Antigonish. Daren holds a Masters in Adult Education from St. Francis Xavier University.
Daren’s personal motto is “Always look for ways to extend a helping hand, and always try to get better at it”.

Building an Intercultural Workplace - Amherst
2019-11-13 10:00 - 15:00 (America/Halifax)
LEADERSHIP FOR A DIVERSE WORKPLACE CULTURE
This engaging workshop series, facilitated by Paul Pickering, Workplace Culture Program Coordinator – ISANS, helps you recognize and use skills already in-house, and counter challenges you likely have, to increase immigrant retention. We get very practical about managing a workspace that is welcoming for everyone.
We provide relevant information about CSCNS and ISANS, facilitate interactive activities, and identify next steps to keep your business strong and growing. Immigration can make the difference to your business, and this workshop provides tools for success.
Lunch is not being provided.

Facilitator
Paul Pickering has been assisting employers and individuals with issues of immigration, cultural competence, diversity and inclusion since 1995. He holds the position of Coordinator, Workplace Culture at Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia in Halifax (ISANS), and has worked there since 2012, providing workshops, Workplace Culture Assessments and other employer services. He draws from professional and personal experience living and working in the USA, The UK, South Korea, The Czech Republic and Estonia. He and his family immigrated to Canada in 2011. Paul has a BA in Cultural Anthropology, an MA in Communication Studies, and a Teaching Diploma in Lifelong Learning.

“Great, need you to come train our employers. Awesome!”
“Very helpful – brings to mind all values necessary to be inclusive in all facets of society, employment.”
“Increased awareness, great discussion. Facilitation – will pass on information, discussion with co-workers.”

Kairos Blanket Exercise-Stronger Together-Highland Region
2019-11-07 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Halifax)
The KAIROS Blanket Exercise™ program is a unique, participatory history lesson – developed in collaboration with Indigenous Elders, knowledge keepers and educators – that fosters truth, understanding, respect and reconciliation among Indigenous and non-indigenous peoples.
The KAIROS Blanket Exercise™ is a workshop that explores the nation-to-nation relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada. Blankets arranged on the floor represent land and participants are invited to step into the roles of First Nations, Inuit and later Métis peoples. The workshop helps people to understand how the colonization of this land impacts those who were here long before settlers arrived. It engages people’s minds and hearts in understanding why the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples is often broken and how we can take action together.
The KAIROS Blanket Exercise™ will be led by Debbie Eisan, Community Planner and Resident Elder with the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre in Halifax, NS.
Stronger Together will be held in the Community Room of the People’s Place Library, 283 Main Street, Antigonish NS from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, November 7, 2019.

Strategic Planning Workshop - Dartmouth
2019-11-07 09:30 - 15:30 (America/Halifax)

ED Networking Meeting - Middleton, November 7th 2019
2019-11-07 09:30 - 12:00 (America/Halifax)
ED Network provides the most senior staff leader in the organization with the opportunities to:

Connect with peers
Advocate for change
Engage in learning & professional development
Strengthen our knowledge of existing programs & services
Reduce professional isolation & duplication
Identify potential opportunities & partners across the whole scope of the sector

To expand the range of services provided to the ED Network, we will offer:

Learning & professional development opportunities delivered by subject matter experts in a workshop format
Quarterly meetings to address sector-wide issues
More frequent – but less formal – meet & mingle gatherings

Call for Executive Directors Network Advisory Members:
The ED Network is looking for Advisory Members. The Advisory Team is in place to support the vision of the ED Network and to share advice on the direction, delivery and content of the network activities. The team meets 3-4 times per year and each member commits to coordinating at least one ED Network event per year.
Please connect if you are keen to learn more and/or to sign up as one of the ED Network Advisory Team Members or as a member of the ED Network.
Thank you,

Building an Intercultural Workplace - Bridgewater
2019-11-07 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Halifax)
LEADERSHIP FOR A DIVERSE WORKPLACE CULTURE
This engaging workshop series, facilitated by Paul Pickering, Workplace Culture Program Coordinator – ISANS, helps you recognize and use skills already in-house, and counter challenges you likely have, to increase immigrant retention. We get very practical about managing a workspace that is welcoming for everyone.
We provide relevant information about CSCNS and ISANS, facilitate interactive activities, and identify next steps to keep your business strong and growing. Immigration can make the difference to your business, and this workshop provides tools for success.

Workshop will run from 9am-noon
This is a free event and refreshments will be provided.

