K-Net: An Amazing First Nations Initiative in Tele-health and Online Education

The Social Economy Centre (OISE/UT) Presents

Speakers' Series

Brian Beaton
K-Net Services Coordinator
Brian Walmark
Director of Keewaytinook Okimakanak Research Institute

Wednesday, November 12, 2008, Noon – 1:30 pm
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto
252 Bloor St. West, Toronto
Room 12-199

Brian Beaton…is the coordinator of K-Net Services, the telecommunications department of Keewaytinook Okimakanak; a tribal council serving First Nations in Ontario's far north. He will discuss the migration of broadband and the development of applications such as telehealth and digital education through the expansion of the Kuhkenah Network, the largest First Nations-owned and managed broadband network in Canada.

Brian Walmark…is the Director of Research at Keewaytinook Okimakanak, a tribal council serving First Nations in Ontario’s far north. The KO Research Institute (KORI) was created by the Chiefs with a twin mandate, to build research capacity at the community level and to build bridges with like-minded academics who are willing to put the research priorities of the communities first over the institutional imperatives of traditional academic research. Brian will be speaking about several of the research projects that KORI has undertaken as well as the partnerships with academics and graduate students.

Bring your lunch and a mug – Coffee, tea and Water will be provided. For more information, contact Lisa White at secspeaker@oise.utoronto.ca, or visit our website at http://socialeconomy.utoronto.ca

This event will also be webcast live on the Internet.

Announcing the first ever searchable database of Ontario co-ops, credit unions and caisses populaires

On Co-op launches first-ever online and searchable directory of co-ops, credit unions and caisses populaires operating in Ontario. We're calling it the e-directory.

Check it out at http://www.coopsontario.com .

The e-directory is publicly accessible and fully searchable by name, city, keyword and postal code. It features basic contact information and detailed descriptions. A handy feature is the ability to display a Google map for each location. E-mail addresses are never revealed, which helps eliminate spamming - instead a contact window appears, and a security code must be entered.

Government, the public and academics can use the e-directory to see what co-ops are in their community, what products or services are provided by co-ops, and to contact a co-op if they choose. The co-op sector, credit union system and co-operative champions can use the e-directory to find out more about their "co-op cousins".

We recommend every co-op, credit union and caisse populaire check its own listing as soon as possible, as well as search for other co-ops by city, keyword or name to understand how the e-directory works. We anticipate the directory will very quickly evolve into a central hub for accessing co-op information and we would like to ensure the best possible experience for anyone looking for co-op information.

*** PLEASE CHECK YOUR LISTING(s) FOR...

1. Contact information. Are the correct co-op name, address, phone (local and toll-free) and fax numbers displayed? Check to make sure the e-mail address and website links are valid and go to the correct person/department in your organization. Verify that the Google mapping function correctly identifies your address. If you have more than one location, check each one for accuracy.

2. Description. The keyword search looks here, as well as at your name. Words core to your business should be here (examples - fair trade, banking services, organic, dairy, housing, energy, child care, etc). This isn't a listing of all of your products, but allows people who view the description a useful glimpse into your business. The description field is 50 words maximum and must be in sentence/paragraph format.

3. Category. Confirm that your organization is listed in the correct category(s).

UPDATING THE INFORMATION...

1. INCOMPLETE, MISSING OR INCORRECT INFORMATION; ORGANIZATION NOT LISTED (INCLUDING MAIN, BRANCH OR SATELLITE OFFICES); OR ORGANIZATION TO BE REMOVED FROM THE LISTING: Click on the "Contact Us" button. One of the choices available from that screen is to update your information. Please provide us with all the details, including what should be changed. We will receive the message, confirm the information and make the changes to our database, generally within 1-2 business days. On Co-op has an e-directory review board to review each addition/deletion/change before it is uploaded to the e-directory to ensure we are adding the correct information.

2. If you have questions or suggestions about the e-directory program/interface itself, send your thoughts to us using the "Contact Us" button. We will continue to enhance the look and functionality of the e-directory over the next few weeks, and your input is important.

3. Where did the information initially come from? We've been updating our records for the last few months, and been checking other publicly available sources to make sure we haven't missed listing any co-operative, credit union or caisse populaire that is based in, or operates in, Ontario. IF WE HAVE, PLEASE LET US KNOW!!

On Co-op has created, and will operate and maintain the e-directory. As each co-op reviews and updates its information, the e-directory will become larger and even more accurate. Remember that there is no one organization or government agency in Ontario that has ever compiled this type of information on ALL of Ontario's co-operatives, credit unions and caisses populaires in one place before.

SPREAD THE WORD...

• Please forward this e-mail to others in your networks, and include the information in your print and electronic communications. The more people and organizations that know about the e-directory, the larger and more accurate it can become.

