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September 28
Mayoral Candidates Gather to Discuss Issues Facing the Nonprofit Sector

Five mayoral hopefuls gathered Wednesday afternoon to engage with the sector

More than 200 people filled the Decidedly Jazz Danceworks Theatre yesterday afternoon to watch five individuals vying to become Calgary's next mayor discuss issues facing the nonprofit sector. A lively conversation between Andre Chabot, Emile Gabriel, Larry Heather, David Lapp, and Naheed Nenshi kept moderator, and CCVO President & CEO, David Mitchell busy for the 90-minute forum.

The dialogue covered the future of the  Fair Entry program , arts amenities, and the current state of gender diversity in government. Candidates shared their thoughts on indigenous reconciliation, the fentanyl crisis, and how Calgary nonprofits can bring knowledge and expertise to City Council. Questions from the audience, livestream, and Twitter sparked the candidates to speak on issues that had not be discussed in an election forum yet this year. The Forum proved an opportunity for candidates to share their thoughts on many social issues facing Calgarians.

Thank you to each of the five candidates and the many community leaders who joined us for CCVO's Mayoral Candidate Forum. We look forward to working with the successful candidate and the rest of City Council to provide more opportunities to discuss issues facing the nonprofit sector.

Missed the discussion?  Watch the CBC Livestream


Be Informed (news and developments)
COPTER Submission
CCVO recently responded to proposed changes to the Community Organization Property Tax Exemption Regulation (COPTER). A number of the possible changes have a potential or direct impact on the nonprofit sector. Our comments focus on tax relief for facilities under construction or renovation, the criteria for residential property exemption, and proposed changes to the definition of "restricted."  Read our submission.
Reflect (articles, blogs, and other ideas worth sharing)
Shared measurement is an essential part of any collective impact initiative. This we can all agree on. Collecting data and measuring results across diverse initiatives helps to ensure efforts are aligned, participants are held accountable, and that strategies are evolving to meet the desired outcomes.  But how to do this effectively is not so well understood.  In his just released paper, evaluation expert Mark Cabaj offers five shared measurement challenges that, if not handled well, can weaken a group's ability to evaluate and manage their collective impact efforts. 
Communications strategy should be flexible, scrappy, and accessible to everyone on your team. This four-question framework, rooted in social science, can help organizations craft an effective strategy that drives real social change. Published by Stanford Social Innovation Review.
Learn and Connect (workshops and events)



Presented by the Calgary Foundation
Wednsday, October 18; 4:30 - 7 pm
BMO Centre, Stampede Park
RSVP by October 12

Join Calgary Foundation president and CEO Eva Friesen as she presents her annual report to community. Then hear from keynote speaker, Jessica Bolduc, who will share her experiences as executive director of the 4Rs Youth Movement which focuses on the values of respect, reciprocity and relevance as foundations for a generational, relationship-based approach to reconciliation. 
Reception at 4:30; Program at 5:30. Free parking available.


Presented by CCVO and the Talent Pool
Tuesday, October 24; 9 am - noon
Kahanoff Centre (105 - 12 Ave. SE)

With legal marijuana just around the corner, employers need to be aware of their rights and responsibilities. Organizations and HR professionals need to answer questions regarding acceptable level of use, required policies and procedures, and violation of rules. Using the "Workplace marijuana possession/use" case study, Adam Czarnecki will lead a discussion on the myths and realities of cannabis usage in the workplace, including types of cannabis products, medical marijuana, recreational uses, human rights vs privacy vs safety, and workplace readiness.



Presented by CCVO, Ignitech, and Integree-T Security Solutions
Monday, October 30; 9 - 11 am
Kahanoff Centre (105 - 12 Ave. SE)

A security incident that turns into a breach can lead to devastating financial or reputation loss. In a world where it isn't a question of if, but when your organization is targeted, a cyber incident response plan may be your lifeline to weathering the storm. When developed well, it can help you demystify the what-ifs, decrease your panic about who will do what, and plan through the worst-case scenarios.

If your organization distributes confidential board materials via private email without encryption, lacks information privacy policies and procedures, or is considering cyber security insurance or training, this session will provide guidance to help you manage the risks, guard your organization's reputation, and maintain credibility both during and in the aftermath of an incident.


Presented by the Max Bell Foundation
Application deadline: November 6

Canadian charities have a long history of helping to inform and shape public policy at municipal, provincial, and federal levels.  For many, it's a key strategy for advancing their missions.  Whether your organization has experience in public policy advocacy or is relatively new to the field, this extraordinary professional development opportunity will help you improve. Program runs from January to June 2018. 
Shortlist of Other Events

Board Leadership Calgary Learning Event; October 21. This year's event combines two popular annual events into one - Board Basics and Make Dollars Make Sense.
Responsive Leadership and the Right Use of Power; October 26-27 at the Kahanoff Centre. Presented by Big Impact Academy.
Evaluating Community Impact; November 14-16, Saskatoon SK. Presented by the Tamarack Institute.
Become a CCVO Member

CCVO serves our sustainers and members, partners, and the broader nonprofit sector in Calgary and beyond. Organizations, businesses, and individuals join CCVO to show support for the sector; membership benefits include access to the Grant Connect database of funding opportunities, member pricing on events and our Reach Hire job board, and member-only groups for networking and professional development. Learn more about becoming a CCVO member! 
Free Legal Clinic



Hosted and supported by: Pro Bono Law Alberta, Calgary Legal Guidance, Norton Rose Fulbright LLP, and Calgary Public Library.
Wednesday, October 18
Calgary Public Library; downtown branch (616 Macleod Tr. SE)

Need legal help? Need to talk to a lawyer? By appointment only - space is limited. To book a free 30 minute appointment with a volunteer lawyer call 403-541-4804 between 8 am and 5 pm from September 27 to October 11 (phone line closed October 9).  Held as part of LAW CONNECT: Calgary Public Library's free legal information event including legal resources fair, wills and estates presentation, and ID clinic.
Kahanoff Centre Event Space
The Kahanoff Centre is known for it's prime Beltline location and modern design. It offers competitive rates and knowledgeable, friendly staff to support your event from start to finish to ensure your events will be flawlessly executed. For more information or to book an event at the conference centre, please click here . 
B3 Canada Board Matching Program for Nonprofits
Building Breakthrough Boards (B3) Canada is a social enterprise dedicated to building breakthrough boards through innovative board matching and training programs. B3 matches highly-skilled employees and professionals with nonprofit boards. The program is FREE for nonprofits to participate. 
Funding and Awards



The Human Rights Project grants are available for nonprofit organizations or public institutions to help make changes so that all Albertans have the opportunity to participate in the cultural, social, economic and political life of the province without discrimination. This Alberta Human Rights Commission grant program supports outcome-based community projects for all Albertans, including Indigenous people, immigrants, racialized groups, religious minorities, gender and sexual minority groups, and persons with disabilities. Application deadline: October 2


The City of Calgary's Advisory Committee on Accessibility (ACA) is now accepting nominations for their annual awards. The ACA Annual Awards raise awareness about the importance of accessibility and universal design and celebrate the accomplishments of individuals, groups, and organizations who are improving the quality of life for persons with disabilities in Calgary.  See the ACA's Annual Awards program for more information and guidelines on the award and nominations.
Nomination deadline: November 17
Featured Publications





 Thinking Differently: Adaptive Capacity in the Nonprofit Sector