Facilitator
Paul Pickering has been assisting employers and individuals with issues of immigration, cultural competence, diversity and inclusion since 1995. He holds the position of Coordinator, Workplace Culture at Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia in Halifax (ISANS), and has worked there since 2012, providing workshops, Workplace Culture Assessments and other employer services. He draws from professional and personal experience living and working in the USA, The UK, South Korea, The Czech Republic and Estonia. He and his family immigrated to Canada in 2011. Paul has a BA in Cultural Anthropology, an MA in Communication Studies, and a Teaching Diploma in Lifelong Learning.

“Great, need you to come train our employers. Awesome!”
“Very helpful – brings to mind all values necessary to be inclusive in all facets of society, employment.”
“Increased awareness, great discussion. Facilitation – will pass on information, discussion with co-workers.”

Executive Directors Network-Sydney
2019-10-23 13:30 - 15:00 (America/Glace_Bay)
If you are an Executive Director, please consider joining the ED Network!
We are offering a safe space for you to come together and:*Connect with peers *Advocate for change *Engage in learning & professional development *Strengthen knowledge of existing programs & services *Reduce professional isolation & duplication *Identify potential opportunities & partnersLooking forward to seeing you there!
Note: Street parking only.

Executive Directors Network-Central Region
2019-10-22 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Halifax)
If you are an Executive Director in the Halifax/Central Region, please consider joining the ED Network!
*Connect with peers *Advocate for change *Engage in learning & professional development *Strengthen knowledge of existing programs & services *Reduce professional isolation & duplication *Identify potential opportunities & partners
Light refreshments will be available.
Looking forward to seeing you there!

Leadership Lab Lunch & Learn, Wednesday October 16, 2019, Wolfville
2019-10-16 11:30 - 13:30 (America/Halifax)
Learning Lab: Lunch and Learn
Success Patterns for Community Development

October 16th, 2019:
11:30am – 1:30pm
@ 117 Front Street Wolfville, NS
(In case of inclement weather we will convene in the Wolfville Memorial Library, 21 Elm St, Wolfville NS)

Ever notice that when you ask for advice and share your passion you’re more likely to get money and when you ask for money your more likely to get advice? Ever feel like you’ve hit a roadblock in large institutions, but suddenly things move along when a “bridger” comes into the picture who gets your vision for your project and helps you navigate the system?
The Front Street Community Oven in Wolfville, NS experienced this too, and have found and used patterns that made the Front Street Community Oven project a success. Duncan Ebata and Ann Steiger of the Front Street Community Oven Project would like to talk with you about these patterns. They will share what worked for the Front Street Community Oven, in the shape of success patterns, that you can apply to your work as well. These are patterns they’ve learned from top community developers in the world, strategies they saw work for other community oven projects, and patterns they found in our own work with the Front Street Community Oven project. This will be candid, fresh, replicable in many contexts, and from recent experience.
Topics that we will cover:

Navigating by-laws, politicians, and regulators (our oven sits on town land)

Community fundraising to get the things, volunteer hours, money and various professional skills needed (our in-kind support has been approximately $120,000 from Sep 2017 – to Sep 1, 2019 – not including board time or Town of Wolfville support)

Generating excitement and getting buy-in from the community for a project most people simply couldn’t imagine (“What’s a community oven? Why would we need that? Who would ever use it? I don’t see it! That won’t work here!”)

Engaging worried stakeholders (“What about my business? Impact of smoke?”)

Creating engagement and maintaining energy with the board

Hosts
Duncan Ebata, BBA, Community Builder & Host
Duncan Ebata is a social entrepreneur, systems thinker, experience host and food community builder at Shift! Food, Front Street Community Oven, Earth Rhythms. Before getting into his current work, Duncan spent his last 8 years doing marketing work in the regenerative and organic agriculture space. Duncan is passionate about culinary community building, team building, building deeper connections and re-authoring community narratives, regenerative tourism, building upstream community food security projects, lowering the barriers to healthy eating, and building social innovator capacity. He is excited about creative co-cooking, story telling, re-authoring, experiential tourism development, and facilitation, as a means to re-connect and re-author what it means to be in community, our new economy, and our world. Duncan invites you to find out more and more resources at http://duncanebata.com
Anne Stieger, BA, MEd, Facilitator and Pattern Language Developerhttp://annestieger.comDana Perry, Central Region Convenor, Digital Public Relations LeadCommunity Sector Council of Nova Scotiahttp://ions.caPaula Mackay, BA, BEd, MEdExperiential Learning Project CoordinatorNova Scotia Community CollegeInstitute of Technology Campus
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ED Network:Nova Scotia Accessibility Act - Truro
2019-10-16 11:00 - 12:30 (America/Halifax)
All are welcome to join Lashuana Smith, Senior Policy Analyst of the Accessibility Directorate for a discussion of the new Nova Scotia Accessibility Act. Topics covered will include a review of the act, an update of its implementation and next steps, community engagement, empowerment and accessibility, the legislation’s impacts on organizations as well as potential opportunities surrounding the act.