• Associations, federations and alliances are encouraged to send this message to all of their members so that as many individuals and organizations as possible can verify the directory information. If you operate an intranet, blog or RSS feed, consider placing a link to the e-directory there.

• Please include a link to the e-directory on your website (perhaps on your home page or co-op contacts/links page). You may use this text, or feel free to create your own:

Ontario is home to more than 1,300 credit unions, caisses populaires and co-operatives, operating in over 1,900 locations throughout the province. The Ontario Co-operative Association (On Co-op) maintains a searchable electronic database of Ontario's co-operatives, credit unions and caisses populaires at www.coopsontario.com.

NEXT STEPS

The co-op sector will have about a week to review and verify the information before the information goes to the media. We will be sending a press release to all major media, scheduled for the week of March 17th. At that time, we expect a great deal of interest from the public, including academics, government and others.

Visit www.coopsontario.com to access the e-directory. Please review your listing as soon as you can.

** Please forward to others in your network... including your board, staff, committee members, champions, supporters and friends. Co-operative information is best shared! If this message didn't come directly from On Co-op, you may be added to our e-newsletter distribution list by sending your contact information to Mark Ventry mventry@ontario.coop If you'd like to receive our printed mailings (sent January and September), please send us your mailing address.

Call for papers - Canadian Association for Studies in Co-operation (CASC)

ANNUAL MEETING
JUNE 5 - 7, 2008
UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

Cooperative Renewal: Cooperatives in the Twenty-First Century

Cooperatives and theories of cooperation have successfully adjusted to extensive social, economic, and political challenges over the more than a century and a half of since the writings of Robert Owen and others influenced the founding of the Rochdale Cooperative in 1844.

In fact, renewal could be seen to be an essential feature of cooperative study and practice. However, it could also be argued that the combinations of forces confronting cooperatives and theories of cooperation in the twenty-first century pose the most serious challenge yet to their relevance and continued survival. This conference encourages scholars, practitioners, and "fellow travellers" of cooperation to participate in discussing frankly the necessity for, forms of, and challenges to, cooperative renewal as well as the adjustments required (if at all) for cooperation to survive and thrive throughout the upcoming century in Canada and the wider world.

Call for papers is available here: http://www.coopresearch.coop/?page_id=31

Call for Papers - New Views of Society: Robert Owen for the 21st Century

Conference date: 11-14 September 2008, New Lanark, Scotland
Deadline for proposals & papers: 30th March 2008

This major international conference will be a 2 stage event appealing to both academics from a range of disciplines and co-operative practitioners.

The first part of the conference (from the morning of Thursday 11th September to lunchtime on Saturday 13th) will consist of a series of interdisciplinary thematic sessions exploring various aspects of Owen’s ideas and their contemporary and future relevance. The second part of the event (from lunchtime on the 13th to lunchtime on the 14th) will have a practitioner focus. It will consist of invited speakers, interactive workshop sessions and the AGM and Annual Research Roundtable of the UK Society for Co-operative Studies.

While this formal call for papers is for contributions to the first part of the conference, the organisers hope that academic contributors and delegates will choose to stay on for the whole event.

The conference will include a tour of the New Lanark Mills Visitor Centre and a Dinner on the evening of Saturday 13th September. Accommodation will be available either in the New Lanark Mill Hotel, or New Lanark Youth Hostel.

This event is being organised by the UK Society for Co-operative Studies as part of a programme of events throughout 2008 to mark the 150th Anniversary of Robert Owen’s Death in co-operation with partners including the Co-operative Group, Co-operative College and New Lanark Heritage Trust.

Dates:

Deadline for receipt of proposals for papers or other contributions: 30th March 2008
Papers that have been selected will be confirmed by the 31st May 2008

Rationale:

Robert Owen was one of the giants of social, political and economic life in the nineteenth century. He combined an intellectual critique of emerging industrial society with a remarkable capacity for practical innovation. At New Lanark Mills in Scotland, not only did he pioneer the use of new technology in the textile industry, but he combined this with radical ideas about education and management.

He was one of the guiding inspirations for the global Co-operative Movement and under his influence ‘prophets of co-operation’ travelled all over Britain and internationally. As a ‘practical utopian’, he established, inspired and lived in various community experiments in both Britain and the USA organised according to his co-operative philosophy, and while in the UK these endeavours are generally thought to have ‘failed’, in the US his descendants are still to be found living at New Harmony, and the influence of his activities there upon the development of US politics has been significant.

In considering Owen’s legacy as part of the programme of events being organised to commemorate the 150th anniversary of his death, this conference is not intended to be an exercise in historical nostalgia. Rather, it aims to use the inspiration of Owen’s thinking in a wide range of areas to consider and debate the contemporary and future relevance of his ideas in the twenty first century.

