Unique training opportunity for brokering cross-sector collaborations
Partnership development training is a key skill set for successful social innovation. SiG is excited to be teaming up with the Partnership Brokers Association for their next training opportunity in Toronto this November. The brochure for the program can be downloaded here.
What is “Partnership Brokering”?
There is a growing demand worldwide from business, public sector, civil society and donor agencies for greater competence in scoping and managing the partnering process in non-traditional partnerships and cross-sector collaboration. A partnership ‘broker’ is someone who works as an intermediary building effective and innovative collaboration. Partnership brokers can be either internal – responsible for negotiating or managing partnerships on behalf of their organisation – or external – those offering independent partnership brokering services.
Established in 2003, the globally recognised Partnership Brokers Training Scheme builds the practical brokering skills and professional practices necessary to address complex challenges in the partnering process at all phases of a partnership’s life cycle.
This four-day training course will take place at the historic Campbell House in the heart of downtown Toronto: 5,6,8,9 November 2012 - with a day off on 7 November. Deadline for applications is October 15, 2012.
For more information visit the Partnership Brokers Association website. The Association is hoping to be back in Canada in the Spring of 2013.
5 Good Ideas from Al Etmanski
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Social innovation:
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Five Good Ideas is a lunch-and-learn program presented by the Maytree Foundation where industry or issue experts discuss powerful yet practical ideas on key management issues facing non-profit organizations. Each presentation outlines five practical ideas and explores with the audience how these ideas can be translated into action. In early February 2012, SiG collaborator Al Etmanski, President of PLAN Institute presented his 5 Good Ideas for Social Innovation.
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If you are seeking creative solutions to big problems, open to exploring and utilizing multiple and cross-cutting perspectives, and eager to develop the habits of thought and strategic skills necessary to make transformative change possible, this program was designed with you in mind.
The Graduate Diploma in Social Innovation, a partnership between leading academics at the University of Waterloo, expert practitioners from across the country, and the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, will very intentionally engage professionals from different sectors. Together they will learn about the concepts and theories that frame ideas related to social innovation, form small tri-sector teams focused on an issue, and then apply new ideas to design strategies that address challenges. Professional coaching, expert advisors, and access to some of the world’s leading educators and consultants are just a few of the unique features of this collaboration for social innovation education.
• Become a more creative and sophisticated systems-thinker
• Learn to better identify, nurture and seize opportunities to address the problems of greatest importance to you
• Build a national, cross-sectoral professional network
• Develop strategic skills and ways of thinking that will make you more effective in all your endeavors
• Position yourself to effectively address major social challenges
For full program details visit the Graduate Diploma in Social Innovation website.
A true pioneer
In memoriam
Diogo Vasconcelos
1968 - 2011
On Friday July 8 the global social innovation movement lost a true pioneer and inspirational leader who found a way to bridge the worlds of government, business and community, and ensure collaborative ideation and creation of solutions. Diogo Vasconcelos was a visionary in the field of social innovation, championing the movement in Europe. He was instrumental in the development of the Dialogue Cafe and the energy behind SIX. As a Distinguished Fellow with Cisco’s Internet Business Solutions Group (IBSG), he chaired the Business Panel on Future EU Innovation Policy, set up by the European Commission in January 2009, which called for a radical change in European innovation policies.
SiG and Diogo had just scheduled a tour of Canada for our Inspiring Action for Social Impact Series. It was with profound sadness that we heard the news of his passing this morning, and we send our condolences to his family, his many friends and his colleagues at Cisco and SIX.
Budget 2011 recognizes innovative work of the Canadian Task Force on Social Finance
Social Innovation Generation, as convenor and secretariat of the Canadian Task Force on Social Finance, welcomes the federal government referencing the work of the Task Force in the 2011 Budget. We especially note the government’s interest in “taking steps to complement community efforts by encouraging the development of government/community partnerships, enabling communities to tackle local challenges and testing new approaches to improve performance.”
We look forward to collaborating with the government and the Department of Human Resources and Skill Development in bringing the recommendations of the Task Force to fruition.
The report released by the Task Force in December 2010, “Mobilizing Private Capital for Public Good”, offers an integrated national strategy for building Canada’s social finance marketplace. It comprises seven recommendations that Canada needs to undertake, in parallel, to mobilize new sources of capital, create an enabling tax and regulatory environment, and build a pipeline of investment-ready social enterprises.
The Task Force report and recommendations are available here
The Canadian Task Force on Social Finance was conceived bySiG to identify opportunities to mobilize private capital for public good, within either non-profit or for-profit enterprises. Canada’s ability to conceive, build and scale social innovations will require more capital than available through philanthropy and government. Canada’s emerging social finance marketplace will allow public and philanthropic capital to leverage significantly more private capital to achieve long-term benefits for Canadians.