Building An Intercultural Workplace - VALLEY
2019-10-09 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Halifax)
LEADERSHIP FOR A DIVERSE WORKPLACE CULTURE
This engaging workshop series, facilitated by Paul Pickering, Workplace Culture Program Coordinator – ISANS, helps you recognize and use skills already in-house, and counter challenges you likely have, to increase immigrant retention. We get very practical about managing a workspace that is welcoming for everyone.
We provide relevant information about CSCNS and ISANS, facilitate interactive activities, and identify next steps to keep your business strong and growing. Immigration can make the difference to your business, and this workshop provides tools for success.

Workshop will run from 10am-noon12 – 1pm is set aside for networking. Lunch is not being provided.

Facilitator
Paul Pickering has been assisting employers and individuals with issues of immigration, cultural competence, diversity and inclusion since 1995. He holds the position of Coordinator, Workplace Culture at Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia in Halifax (ISANS), and has worked there since 2012, providing workshops, Workplace Culture Assessments and other employer services. He draws from professional and personal experience living and working in the USA, The UK, South Korea, The Czech Republic and Estonia. He and his family immigrated to Canada in 2011. Paul has a BA in Cultural Anthropology, an MA in Communication Studies, and a Teaching Diploma in Lifelong Learning.

“Great, need you to come train our employers. Awesome!”
“Very helpful – brings to mind all values necessary to be inclusive in all facets of society, employment.”
“Increased awareness, great discussion. Facilitation – will pass on information, discussion with co-workers.”

Board Governance Workshop - HIGHLANDS - Antigonish
2019-10-08 09:00 - 15:00 (America/Halifax)
Facilitated by Daren Okafo, Manager – Learning Programs – CSCNS, the Board Governance Workshop seeks to teach boards the key elements of Good Governance.
Good governance is an essential part of any organization’s effectiveness and success. Regular evaluations and reviews of your board and its practices, as well as regular board education and updates, will ensure your board and organization is operating in compliance with best practice and effective stewardship of the assets of your organization. This is key to being productive, strategic, ethical and sustainable.
This program has been designed to assist in building your board into a highly functional, well-informed, supportive and service oriented body, capable of playing a core role in guiding your organization toward its strategic goals by leveraging current best practice alongside the skills, experience and knowledge that your board members already possess.
NOTE: Lunch will NOT be provided. There will be a one-hour break to allow time for lunch.

Daren Okafo – Manager – Learning Programs, CSCNS
Daren has 23 years of experience with non-profits and believes in the importance of adult education, community voice and participation in social policy formation and provision. He is passionate about adult literacy and promoting creativity in adult and community learning.
Daren has worked at Irish National Adult Literacy Agency as the Manager of Research & Innovations, and at Coady International Institute as the Technology & Innovations Coordinator. He currently volunteers with Social Justice Radio at CFXU in Antigonish. Daren holds a Masters in Adult Education from St. Francis Xavier University.
Daren’s personal motto is “Always look for ways to extend a helping hand, and always try to get better at it”.

Board Governance Workshop - CAPE BRETON - Sydney
2019-10-07 09:30 - 15:30 (America/Glace_Bay)

Open ED Network - Truro
2019-09-26 10:30 - 12:30 (America/Halifax)
If you are an Executive Director, please consider joining the ED Network!

We are offering a safe space for you to come together and:*Connect with peers *Advocate for change *Engage in learning & professional development *Strengthen knowledge of existing programs & services *Reduce professional isolation & duplication *Identify potential opportunities & partnersLooking forward to seeing you there!