Themes:

Session topics are grouped into 3 main themes. Below each theme are suggested some aspects of Owen’s thought in these areas that might be usefully explored, but this is not by any means an exhaustive list and the organisers would welcome further relevant proposals.

Part 1: Economic justice

- Ethical issues relating to trade
- Co-operative Management in theory and practise
- Trades Unions in the 21st Century
- Micro finance and Credit Unions

Part 2: Practical Utopia

- Community living and co-housing
- Time currencies
- The ‘e-commonwealth’
- ‘Socialism’ then and now

Part 3: Education for a better world

- Co-operative structures for delivering education
- Children’s Rights
- Co-operative Learning
- Adult and Continuing Education

There will also be a ‘history workshop’ style session on the Friday and Saturday exploring the impact and experiences of Co-operatives established for social change in the UK from the mid 1960s onwards. Please let us know if you have something to contribute to this theme.

Guidelines for papers and other contributions:

- 500 word proposals for papers or other contributions to sessions must be received (either by post, email, or both) by the UK SCS Secretary, Richard Bickle, no later than 31st March 2008.
- Proposed presentations should be no more than 20 minutes each in total.
- Presentations should make some reference to Owen’s work in the relevant area and show the ideas being explored relate to his thinking.
- Please include full contact details for the proposed speaker/s and clearly mark which session theme you feel your proposal fits in to.
- While we urge you to propose papers according to the session themes outlined above, if you have a proposal which does not fit into these topic areas, but which you feel is still relevant to the wider conference, please send it in anyway with a covering note explaining why you think it should be considered.
- The organisers are open to innovative or interactive formats for presentations. If this is what you are proposing, please set out exactly what you have in mind.
- The UK Society for Co-operative Studies does not have the funds to cover your attendance at the conference. However, we are negotiating a limited number of bursaries to support participation from individuals who could not otherwise afford to do so. If you are likely to require this kind of assistance, please inform the Secretary as soon as possible.

Richard Bickle (Secretary), UK Society for Co-operative Studies
Holyoake House, Hanover Street, Manchester, M60 0AS
Tel: 07768 184882, Email: richardbickle@cooptel.net, www.co-opstudies.org

Community-University Exposition (CUexpo) - May 4-7, 2008

We would first like to acknowledge that we will be meeting on the traditional territory of the Coast Salish First Nations.

Bringing the resources, dreams, assets and issues of our communities and our post-secondary institutions together is a movement that is building across Canada. We would like to most cordially invite you to participate in the third national CUexpo, the Community-University Exposition 2008 (CUexpo 2008)

Goals of CUexpo 2008

* celebrate and create opportunities for new community-university partnerships;
* support research that is collaborative and community-based and leads to positive change;
* create a space for policy-makers and university and community representatives to take action on research, resource-sharing and research ethics;
* provide opportunities for networking across Canada and world-wide.

Themes for CUexpo 2008

* community-university engagement, partnerships and ethics
* climate change and sustainable community green economic development
* life-long learning, popular education and community / green mapping
* environmental and social justice
* Youth engagement, food security
* Community and green economic development
* Aboriginal perspectives and cultural diversity
* women, poverty and social inclusion
* Homelessness, housing, health promotion and well-being

For more information, visit http://www.cuexpo08.ca/index.html

Call for Papers / Demande des communications - ANSER / ARES - January 14 deadline

Inaugural Annual Conference / Conférence annuelle inaugurale

ASSOCIATION FOR NONPROFIT AND SOCIAL ECONOMY RESEARCH (ANSER) / ASSOCIATION DE RECHERCHE DES ORGANISMES SANS BUT LUCRATIF ET DE L'ECONOMIE SOCIALE (ARES)

University of British Columbia
Vancouver
June 4 – 6, 2008

Deadline for receipt of proposals via email attachment: / Date limite de présentation des propositions en pièce jointe par courrier électronique :

January 14, 2008

La version française: http://www.anser-ares.ca/proposals_fr.asp

ANSER is a newly formed organization for the support and encouragement of research in the broad fields of social economy, the voluntary sector, and nonprofit organizations in Canada. We will hold our inaugural conference as part of the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences 2008 from June 4-6, 2008 at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. All those engaged in applied and theoretical research related to the ANSER mandate, including researchers from outside of Canada, are invited to submit proposals for papers, panels, and roundtables by January 14, 2008. ANSER is not limited to faculty and graduate students from universities and colleges; consultants and practitioners who engage in research are especially encouraged to submit proposals.