Tags: social finance, social innovation, policy, impact investing, community, Canada
Innovating across borders
AFRICA RISING: ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION FRONTIERS
March 14-15, 2011
MaRS Discovery District
Register Here: http://ccafrica.ca
Social Impact Bonds: A Practical Social Innovation
This report was featured in Horizons - A Policy Research Initiative publication. Produced by SiG Program Manager, Adam Jagelewski
The Social Impact Bond (SIB) is gaining global attention as a financial instrument that provides a new way to tackle social issues. Not only are SIBs attracting interest in impact investment circles, that is, among investors who seek social and/or environmental benefits as well as financial gain, but through a daily dose of updates on social media like Twitter and global blogs, the SIB buzz is making its way to government officials and the non-profit sector.
Initial conversations with these communities are characterized by both curiosity and confusion (sometimes at the same time), which leaves many wondering what effect the SIB model could have on social issues in Canada, or more specifically, what impact it could have on the way governments and foundations commission outcome-based contracts in the future.
Click here to read the full report
Mobilizing Private Capital for Public Good
The Canadian Task Force on Social Finance has released its seminal report providing a national strategy to mobilize private capital for public good in Canada. The report sets out catalytic recommendations that call on institutional investors, corporations, philanthropists, foundations and governments to work together to build a robust impact investing marketplace in Canada . Impact investing is defined as proactively investing in businesses, organizations or funds that generate both a social or environmental AND financial return.
Launched this October by Social Innovation Generation (SiG), The Task Force on Social Finance is focused on reshaping the way we think about investing in Canada’s future. It will continue to advance this agenda, and review and report on progress towards its recommendations.
We were extremely excited to have the support and encouragement of global pioneers and impact investing leaders in our work. This video was played at the report launch and reception on Tuesday November 30 this year.
Global congratulations for the Canadian Task Force on Social Finance from SiG @ MaRS on Vimeo.
Further information about the Task Force and to access a copy of the Report, can be found here. Stay tuned for more updates about the Task Force as the months unfold.
New Tools for Social Innovation: System Mapping, Design Thinking and Business Model Innovation
In early October, MaRS Education Advisor, Joseph Wilson traveled to Montreal for a conference called “Realizing the Potential of the Arts and Creativity in 21st Century Learning.” Put on by the arts-education not-for-profit ArtsSmarts, the meeting brought together educators, activists, administrators and social entrepreneurs to look at innovative models in education.
He teamed up with Stephen Huddart, COO of the Montreal-based McConnell Foundation and SiG collaborator, to present some ideas on how social ventures can map out organizational structure to explore innovative solutions to barriers to growth.
To read Joseph's full blog post, visit the MaRS site where this post first appeared October 8, 2010.
Michael Quinn Patton in Waterloo Region
Social Innovation Generation was delighted to host Michael Quinn Patton, pioneer of developmental evaluation, in Waterloo Region on the evening of Monday, October 4th, 2010 for a speaking event to coincide with the release of his latest book, Developmental Evaluation: Applying Complexity Concepts to Enhance Innovation and Use (Guilford Press, 2010).
Skip to the audio podcast of the event
Skip to the presentation slides of the event
Security and Opportunity in Turbulent Times
Stephen Huddart, Chief Operating Officer, J.W.McConnell Famil Foundation
photo credit: Mister V
Feeling lucky? Nervous? Let’s see… massive flooding in Pakistan, the warmest year in recorded history, rumours of a new superbug, the largest oil spill ever, a threatened double-dip recession, and who knows what’s next, other than it’s sure to be something.
We live in turbulent times, the nature of which is to throw up surprises, to be erratic, and to be non-linear. We have a clear choice: reach for that lucky charm and trust that things will calm down, or tune in to what turbulence is telling us – that we need a new planetary operating system. As Peter Drucker wrote thirty years ago, management in turbulent times is about:
1.Surviving
2.Adapting
3.Taking advantage of new opportunities.
This article was originally posted on the Open Source Business Resource. The full text can be read here.
Ric Young - Main Presentation from SiG@Waterloo on Vimeo.
The SiG@Waterloo "Innovators in Action" Speaker Series, applied the ideas of social innovation to a number of specific sectors and issues - education, youth mentorship, inclusion, collaboration and cultural change. Each of the keynote speakers shared their experiences of operating at the national level to identify and address the root causes of intractable social challenges. Each keynote lecture was followed by a local panel discussion who shared their reflections on the presentation and offered insight into their own experiences.
See all of the series presentations on the SiG@Waterloo website.
Laura Bunt discusses the promise of Canadian social innovation
5 minutes with Laura Bunt from NESTA, UK from SiG @ MaRS on Vimeo.
NESTA's Laura Bunt co-authored the report, Mass Localism with multiple valuable learnings from NESTA's Big Green Challenge. When she visited SiG and MaRS on her visit to Toronto, we asked her what was exciting her work at the moment. To read Mass Localism, visit NESTA
Tuesday June 15, 2010
Vickie Cammack on Tyze from The J.W. McConnell Family Founda on Vimeo.