Board Governance Workshop - CENTRAL - Dartmouth
2019-09-26 09:00 - 15:00 (America/Halifax)

Board Governance Workshop - NORTHERN - Truro
2019-09-25 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Halifax)

Board Governance Workshop - SOUTH SHORE - Bridgewater
2019-09-19 09:00 - 15:00 (America/Halifax)

ED Network: Community-Engaged Research-CLARI (New Glasgow)
2019-09-17 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Halifax)
Leading the discussion will be CLARI (the Change Lab Action Research Initiative). Based at Saint Mary’s University, CLARI is a partnership of seven post-secondary institutions in Nova Scotia. It’s purpose is to promote and support the engagement of CLARI-member faculty/students in community-identified problems. This is done through a number of means, the main one being a grant program that supports the engagement of faculty/students with communities. CLARI uses the term ‘community’ broadly here to include not only geographically defined communities but also non-profit organizations.
This session is open to the public and of likely interest to groups and organizations seeking to address social and economic challenges in their community.

Board Governance Workshop - VALLEY - Coldbrook
2019-09-17 09:30 - 15:30 (America/Halifax)

Building an Intercultural Workplace - CENTRAL
2019-09-17 09:00 - 13:00 (America/Halifax)
LEADERSHIP FOR A DIVERSE WORKPLACE CULTURE
This engaging workshop series, facilitated by Paul Pickering, Workplace Culture Program Coordinator – ISANS, helps you recognize and use skills already in-house, and counter challenges you likely have, to increase immigrant retention. We get very practical about managing a workspace that is welcoming for everyone.
We provide relevant information about CSCNS and ISANS, facilitate interactive activities, and identify next steps to keep your business strong and growing. Immigration can make the difference to your business, and this workshop provides tools for success.

Workshop will run from 9am-noon12 – 1pm is set aside for networking. Lunch is not being provided.

Facilitator
Paul Pickering has been assisting employers and individuals with issues of immigration, cultural competence, diversity and inclusion since 1995. He holds the position of Coordinator, Workplace Culture at Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia in Halifax (ISANS), and has worked there since 2012, providing workshops, Workplace Culture Assessments and other employer services. He draws from professional and personal experience living and working in the USA, The UK, South Korea, The Czech Republic and Estonia. He and his family immigrated to Canada in 2011. Paul has a BA in Cultural Anthropology, an MA in Communication Studies, and a Teaching Diploma in Lifelong Learning.

“Great, need you to come train our employers. Awesome!”
“Very helpful – brings to mind all values necessary to be inclusive in all facets of society, employment.”
“Increased awareness, great discussion. Facilitation – will pass on information, discussion with co-workers.”

ED Networking Meeting, New Minas, September 12th 2019
2019-09-12 09:30 - 12:00 (America/Halifax)
ED Network provides a forum for executive directors to discuss issues relevant to their work in a confidential format. The CSCNS will provide the place and facilitator. Executive Directors bring their energy, ideas and experience.
ED Network provides the most senior staff leader in the organization with the opportunities to:

Connect with peers and learn from each other;

Advocate for change;

Engage in learning & professional development;

Strengthen our knowledge of existing programs & services;

Reduce professional isolation & duplication; and

Identify potential opportunities & partners across the whole scope of the sector.

To expand the range of services provided to the ED Network, we will offer:

Learning & professional development opportunities delivered by subject matter experts in a workshop format;

Quarterly meetings to address sector-wide issues; and

More frequent – but less formal – meet & mingle gatherings.

Stronger Together: Community-Engaged Research-CLARI-Central Region
2019-09-11 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Halifax)
The Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia is happy to host a discussion on community-engaged research.Leading the discussion will be CLARI (the Change Lab Action Research Initiative). Based at Saint Mary’s University, CLARI is a partnership of seven post-secondary institutions in Nova Scotia. It’s purpose is to promote and support the engagement of CLARI-member faculty/students in community-identified problems. This is done through a number of means, the main one being a grant program that supports the engagement of faculty/students with communities. CLARI uses the term ‘community’ broadly here to include not only geographically defined communities but also non-profit organizations.
This session is open to the public and of likely interest to groups and organizations seeking to address social and economic challenges in their community.

ED Network:Nova Scotia Accessibility Act - Amherst
2019-09-05 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Halifax)
All are welcome to join Joshua Bates, Senior Policy Analyst of the Nova Scotia Accessibility Directorate for a discussion of the new Nova Scotia Accessibility Act.
Topics covered will include the a review of the act, an update of its implementation and next steps, community engagement, empowerment and accessibility, the legislation’s impacts on organizations as well as potential opportunities surrounding the act.