Examples of areas of interest include:

• accountability and performance evaluation in community organizations;
• charitable giving and philanthropy;
• citizen engagement, mobilization, and movements;
• civil society;
• community economic development;
• community service learning/community-university partnerships;
• conceptualizing the social economy;
• foundations;
• gender, race, diversity in the social economy;
• governance, democracy, and participation in community organizations;
• nonprofit mutual associations;
• nonprofit sector/government relations;
• organizational change in the social economy;
• public policy;
• regulatory and legal dimensions of nonprofits and the social economy;
• social and environmental accounting;
• social capital/informal co-operation;
• social economy human resource management and labour relations;
• social enterprises/social purpose businesses;
• volunteering.


Types of Proposals

Three types of proposals will be considered: individual papers, panels, and roundtables. Proposals should be submitted as email attachments in Microsoft Word to info@anser-ares.ca with the type of proposal indicated in the subject line (for example, paper, panel, or roundtable) . Proposals will be subject to peer review and notification of acceptance will be provided by February 28th. Authors of accepted papers will be required to provide a 5-8 page (double spaced) summary of their paper by May 1, 2008, for publication in online conference proceedings (editor, Peter Elson).

Paper Proposals

Paper proposals typically are presentations of research findings and theory on a topic. Paper proposals can also be think pieces and discussions of research and thesis proposals. Paper proposals should include a cover sheet containing the paper's title, name and affiliation of presenter(s), and contact information of each presenter including email. This should be followed by an abstract of not more than two pages including the paper's title and key reference sources.

Panel Proposals

Panels are collections of three or four papers on a related theme. Ideally, these papers build upon each other, thereby adding to the coherence of the panel. For a panel, the cover sheet with contact information for the entire group should be the first page, followed by a one-page overview of the panel, including its title, and then up to 2 pages for each participant (as described under paper proposals).

Roundtables

Roundtables are discussion groups ideally suited for the discussion of research needs or research in progress around specific topics, e.g., "Current research needs in nonprofit organization governance," with a designated facilitator. Roundtables, typically consisting of three to four individuals, are ideally suited for a mix of researchers and leaders of community organizations. For a roundtable, the cover sheet with contact information for the entire group and the roundtable's title should be the first page, followed by a two-page summary of the primary issues to be addressed.

Conference Information

Participants in the ANSER 2008 Conference should register through the website of the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences , which includes a reduction for early registration. The fees, posted on the website, include those for the Congress and the association. The Congress website also includes information on accommodation, discounts for travel, and local information. For more information, email us and please check the ANSER website for updates.

February 16 - Visionary Farmers and Visionary Consumers: How organics is transforming our world

Saturday, February 16, 2008 - one-day conference
9:00 am - 5:00 pm

89 Chestnut St., U of Toronto Conference Centre
Presented by Canadian Organic Growers
$65 ($85 after Jan 15); COG members $55

Includes an organic lunch and mini-market!
Info and registration: www.cog.ca or 1-888-375-7383 or email: conference@cog.ca

Why are more farmers and consumers choosing to go organic? Join us as we share how organic is making a difference in how we eat and live. You will be stirred with inspiring stories, the difficult challenges and the proven visions that are bringing organic food from the field to the table, creating new careers, markets and a more livable planet. Is there a role for you?

Keynote speaker: Helge Hellberg, Executive Director of Marin Organic
Marin Organic is an award winning, innovative organization of local farmers that is realizing a vision for the first all organic county in North America. They have inspired schools, businesses and governments to take a stand for an alternative way of doing business and in doing so show us what a sustainable food system looks like.

Panels on topics including “Where’s the local in organic?”; “Being organic in a non-organic world”; “Can organics feed Ontario”; and “Ensuring organic integrity”.
Panelists include: Ann Clark, Gavin Dandy, Dag Falck, Wayne Roberts, Wally Seccombe.

Plus a career track – meet the intrepid “new” farmers who, despite lacking land and farming skills, took the leap and followed their dreams of being organic farmers.

For a complete agenda, see http://www.cog.ca/visionaryfarmersvisionaryconsumers/home.htm

SEC January Speakers' Series/Webcast - Mapping the Social Economy: Three Views

David Lasby of Imagine Canada will discuss the recently completed mapping of Ontario's social economy that combines nonprofits, co-operatives, credit unions, and other community organizations.

Using data taken from the first-ever census of Ontario co-ops, credit unions and caisses populaires, Mark Ventry from the Ontario Co-operative Association will discuss the social and economic impact of the province's co-op sector, what census information surprised On Co-op, and what the data confirmed.

Sherida Ryan of OISE/University of Toronto will discuss Ontario organizations that meet the broad definition applied to social economy enterprises and that rely on internet-based technology to achieve their organizational objectives, their similarities to traditional social economy enterprises, use of information technology and their understanding of an online social economy enterprise.

Wednesday, January 16, 2007, noon - 1:30 pm
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto
Room 12-199, 12th floor, 252 Bloor Street West, Toronto
This event will be simultaneously webcast (see our website for details).

