The New Ecology of Social Benefit

Last weekend, Fulton and Blau's The New Ecology of Social Benefit formed part of our exchange.

The document scopes the evolving giving terrain, and begins ...

Every effort to promote social benefit today takes place in a new ecology - a context deeply different from that in which many of today's institutions, assumptions, and habits were formed. The pressures of this new ecology, and the need to respond to it, will shape both how philanthropy is practiced for the next generation and what philanthropy is called upon to do.

The document briefly looks at the following themes:

Privatization,

Reflection/Connection,

Multiplication/Diversification,

Observation/Acceleration.

Have Portal Must Engage

Freenets, community technology hubs - whatever!

Well that's been my impression, based on the sole experience of my local freenet the Vancouver Community Network, VCN. Don't get me wrong they're very ... utilitarian.

VCN Vision Statement
The Vancouver Community Network strives to be an inclusive, multicultural, community-based organization which ensures the free, accessible electronic creation and exchange of the broadest range of information, experience, ideas and wisdom.

VCN Mission Statement
The Vancouver Community Network owns, operates and promotes a free, publicly accessible, non-commercial, community computer utility in the Lower Mainland of BC which provides a public space on the Internet.

VCN Goals

To encourage the development of a wide range of electronic community information and communications resources.

To encourage the broadest possible participation of community and non-profit organizations in making their information available on the CommunityNet.

To work with community and non-profit organizations to make VCN a community building tool.

To support individuals and organizations in building and maintaining public space on the Internet internationally.

To work with other BC and Canadian Community Networks, such as Telecommunities Canada, to support Canadian community computer networks.

To educate and encourage the public in the use of the Internet.

To work toward the widest possible public access to the Internet, government and other information through Community Networks, other non-profit organizations, such as libraries, and other public access sites.

To expand the multicultural and inclusive nature of the Vancouver CommunityNet.

To expand and strengthen the membership and user base of VCN.

To build sustainability through ongoing funding, a strong and effective board and staff, and operational and financial accountability.

It's just when it come to engagement they're, they're ... not.

Contrast VCN with the Birmingham: Community Empowerment Network, b:cen, and suddenly my attitude shifts. B:cen is clear, coherent and seemingly contributes to a sense of community, and community economic development.

For a taste of b:cen listen to their podcast, The Grasroots Channel.

Leaf, Tree, Forest: Rooting Development in Community

Leaf, Tree, Forest: Rooting Development in Community, is the theme for the 2006 National Conference on CED and the Social Economy. Which will take place at Vancouver's Sheraton Wall Centre, March 15-18, 2006.

Join 600 CED and social economy practitioners, academics, government partners, technical assistance providers and citizens.

Highlights

More than 50 workshops will explore current issues in CED and social economy, that include:

- 5 workshop streams (Community Sustainability, Community-Based Enterprises, CED and Youth, Aboriginal CED, and Building Bridges Across Sectors) will present innovative models and practical experience

- Social events provide opportunities to develop new partnerships and contacts

- Collaborative action planning for moving forward together

- Interesting Site visits to showcase the Lower Mainland’s CED sector

- Inspiring speakers and plenaries

-Marketplace and Showcase of Community Initiatives and Social Enterprises

The 2006 national conference is organized by the Canadian Community Economic Development Network (CCEDNet) in partnership with the BC-Yukon CED Network and Building Opportunities with Business, BoB.

Here is the conference brochure.

Use the document to make your workshop selections, then you'll be ready to complete the on-line registration process here. If you can't register on-line, you can print up the document, fill it out by hand and mail or fax your registration form to the address indicated.

Questions? Contact Jaie Skalin.

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Tags: for:vsef, Nonprofit, CED, Social Economy,

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Employment Opportunity: SmartGrowth BC

Smart Growth BC is launching a new social enterprise – a fee-for-service consultancy – and is looking for a dynamic and experienced Manager of Advisory Services to develop, manage and grow this new Advisory Services Program.