Board Governance Workshop - Highland Region
2019-09-04 09:00 - 15:00 (America/Halifax)
Board Governance Workshop
Good governance is an essential part of any organization’s effectiveness and success. Regular evaluations and reviews of your board and its practices, as well as regular board education and updates, will ensure your board and organization is operating in compliance with best practice and effective stewardship of the assets of your organization. This is key to being productive, strategic, ethical and sustainable.
Join us September 4, 2019 (9-3) in Antigonish to learn more about General Good Governance Practices, Board-ED Relationships, Policy Development & Evaluation and more.

Facilitator-Daren Okafo
Daren has 23 years of experience with non-profits and believes in the importance of adult education, community voice and participation in social policy formation and provision. He is passionate about adult literacy and promoting creativity in adult and community learning.
Daren has worked at Irish National Adult Literacy Agency as the Manager of Research & Innovations, and at Coady International Institute as the Technology & Innovations Coordinator. He currently volunteers with Social Justice Radio at CFXU in Antigonish. Daren holds a Masters in Adult Education from St. Francis Xavier University.
Daren’s personal motto is “Always look for ways to extend a helping hand, and always try to get better at it”.

ED Network Meeting - Bridgewater, July 25,2019
2019-07-25 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Halifax)
ED Network provides the most senior staff leader in the organization with the opportunities to:

Connect with peers
Advocate for change
Engage in learning & professional development
Strengthen our knowledge of existing programs & services
Reduce professional isolation & duplication
Identify potential opportunities & partners across the whole scope of the sector

To expand the range of services provided to the ED Network, we will offer:

Learning & professional development opportunities delivered by subject matter experts in a workshop format
Quarterly meetings to address sector-wide issues
More frequent – but less formal – meet & mingle gatherings

For more information contact Anne at afownes@ions.ca

Community Leadership Development: An Introductory Workshop
2019-07-23 13:00 - 17:00 (America/Halifax)
Community Leadership Development: An Introductory Workshop

Who is it for?
This workshop is designed for leaders of community sector organizations, networks, and associations interested in supporting their staff and members’ leadership development.

Why choose this workshop?

Connect with local community sector leaders
Deepen your commitment to sector strengthening
Experience a sampling of the leadership programs
Reflect and review your strength as a leader
Explore opportunities to partner with CCEDNet

“I have more tools and knowledge about building and motivating a team, creating shared purpose, and empowering myself and others to solve problems.”
-Learning Enrichment Foundation Leadership Award Program Participant

Facilitator

Andy Horsnell, Community Leadership Program Director

I love working collaboratively with teams of people who are passionate about making their communities and world a better place. This has been my passion for almost 30 years, working throughout Canada and the US – in big cities, small towns, and rural communities. I’m an independent consultant, and I draw upon a deep network of experienced colleagues. Together, we can change the world. Let’s get started…

Executive Directors Network-Northern Region-Truro
2019-06-26 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Halifax)

ED Network Meeting - Bridgewater, June 25,2019
2019-06-25 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Halifax)
ED Network provides the most senior staff leader in the organization with the opportunities to:

Connect with peers
Advocate for change
Engage in learning & professional development
Strengthen our knowledge of existing programs & services
Reduce professional isolation & duplication
Identify potential opportunities & partners across the whole scope of the sector

To expand the range of services provided to the ED Network, we will offer:

Learning & professional development opportunities delivered by subject matter experts in a workshop format
Quarterly meetings to address sector-wide issues
More frequent – but less formal – meet & mingle gatherings

Executive Directors Network-Cape Breton Region-Baddeck
2019-06-20 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Halifax)

Leadership Lab-Cybersecurity Information Session with Securicy-Sydney
2019-06-14 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Glace_Bay)
Cyber Threats Are On The Rise

Cyber attacks and data breaches are threatening to you as a business owner

There are challenges that cyber threats present for organizations that handle sensitive confidential, personal, or financial information

Cybersecurity is not exclusively an IT problem

It is vital that you understand your ultimate responsibility to keep your organization and stakeholders safe from cyber threats

Presentation Overview
Attendees will develop a better understanding of:

Cybersecurity fundamentals

Areas of vulnerability

Best practices in the age of cyber threats

Who Should Attend?

Leaders of not-for-profit organizations that process and/or store confidential, personal, or financial information or anyone interested in improving their general cybersecurity knowledge.

Presenter

Darryl MacLeod, CISSP, CISA, CCSK, Information Security Manager at Securicy, over 20 years experience in the IT security sector, responsible for optimizing service delivery to all levels of enterprise and government level organizations across Canada.

What Will Attendees Takeaway?
The necessary tools and resources to implement a “Cybersecurity Action Plan” improve their organization’s Cybersecurity Posture and Risk Profile