For more information, see http://sec.oise.utoronto.ca/english/lectures.php

TSCF 2008 INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL CAPITAL CONFERENCE, "Perspectives on Social Capital and Social Inclusion"

Buggiba, Malta
19-22 September 2008

The Social Capital Foundation invites papers and proposals for the TSCF 2008 International Social Capital Conference. The call will open on 2 January 2008. All papers and proposals should be submitted by 30 July 2008. For more detailed information (including guidelines, themes, submission and registration forms) please visit:

http://www.socialcapital-foundation.org/conferences/2008/TSCF%20International%20Conference%202008.htm

To submit a paper, a roundtable or to volunteer to serve as a chair or discussant, or if you have any questions, please contact conferences@socialcapital-foundation.org.

Papers submitted and accepted before 31 January 2008 will be inserted into the programme of the conference. Proposals are reviewed within two weeks of submission.

We look forward to receiving your proposal and hope you will be able to join us in Malta in September 2008.

***

The Social Capital Foundation
Mailing address: B.P. 30, 1310 Terhulpen, Belgium
Fax: +32-2-2569837
Website: http://www.socialcapital-foundation.org

CO-OP HOLIDAY GUIDE LAUNCHED

The winter holidays are a time to connect with friends and family and celebrate with each other. Some folks choose to exchange gifts, others hit the party circuit, and others host smaller intimate gatherings. No matter what the occasion, the co-op sector can help you meet your needs this season.

Ontario Co-operative Association (On Co-op) has put together a Co-op Holiday Guide to help you source all your holiday needs through the co-op sector. All of the co-ops listed provide products or services in Ontario, either through retail outlets or the Internet.

Available from the On Co-op home page at http://www.ontario.coop/pages/index.php?main_id=381.

There is still time to add your co-op's products or services to the list. E-mail the details to tgracie@ontario.coop.

This Holiday Season, Buy Union

Union members, college students, and all kinds of folks are doing the right thing by deciding to wear clothing made under decent conditions, in union shops instead of sweatshops. Click on the links below to find union-made, sweat-free suppliers.

Visit www.shopunionmade.org to buy items from artwork to chocolate, from books and clothing to clocks, computers, and vacation packages.

While you're planning your holiday trips, please visit our Union Hotel Guide (www.unitehere.org/hotelguide) and stay in UNITE HERE hotels across North America.

At Justice Clothing we don't think fashion should hurt. Justice Clothing's mission is to support democratic principles, workers' rights and economic sustainability through the sale and distribution of goods manufactured by workers protected by collective bargaining agreements. http://www.justiceclothing.com

Beyond grey pinstripes: Rankings of socially conscious business schools

Beyond Grey Pinstripes is a research survey and alternative ranking of business schools that spotlights innovative full-time MBA programs leading the way in the integration of issues concerning social and environmental stewardship in to the curriculum. These schools are preparing students for the reality of tomorrow's markets by equipping them with the social, environmental and economic perspectives required for business success in a competitive and fast changing world.

The Global 100

The Beyond Grey Pinstripes ranking is the result of over 18 months of rigorous research- designing the survey, outreach to full-time MBA programs around the world, data collection and analysis- looking at how well MBA programs incorporate social and environmental issues into the training of future business leaders. Over 40,000 pages of data were analyzed to come up with the 100 top MBA programs.


http://www.beyondgreypinstripes.org/rankings/index.cfm

Call for Papers - Association for Nonprofit and Social Economy Research (ANSER)

Inaugural Annual Conference / Conférence annuelle inaugurale

ASSOCIATION FOR NONPROFIT AND SOCIAL ECONOMY RESEARCH (ANSER) /
L'ASSOCIATION DE RECHERCHE DES ORGANISMS SANS BUT LUCRATIVE ET DE L'ÉCONOMIE SOCIALE (ARES)
 
University of British Columbia, Vancouver
June 4 – 6, 2008

Deadline for receipt of proposals via email attachment / Date limite de présentation des propositions en pièce jointe par courrier électronique: January 14, 2008

La version française suit 

ANSER is a newly formed organization for the support and encouragement of research in the broad fields of social economy, the voluntary sector, and nonprofit organizations in Canada. We will hold our inaugural conference as part of the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences 2008 from June 4-6, 2008 at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. All those engaged in applied and theoretical research related to the ANSER mandate, including researchers from outside of Canada, are invited to submit proposals for papers, panels, and roundtables by January 14, 2008. ANSER is not limited to faculty and graduate students from universities and colleges; consultants and practitioners who engage in research are especially encouraged to submit proposals.

