Issue #3, June 2008

This Issue:

• Welcome
• The Intersection of Agencies and Funders
• Agency Announcements

Welcome

This is the third issue of the electronic newsletter afsa news - a quarterly publication of the Association of Family Serving Agencies. Please forward this newsletter and encourage anyone interested to subscribe. Send a message to info@communitycouncil.ca to promote events or suggest articles for the next newsletter.

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The Intersection of Agencies and Funders -
Keynote Speaker: Tim Brodhead

Written by Theresa Aspol

At AFSA's invitation, Tim Brodhead, President and CEO of the McConnell Family Foundation, continued a discussion begun in November about the state of the non-profit sector. Addressing members at AFSA's Annual General Meeting, Mr. Brodhead reiterated that the sector, as it is currently structured, is not sustainable.

Mr. Brodhead commended the United Way of Greater Victoria for initiating longer-term funding for agencies' operational expenses. At the same time, he suggests that we need to acknowledge the interdependence
of donors and non-profits. Instead of the inherently unequal relationship of beggar and noble donor, we need to acknowledge that both sides are equally responsible for advancing solutions to complicated
social problems.

The sector faces three striking challenges:

Focus on Results: the infusion of business language and concepts into the non-profit culture has led to
an unrealistic expectation that goals be achieved within a funding cycle. This misguided approach is inadequate in the face of complex problems. It also dampens innovation by making the risk of failure impossible.

Societal Shifts: No work happens in a vacuum and successful non-profits are able to consider the wider policy framework in which they operate. Our efforts need to be broad enough to focus both the service we provide while at the same time working to reduce the systemic barriers that create the need for the service
in the first place. In addition, non-profits, like businesses, face competition in a changing world. Demographics, diversity and technology are all significant shifts to consider.

Sustainability: This refers not only to maintaining an organization, but an agency's ability to be resilient in the face of change. Mr. Brodhead recommends that non-profits develop more flexible business models
that rely on multiple streams of revenue and that contain, where possible, elements of a social enterprise. Hiring people who are technologically proficient and using more communication technology to promote a cause rather than an agency are ideas that he explored.

Mr. Brodhead admitted to not having the answers to the many questions that his suggestions raise. He advised people to approach their work with creativity, flexibility and ingenuity as we answer the question, "How do we advance this important work, of which our organization is one piece?"

AFSA gratefully acknowledges the generous support of this event's funders: Queen Alexandra Foundation, United Way of Greater Victoria and the Victoria Foundation.

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Agency Announcements

The Mentorship Network Presents: Best Practices in Mentoring -
the Big Brothers Big Sisters Experience

Rhonda Brown, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS), runs one of the largest mentoring programs in Victoria. BBBS is an international organization that designed one of the first models of mentoring with youth.

June 19th, 2008
9:00am - 11:30am
Hillside Seniors Wellness Centre
1454 Hillside Avenue
Cost: $20
Click here to read event details (pdf)

Pacific Centre Family Services Association AGM

June 19th, 2008
5:30pm
Church of the Advent
Sooke Road

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Research Project

The "Legal Issues Facing Grandparents Raising Grandchildren" research project is holding another discussion group in Victoria, this time for service providers, such as social workers, school teachers/counselors, nurses, government reps, etc. to discuss the legal issues from their perspectives.

June 23rd, 2008
9:15am to 12:00pm
University of Victoria Campus - Fraser Building
Law Faculty Student Lounge
(Refreshments Provided)
Click here to read event details (pdf)

NEED Crisis and Information Line AGM

There will be a presentation about the new youthspace.ca, as well as light refreshments, and an
opportunity for membership renewal.

June 24, 2008
12 noon
CNIB building
2340 Richmond Ave

Triathlon of Compassion

All pledges raised go to the Victoria Women's Sexual Assault Centre

July 13, 2008
6:00am
Esquimalt Recreation Centre
500m swim, 19k bike, 5k run
Visit www.tri-vi.com/toc for further information.

Adventure Camp Carnival by Big Brothers Big Sisters and Boys and Girls Club Services

Come out to Metchosin to have a day of summer fun! BBBS and BGCS are having a Carnival with loads of classic games like Plinko and the Bean Bag Toss, as well as camp fun such as canoeing, archery, and a climbing wall! Games only cost between 25¢ - 50¢.

Contact Boys and Girls Club at 384-9133 or Big Brothers Big Sisters at 475-1117 for more information.

July 19, 2008
3900 Metchosin Road
at the Boys and Girls Clubs' Metchosin Camp

Promoting and Supporting Breastfeeding

VIHA and Tse'wultun Health Centre present guest speaker Professor Mary Renfrew.

July 28, 2008
Travelodge Silver Bridge Inn
Duncan, B.C.
Click here for more details.

Aboriginal Back to School Picnic

Surrounded by Cedar Child and Family Services is having their 6th Annual Aboriginal Back to School
Picnic. It's a free event that provides lunch, games, crafts, dunk tank, and bouncy house, as well as a backpack full of school supplies for registered children to start the new school year.

Children can also enter to win a computer in the Computer Give Away Contest. For registration forms and details on the Computer Give Away Contest, call Maria Sampare at 383-2990 or check out www.surroundedbycedar.com. Both registration and contest closes on June 30, 2008.

Surrounded By Cedar are looking for as much community support as possible for this event, with an anticipated 800 community members at the picnic. Contact Maria at 383-2990 if interested in
volunteering either on the day or on an ongoing basis.

August 16, 2008
11am - 3pm
Rudd Park
3259 Irma Street (off Harriet Road)

Summer with Victoria Silver Threads

Victoria Silver Threads has a full line up of summer programs and events.

Click here to view their summer calendar.

September - Back to School with Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS)

In-School Mentoring Program Launch: BBBS are looking for adults who would like to make a difference
this school season by being a positive role model for a child. It only takes one hour a week and it's fun! Choose from playing sports to making crafts: if it's something you've liked doing since elementary school, why not do it with a child at their local elementary school? You don't have to change your life to change theirs!

If you'd like to sign up right away, or if you have any questions or reservations, please feel free to call
BBBS, who are happy to answer any questions you might have!

Victoria Women's Sexual Assault Centre Appoints New Executive Director

The Victoria Women's Sexual Assault Centre (VWSAC) has appointed Makenna Rielly as Executive
Director starting in June 2008. Ms. Rielly has a rich and diverse background in community agency leadership and brings a wealth of experience in social service administration as well as a long history of feminist activism. Ms. Rielly will be relocating from her current position as the Executive Director of the
Valley Integration to Active Living Society. Sandy McLellan, current VWSAC Executive Director, is retiring
after 20 years with the centre and will be greatly missed.

VWSAC has also announced that they will be moving to a new location in the Central Building at 620
View St. at the end of August 2008.

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