Learn and Engage with IONS Programming

Building Capacity for Impact

A core part of our work is to provide capacity building opportunities to help organizations better achieve their mission through access to high quality training, resources, and skill development. The root of our capacity building efforts is the vision of the Community Impact Sector equipped to affect positive change and address systemic inequities. Our theory is that the sector will be most impactful when organizations develop the capacity and build skills to nurture healthy workplaces, cultivate innovation, and operate sustainably. To reflect these core competencies, IONS programming and events are categorized by the three learning streams below.

content themes

Healthy Workplaces

Systems Change & Innovation

Sustainable Operations

Latest Past Events

IONS Exchange 2024

Membertou Trade & Convention Centre 50 Mailliard St, Klooskap C&D, Membertou

IONS Exchange is a two-day gathering for people in the Community Impact sector in Nova Scotia to learn together and celebrate the work we do IONS Exchange 2024: Reciprocity in […]

Antigonish Community Conversations: Creating Welcoming Workplaces

People's Place Library 283 Main Street, #room 123, Antigonish

Join Impact Organizations of Nova Scotia (IONS) for a community conversation in Nova Scotia’s Antigonish area Community Conversations: Community Conversations: Creating Welcoming Workplaces   Join Impact Organizations of Nova Scotia […]

New Glasgow Community Conversations: Creating Welcoming Workplaces

IGNITE Atlantic 345 Temperance Street, New Glasgow

Join Impact Organizations of Nova Scotia (IONS) for a community conversation in Nova Scotia’s New Glasgow at Ignite Atlantic Community Conversations: Community Conversations: Creating Welcoming Workplaces   Join Impact Organizations […]

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Our Approach to Learning 

Based on our research, IONS’s approach to learning is grounded in a foundational understanding that to increase impact, we must nurture the skills needed to develop learning organizations through healthy workplaces, innovation for systems change, and managing sustainable operations.  

In 2021, we conducted an extensive sector engagement process to assess where to focus our capacity building efforts. Conversations were held and feedback was collected through a variety of methods to help us understand the current capacity needs, what obstacles the sector is facing, the root causes and barriers to impact, and how IONS can help the Community Impact Sector address complex issues. Based on what we heard from the sector, we were able to identify fundamental sector challenges, desired learning themes, and key characteristics that increase organizational impact. This insight informed our Learning Framework and our approach to capacity building for the sector over the next few years (detailed in the reports accessible below). 

 

Based on the content, we use a variety of learning approaches, implementing a mix of training methods and delivery to ensure there’s multiple ways to engage based on individual needs and time. We currently offer live, virtual webinars and workshops for larger group participation; cohort-based programming for experiential learning and peer-to-peer interaction for more complex topics; and communities of practice for learning that would benefit from ongoing support, collaboration, and access to mentors and peers. We hope to offer in-person events and opportunities soon. 

Capacity Building Learning Framework Report

Capacity Building Consultant's Report

Capacity Building Survey Report

Take Part on Your Own Time with Our Learning Video Library

To accommodate busy schedules and individual learning styles, IONS offers learning opportunities through online, pre-recorded courses accessible at home, on your own schedule. Our digital learning library will be accessible at any time on an ongoing basis with participation at your own availability and pace. We are in the process of engaging content experts to develop a suite of courses that will be available online this summer.


2SLGBTQIA+ Learning Journey

Online Course
Webinar
Healthy Workplaces
JEDDI
JEDDI Journey
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Sector Workforce

Decolonization Learning Journey Course

Webinar
Anti-Racism
Decolonization
JEDDI
JEDDI Journey
Reconciliation

Black History Learning Journey

Webinar
Advocacy & Policy
Anti-Racism
Decolonization
JEDDI
JEDDI Journey

Find more capacity building content in our resource library