Examples of areas of interest include:

•       Accountability and performance evaluation in community organizations
•       Charitable giving and philanthropy
•       Citizen engagement, mobilization, and movements
•       Civil society
•       Community economic development
•       Community service learning/community-university partnerships
•       Conceptualizing the social economy
•       Foundations
•       Gender, race, diversity in the social economy
•       Governance, democracy, and participation in community organizations
•       Nonprofit mutual associations
•       Nonprofit sector/government relations
•       Organizational change in the social economy
•       Public policy
•       Regulatory and legal dimensions of nonprofits and the social economy
•       Social and environmental accounting
•       Social capital/informal co-operation
•       Social economy human resource management and labour relations
•       Social enterprises/social purpose businesses
•       Volunteering

Types of Proposals

Three types of proposals will be considered: individual papers, panels, and roundtables. Proposals should be submitted as email attachments in Microsoft Word to info@anser-ares.ca with the type of proposal indicated in the subject line (for example, paper, panel, or roundtable). Proposals will be subject to peer review and notification of acceptance will be provided by February 28th. Authors of accepted papers will be required to provide a 5-8 page (double spaced) summary of their paper by May 1, 2008, for publication in online conference proceedings (editor, Peter Elson).

Paper Proposals
Paper proposals typically are presentations of research findings and theory on a topic. Paper proposals can also be think pieces and discussions of research and thesis proposals. Paper proposals should include a cover sheet containing the paper's title, name and affiliation of presenter(s), and contact information of each presenter including email. This should be followed by an abstract of not more than two pages including the paper's title and key reference sources.

Panel Proposals
Panels are collections of three or four papers on a related theme. Ideally, these papers build upon each other, thereby adding to the coherence of the panel. For a panel, the cover sheet with contact information for the entire group should be the first page, followed by a one-page overview of the panel, including its title, and then up to 2 pages for each participant (as described under paper proposals).

Roundtables
Roundtables are discussion groups ideally suited for the discussion of research needs or research in progress around specific topics, e.g., "Current research needs in nonprofit organization governance," with a designated facilitator. Roundtables, typically consisting of three to four individuals, are ideally suited for a mix of researchers and leaders of community organizations. For a roundtable, the cover sheet with contact information for the entire group and the roundtable's title should be the first page, followed by a two-page summary of the primary issues to be addressed.

Conference Information

Participants in the ANSER 2008 Conference should register through the website of the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, which includes a reduction for early registration. The fees, posted on the website, include those for the Congress and the association. The Congress website also includes information on accommodation, discounts for travel, and local information. For more information, email and please check the ANSER website http://www.anser-ares.ca for updates.


Invitation à présenter des communications pour la Conférence inaugurale de l'ARES

L'ARES est une association canadienne créée depuis peu pour appuyer et promouvoir la recherche sur l'économie sociale, le secteur bénévole et communautaire et les organismes sans but lucratif au sens large au Canada. Notre Conférence inaugurale aura lieu dans le cadre du Congrès des sciences humaines, du 4 au 6 juin 2008, à l'Université de la Colombie-Britannique à Vancouver. Toutes les personnes qui participent à des travaux de recherche appliquée et théorique, pertinents par rapport à la vocation de l'ARES, y compris des chercheurs de pays étrangers, sont invités à proposer des communications, des panels et des tables rondes, pour le 14 janvier 2008. L'ARES n'est pas réservée aux enseignants et aux étudiants de cycle supérieur des universités et des collèges; les consultants et les intervenants impliqués dans des travaux de recherche sont vivement invités à soumettre leurs propositions.

Les domaines d'intérêt sont notamment les suivants :

•       apprentissage par le service communautaire/partenariats entre la collectivité et l'université;
•       associations mutuelles sans but lucratif;
•       bénévolat;
•       cadre réglementaire et juridique des organismes sans but lucratif et de l'économie sociale;
•       capital social et collaboration informelle;
•       comptabilité sociale et environnementale;
•       conceptualisation de l'économie sociale;
•       développement économique communautaire;
•       dons de charité et philanthropie;
•       entreprises sociales/entreprises à but social
•       évolution des organismes de l'économie sociale;
•       fondations;
•       gestion des ressources humaines et relations de travail dans les organismes communautaires;
•       gouvernance, démocratie et participation dans les organismes communautaires;
•       participation, mobilisation et mouvements de citoyens;
•       politiques publiques;
•       relations entre le secteur sans but lucratif et les gouvernements;
•       responsabilité et évaluation du rendement au sein des organismes communautaires;
•       sexe, race et diversité dans l'économie sociale;
•       société civile.
 