The Smart Growth Advisory Services Program will provide mission-based services to municipalities and businesses to assist in smart growth planning and implementation. We are looking for a unique combination of skills and qualities; the ideal candidate will be ready to hit the ground running on March 1st and looks like this:

As the representative of Smart Growth BC at the frontlines of local government, the development sector, and communities, you are a true diplomat for the organization and for the principles of smart growth. You are passionate about community livability, and have a solid understanding of smart growth, community planning and development issues. You are an excellent salesperson and are fantastic at developing and marketing ideas and projects. You have 4-10 years of experience working in a professional consulting environment, with a minimum of 2 years as a senior team leader for consulting projects, including considerable experience in developing a client base and securing projects. You have a solid understanding of Smart Growth BC’s potential clients and have worked with this client base. You have a demonstrated ability to set-up and manage consulting systems and procedures, to scope and cost projects, as well as to identify, assemble and manage interdisciplinary teams.

You have exceptionally strong interpersonal, communications and writing skills and a well-developed financial skill set. You have business or program start-up experience, and are comfortable and able to manage risk. Your academic background preferably includes a masters degree in a related field; professional training in a smart growth-related field is also preferred, but not required. A personal fit with smart growth values is essential.

This is a full-time position. Salary is commensurate with skills and experience. Base salary plus performance bonus will comprise an attractive compensation package.

If this unique position appeals to you, please submit a resume with covering letter describing your qualifications, experience and interest by 5pm, Friday, January 27, by post or email to:

Re: SGAS Manager Position
Smart Growth B.C.
201-402 West Pender Street Vancouver, B.C.
V6B 1T6

For more information on Smart Growth BC, please check out their website.
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Tags: for:vsef, Social Enterprise, Nonprofit
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Employment Opportunity: Vancity Community Foundation

The Vancity Community Foundation is seeking a "Program Manager - Enterprising Non-profits Program". The successful applicant will manage a grant program that supports the development of non-profit social enterprises and will develop and implement special projects that support sector development for social enterprises.

The Enterprising Non-profits Program Manager (ENP) is responsible for implementing, managing and delivering the ENP program throughout BC. ENP is a funding collaboration supported by the following funders: Coast Capital Savings Credit Union, Vancity Community Foundation, Vancity Savings Credit Union, Vancouver Foundation, United Way of the Lower Mainland, and Western Diversification.

Reporting to the Manager, Community Programs, Vancity Community Foundation, the ENP Program Manager supports the achievement of the ENP strategy by facilitating the development of social enterprise and other innovative programs. This includes strategically developing, coordinating and improving the programs to achieve specific objectives and outcomes and to maintain ENP’s position as a leader in non-profit social enterprise.

Responsibilities:

* Facilitates the creation of successful social enterprises and other community programs through: Identifying and assessing opportunities; developing strategies and partnerships; delivering strategic investments and an integrated development path including grant making, technical support and sector support within the ENP Program.

* Develops, designs and continuously improves integrated and collaborative programs (including policies, partnerships, communication strategies, advocacy strategies, tools, products and services) to achieve the ENP’s long-term goals.

* Ensures that program development and delivery is timely, effective and meets program goals and objectives.

* Conducts strategic research and analysis to inform ENP’s strategy in order to raise ENP’s position as a leader and advocate of social enterprise locally, nationally, and internationally.

* Maintains external networks and partnerships to strengthen the reputation of ENP and its partners as leaders.

* Provides social enterprise expertise and advisory services to the community and to the ENP partners.

* Monitors trends, emerging thinking, and new approaches to social enterprise and with particular attention to the role of funders, government and the financial service sector, and develops proposals to implement, as appropriate.

* Develops and facilitates collaboration among internal and external partners, in order to improve the economic, social and environmental sustainability of communities.

* Performs related duties in keeping with the accountabilities of the role.

Qualifications:

The competencies for the position would typically be acquired through a graduate degree in community economic development, business/commerce, planning or a related field, with 5 years related experience, including experience developing and implementing policy, programs and strategies and working with non-profits, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

* Advanced knowledge of social enterprise, business development and community economic development trends, concepts and programs.

* Advanced knowledge of the non-profit community and the unique characteristics of the non-profit sector.

* Advanced experience in program development, critical analysis, research, evaluation and strategic planning.

* Communication skills for a broad and diverse audience.

* Knowledge of strategic grant making and community investing
Stakeholder relationship building skills to support partnerships and facilitate organizational initiatives.

* Knowledge of financial institutions, particularly credit unions, and their role in community economic development and community investment.

To apply for this position, apply on-line here. The position is listed as Program Manager,Vancity Community Foundation (7929022)