Forums

Think Big! Issues in Philanthropy Forums

Are you looking for answers to the big questions facing our sector? Then sign up for one of this year’s exciting Congress forums!

These sessions will focus on today’s issues in philanthropy that affect us all. Whether you’re a volunteer, a seasoned development professional or new to the field, we’ll get you thinking on a higher plane.

Complete your Congress experience by participating in one, two or all three forums. Our renowned presenters and panelists are ready to challenge you, engage you, and inspire you think big! 

F-01 FORUM 1: Closing the Leadership Gap in the Not-For-Profit Sector - Tuesday, November 25 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Moderator: Joanne Linzey, Manager, developing labour force strategies for the voluntary and non-profit sector, Human Resources Council for the Voluntary/Non-Profit Sector 

Panelists:

We are experiencing a sector-wide demand for strong leadership and effective management. Finding and keeping great people, offering appropriate compensation for work done, and an overall leadership deficit are common challenges faced by many of us – and contributing to knowledge loss, inefficiencies, and high turnover rates.

The goal of this forum is to address these central HR challenges by engaging in a dialogue with a panel of experts in areas of market research, incentives and compensation, training and development, recruitment, and retention. Panelists will speak to these issues and take questions from both the moderator and the floor, particularly around succession planning, training, and on-going management. 

F-02 FORUM 2:  Demographics as Destiny: A Look Through the Hourglass - Tuesday, November 25 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Moderator: Karen Ward, President, Curiosity Inc.

One cannot understand the future without looking at demographics.  The make-up of a society shapes every aspect of civic life, from politics, economics and culture to the kinds of products, services, businesses and not-for-profit organizations that are likely to succeed or fail.

By 2015, Canada and the United States will be in the throes of a profound demographic shift that will transform every aspect of our lives.  The “pyramid” population will have become a thing of the past as the “hourglass” society emerges, with the largest number of older people in our history – the Boomers - resting at the top, the largest group of young people since the Boomers - the Millennials or Gen Y - residing at the bottom and Gen X camping out in the narrow middle.

This hourglass society will bring an avalanche of new social challenges, cultural norms and business opportunities. Are you ready?

Outcomes:

• To clarify what demographics is and why it is important for the not-for-profit sector
• To identify the key generational cohorts, illuminate what has defined their experience and how the attitudes and values resulting from that experience shapes their expectations as consumers, employees, volunteers and donors
• To discuss the impact of and opportunities presented by the current and emerging demographic landscape in Canada and the United States for the not-for-profit sector 

F-03 FORUM 3:  Let’s Start a Revolution! - Tuesday, November 25 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Moderator: Tony Elischer, FInstF (Cert), Managing Director, THINK Consulting Solutions

In his fast-moving and dynamic style, Tony will share his latest thinking around challenges we face, and how we need to be more radical in finding solutions and future directions. Doing what you did yesterday and today simply won’t be good enough for the future, so here's a manifesto for a new era in fundraising. You'll leave this session challenged, energized and, above all, full of ideas for change and practical action.