Types de propositions

Trois types de propositions seront mis à l'étude : les communications individuelles, les panels et les tables rondes. Ces propositions sont à transmettre en format Microsoft Word et en pièce jointe à info@anser-ares.ca en mentionnant le type de proposition dans la ligne-objet (communication, panel ou table ronde) . Ces propositions seront évaluées par les pairs et leur acceptation sera notifiée pour le 28 février. Les auteurs des communications acceptées seront priés de fournir un résumé de 5 à 8 pages (à double interligne) de leur communication pour le 1er mai 2008, en vue de sa publication dans les actes de la Conférence (coordonnateur : Peter Elson ).

Propositions de communication
Les propositions de communication exposent en principe des conclusions de travaux de recherche et une théorie sur un thème particulier. Les propositions de communication peuvent également être des textes de réflexion, ainsi que des commentaires de travaux de recherche et des propositions de thèse. Les propositions de communication doivent comporter un document de présentation, précisant le titre de la communication, le nom et l'organisme du ou des conférenciers et les coordonnées de chacun d'eux, y compris leur adresse électronique. Ce document devrait précéder un résumé de deux pages au plus, mentionnant le titre de la communication et les principaux ouvrages de référence.

Propositions de panel
Un panel est un groupe de trois ou quatre communications traitant de thèmes connexes. Ces communications s'appuient théoriquement l'une sur l'autre, ce qui augmente la cohérence du panel. Le document de présentation d'un panel devrait indiquer les coordonnées de tout le groupe et précéder une présentation générale du panel d'une page, mentionnant son titre, puis deux pages au maximum par participant (au contenu identique à celui décrit pour les propositions de communication).

Tables rondes
Les tables rondes sont des groupes de discussion constitués théoriquement pour débattre des besoins de recherche ou des travaux de recherche en cours sur des thèmes particuliers « p. ex., besoins de recherche actuels sur la gouvernance des organismes sans but lucratif ». Une personne est désignée pour les animer. Trois ou quatre personnes participent en principe aux tables rondes, qui conviennent parfaitement à un groupe composé à la fois de chercheurs et de dirigeants d'organisme communautaire. Pour une table ronde, le document de présentation du groupe entier sera la première page, qui indiquera son titre et qui précédera un résumé de deux pages des principales questions traitées.

Renseignements sur la Conférence

Les participants de la Conférence 2008 de l'ARES doivent s'inscrire à partir du site Web du Congrès des sciences humaines, qui offre une réduction pour les inscriptions hâtives. Les frais affichés sur ce site Web correspondent aux frais d'inscription au Congrès et d'adhésion à l'Association. Le site Web du Congrès contient également des informations sur l'hébergement, les tarifs de voyage à prix réduit et des informations locales. Adressez un courriel pour vous renseigner. Merci de bien vouloir consulter les mises à jour qui seront publiées sur le site Web de l'ARES http://www.anser-ares.ca/default_fr.asp.

Social Economy Centre (SEC) Lunchbox Speaker Series, November 28

The Social Economy Centre of the University of Toronto invites you to the next event in its speaker series on Wednesday, November 28th: "Social Purpose Business for Persons with Psychiatric and Developmental Handicaps” with Carolyn Lemon (Board Member, Common Ground Co-operative), Laurie Hall (Executive Director, AWAY Express) and John Trainor (Director, Community Support and Research Unit, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health). The event will also be webcast live on the Internet. Please see the SEC website for detailed instructions at http://sec.oise.utoronto.ca/english/lectures.php.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
University of Toronto
252 Bloor St. West, Room 12-199
Toronto

Canadian Worker Cooperative Federation (CWCF) AGM/Conference 2007: Worker Co-ops and Community Sustainability

Thursday, November 22nd to Saturday, November 24th, 2007
Ancaster, Ont. (near Hamilton), Canterbury Hills Conference Centre

For more information: http://www.coopzone.coop/files/ConfProgram12Nov07.doc

Workshop Nov 30/07: Greening your Organization So Everyone Wins

The Social Economy Centre is running a new workshop series/certificate on cutting edge issues affecting the social economy during the Fall 2007 and Winter/Spring 2008. The next workshop will be led by Paula Anderson from Peterborough Green-Up, on 'Greening your Organization So Everyone Wins', on November 30, 2007.

For more information, go to http://socialeconomy.utoronto.ca and click on Workshops/Certificate, or contact Lisa White, Workshop Co-ordinator at secworkshops@oise.utoronto.ca

Community Development Society (CDS) Annual International Conference, June 22-25, 2008 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

Theme: Conversation, Collaboration and Democracy: Creative Community Engagement

The annual CDS conference provides an opportunity for students,
practitioners, researchers, and policymakers to share experiences,
expertise, and/or research findings on strategies to improve the
process and practice of community development. The Program Planning
Committee will accept Abstracts for proposed presentations for the
2008 Conference. Researchers, academics, and policy makers are
strongly encouraged to partner with practitioners on the submission
of abstracts and presentation of sessions.