Tyze creates personal, private, secure, online networks that strengthen relationships and address isolation. Our primary beneficiaries are people with disabilities, seniors and people experiencing life challenges, as well as the agencies, businesses, and governments who provide support for them. Visit the website.
Tuesday June 15, 2010
When it comes to social and mobile technology, the question is no longer whether or not we should be using it, but rather, how can we adopt it in a strategic way? And how can social innovators use it to create greater impact?
Net Change 2010, powered by MaRS, took place between June 7-11 this year. Participants online and offline enjoyed a feast of keynote presentations, panel discussions and training events.
Visit the Net Change website here to get caught up.
Thursday May 6, 2010
This annual Summer Institute presented by our friends at Authentic Leadership in Action in Halifax (ALIA) brings together systems-oriented tools with the values and practices of authentic leadership, creating a unique and powerful learning environment.
The week-long program (June 6-12, Halifax) includes skill-building modules led by world-renowned faculty, mindfulness meditation, creative process, and dialogues focused on some of the critical questions of our time. The celebratory 10th anniversary Institute will feature highlights from a decade of leadership and learning. Learn more about the Institute here.
The theme at this year's Summer Institute is "Transforming Systems: What Are We Learning?" Presenters include Adam Kahane (Solving Tough Problems and Power and Love), Barry Oshry (Power and Systems), Cheryl Rose (SiG@Waterloo), Otto Scharmer (Theory U), Peter Senge (The Necessary Revolution), and Meg Wheatley (Leadership and the New Science).
For more information and to register, visit the Institute site here
Friday April 23, 2010
SiG@Waterloo is pleased to announce scheduled dates for the "Innovators in Action" Speaker Series.
Please join us in welcoming five of Canada’s leaders in the field of social innovation. Each lecture will also feature a local panel and will be an opportunity to learn new ideas and systemic approaches to some of our most pressing social problems.
All lectures are FREE to attend. RSVP required.
Register to attend today by visiting the SiG@Waterloo site here.
Tuesday March 23, 2010
Brenton Caffin is the Chief Executive Officer of TACSI - The Australian Centre for Social Innovation. In a recent visit to SiG@MaRS, Brenton gave us 5 minutes to describe the centre and tell us about their upcoming projects.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010 - 19:00 - 21:00
The Waterloo Lecture on Social Innovation highlights world-class thinkers with new ideas on how to achieve significant, durable social change for our most pressing problems. Social Innovation Generation (SiG@Waterloo) and our partners, Centre for International Governance Innovation, Capacity Waterloo Region, Region of Waterloo, and Musagetes, were pleased to have internationally acclaimed facilitator and author, Adam Kahane present the January lecture. Watch the video here.
December 3, 2009
Today we are seeing a different approach to social investment; successful investors are working at new funds, developing new financial tools, and looking for new kinds of deals that have an impact on the social and environmental challenges of our day.
Listen to the discussion with the father of blended-value theory, Jed Emerson as he discusses how Canada's financial sector can catalyze a market for blended value investments. Joining him for the discussion is Tim Brodhead (McConnell Foundation), Jane Ambachtsheer (Mercer) and Nora Sobolov (Intersol).
December 2, 2009
As part of CIBC Presents Entrepreneurship 101 and our Global Leadership Series, SiG@MaRS is proud to present Jed Emerson, who coined the term "blended value." Hear Jed speak to the evolution of social capital markets in the U.S. Learn about the concept of blended value investments and the rationale for its world-wide momentum. What role does blended value investments have within mainstream finance and what opportunities are available for the Canadian marketplace?
December 1-2, 2009
To request an invite for this event contact: boa@marsdd.com
The Business of Aging will feature some of the world’s top experts focused on the many issues that the aging of the global population poses for communities, governments, academic and healthcare institutions, and businesses. The keynote will be delivered by Buzz Aldrin, one of 2 astronauts to ever walk on the moon, and one of the featured guests is Al Etmanski, President of PLAN – a SiG partner.
November 21, 2009
Harrison Galleries, Vancouver
Presented by Vancity in partnership with PLAN, Tyze and the Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education. Special guests include John Ralston Saul, Cairine MacDonald, Tamara Vrooman, Vickie Cammack and Ric Matthews.
November 20, 2009
Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver
Presented by PLAN and Vancity. Special guests John Ralston Saul, the Universal Gospel Choir and Vicki Gabereau
November 18-20, 2009
Day 1 off-site and Centre for Social Innovation
Day 2 in MaRS Auditorium
November 16, 2009
Presented by Ontario Trillium Foundation, Paul Cheng, Venturesome
Paul Cheng talks about how to scale social finance vehicles with lessons from Venturesome in the UK. This session will also include discussion on government approaches to transfer payments.
November 10, 2009
MaRS Discovery District, Toronto
In partnership with SiG, the Public Policy Forum hosts a multi-sector conversation about social innovation and how it can change the way we support and interact with each other in the 21st century.