The "Call for Papers" is available from www.comm-dev.org

Deadline for Submission of Abstracts is October 31, 2007

Social Economy Centre Half-Day Workshop: BOARD-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS

BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN THE IDEAL AND REALITY IN THE GOVERANCE OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
Friday, September 21, 2007 - 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Workshop leader: VIC MURRAY, Adjunct Professor, School of Public Administration, University of Victoria

Vic Murray is an internationally renowned scholar and specializes in the study of voluntary sector organizations of all types with particular emphasis on the areas of board governance, strategic planning, inter-organizational collaboration and the assessment of organizational effectiveness. He is also an active consultant in these areas and is the driving force behind the Volunteer Sector Knowledge Network project.

As part of the Social Economy Centre’s 2007-2008 offerings, Dr. Murray will present a workshop exploring the “stubborn paradox in the governance of community organizations by their boards of directors.” This workshop will also offer participants the opportunity to examine solutions for bridging the gap between the ideal and the real-world experience in the governance of community organizations.

For years, books, articles, web-sites and consultants have been offering all kinds of advice on how boards ought to operate and relate to the organizations they govern. Yet many boards have a very difficult time living up to these ideals or choose not to even try. Why is this? Is it the fault of the boards and managers? Or is it possible that the advice itself is not always what is needed?

Join us in this workshop to:

• Explore the gaps between the ideal and reality in board governance
• Learn how to develop ways of bringing the ideal and reality closer together
• Learn how to use contingency-based analysis and tailored board development approaches

FORMAT: An interactive workshop with opportunities to ask questions and tailor the information to your own organization.

DATE: Friday, September 21, 2007 - 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

COST: $100 + GST; Each additional participant from the same organization will receive a $15 discount.

LOCATION: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, room 5-175
252 Bloor Street West, Toronto (St. George subway station).

To register, click here or for more information contact Lisa White at: secworkshops@oise.utoronto.ca

Please note; space is reserved in these workshops on a first-come, first-served basis.

2007-08 Social Economy Certificate/Workshop Series

The Social Economy Centre (SEC) of the University of Toronto is pleased to offer its 2007-08 workshop series. These half-day workshops (9 am to noon) can be taken individually or applied towards a Certificate (requires completion of 5 or more workshops).

Download poster of workshops

September 21, 2007: BOARD-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS: Bridge the gap between the ideal and reality in the governance of community organizations. Full description.
Workshop Leader: Vic Murray, University of Victoria

October 26: ROCK PAPER SCISSORS: Gain insights and enhance your strategies for voluntary sector/government relations. Full description.
Workshop Leader: Peter Elson, University of Toronto

November 30: GREEN YOUR ORGANIZATION SO EVERYONE WINS!: Turn your organization in a sustainable direction – environmentally, economically and socially. Full description.
Workshop Leaders: Paula Anderson, Manager, Waste Reduction Program, Peterborough Green-Up; and Sue McGregor-Hunter, Executive Director, Peterborough Green-Up

January 30, 2008: NON-PROFITS AND EMERGING INTERNET TECHNOLOGIES : Explore ways internet-mediated technology can add value to your organization. Full description.
Workshop Leader: Sherida Ryan, University of Toronto

February 29 , 2008: HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN NON-PROFITS AND OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS: Develop progressive human resource management practices for non-profit organizations. Full description.
Workshop Leader: Kunle Akingbola, University of Toronto

March 28: SOCIAL ACCOUNTING FOR NON-PROFITS AND CO-OPERATIVES: Learn how to account for volunteer value in your organization. Full description.
Workshop Leaders: Laurie Mook, University of Toronto; Jack Quarter, University of Toronto; B.J. Richmond, York University; and Eric Plato, Frontier College

April 25: STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR NON-PROFITS, CO-OPERATIVES AND OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS: Discover how to develop a strategic plan that really works! Full description.
Workshop Leader: Jane Garthson, Garthson Leadership Centre

May 30: MENTORING IN NON-PROFITS: Learn how the Mentors Circle can add value to your organization. Full description.
Workshop Leader: Elizabeth Verwey, Small Office Mentors

June 20: COLLABORATION THROUGH CO-LOCATION: STRATEGIES FOR SHARING RESOURCES: Explore how organizations can work together to achieve greater efficiency and build a sense of community. Full description.
Workshop Leader: Eli Malinsky, Centre for Social Innovation

To register, click here.

For more information contact Lisa White at: secworkshops@oise.utoronto.ca

Please note; space is reserved in these workshops on a first-come, first-served basis.

Cost: $100 + GST for the first workshop, and $85 + GST for subsequent workshops. A Certificate is awarded for 5 or more courses.

Location: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, 252 Bloor St. W., Toronto, Ontario (St. George subway station)