Social Entrepreneurship Revisited

At the risk of rambling and knowing this is no bully pulpit - we save that for face to face sessions. Be forewarned and move on, if so inclined.

Paul C. Light's item in SSIR - see above for link - continues from a previous piece, Reshaping Social Entrepreneurship, Aug 06. The August item essentially calls for a "big tent" with greater inclusivity. Given the trepidation among funders/investors and the professionals engaged by civil society and non-governmental organizations toward "social entrepreneurs", perhaps a big tent was comforting.

That was then, and Paul currently writes,

I have drilled through hundreds of articles and books on social and business entrepreneurship, and I have surveyed 131 highly, moderately, and not-too-entrepreneurial organizations. And I discovered that many of the assumptions that I rejected in 2006 turned out to be true after all. Whereas I once believed that virtually everyone could become a social entrepreneur, I am now convinced that there are special sets of attitudes, skills, and practices that make social entrepreneurs and their work distinctive from more traditional public service. As a result, I have become much more concerned about how we can identify potential social entrepreneurs, give them the training and support they need, and increase the odds that their work will succeed.

I shudder considering a dark future where some game-changing b-school unveils a new degree programme ... the MSIb (Master of Social Innovation in Business), the lowercase "b" ... 'cause it's social innovation via business - baby.

I have nothing against training, skill enhancement, or any other device to sharpen mental acuity; however in the case of social entrepreneurs, success hinges on resilience, near term clarity, story-telling, and the acceptance of uninformed - from the social entrepreneurs viewpoint - scrutiny.

These behaviors allow the social entrepreneur to attract resources that refine and advance the undertaking instead to diffusing the raison d'etre of the enterprise.

The eco-system that supports the current dis-equilibrium (as perceived by the social entrepreneur) will persist. Why? That eco-system is supporting, invariably a "good solution" based "on the resources available". The social entrepreneur's "great solution" will be trumped by the "good solution" unless a new eco-system, one fashioned by the social entrepreneur, can be introduced.

And ... ya can't train that!
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Interested in learning more about social enterprise? Take a browse through the Vancouver Social Enterprise Book Store (Vancouver | United Kingdom | United States) and see what other social entrepreneurs recommend reading.

Tags for information about: for:vsef, Social Entrepreneur, Nonprofit, Social Innovation

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UN-HABITAT Opportunities Fund - Dealine June 15

We're delighted to pass this forward - regret the short notice. And ... please pass along

The deadline for applications for the UN-HABITAT Opportunities Fund for Urban Youth-led Development has been extended to 15 June 2009. If your organization is working on an innovative and sustainable project that will improve the lives of young people and make a positive impact on your community, you could be eligible to receive a grant.

The Opportunities Fund for Urban Youth-led Development has been set up to support urban based Youth-led organizations in developing countries who are working to improve the living conditions of their communities. The Fund will give grants between $5,000 and $25,000 to organizations led by young people, aged 15-32 years.

The Fund is committed to support innovative youth-led projects in areas such as employment, education, environment, health and safety. Applications from organizations partnering with government agencies and the private sector are encouraged. Projects promoting gender equality are particularly welcome.

Application guidelines are here, and the deadline is June 15.
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Interested in learning more about social enterprise? Take a browse through the Vancouver Social Enterprise Book Store (Vancouver | United Kingdom | United States) and see what other social entrepreneurs recommend reading.

for:vsef, Social Economy, Nonprofit, Social Innovation

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Canada's Slum - A Globe & Mail Perspective

The Globe & Mail is looking at the DTES - offering a riveting multi-media exploration of "Canada's Slum". The material is ... provocative. A good thing. Right?

We'd appreciate your on-line participation. If that's not your thing ... consider coming to ...

On March 24 at 7 p.m. PT, The Globe, in partnership with CTV and the University of British Columbia, will bring together experts with fresh solutions for the Downtown Eastside at a public forum at UBC’s Robson Square campus.

For tickets, call toll-free 1-866-545-0016

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Interested in learning more about social enterprise? Take a browse through the Vancouver Social Enterprise Book Store (Vancouver | United Kingdom | United States) and see what other social entrepreneurs recommend reading.

Tags for information about: for:vsef, Social Enterprise, Social Economy, DTES

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Pivot says "RCMP secretly funded anti-Insite research"

Prompted by elections here, there and everywhere ... we've been busily discussing the role of business, civil society and government and social innovation.

Then ... Pivot's news release took hold of our coffee chatter.

Without comment, here's what Pivot has to say:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 8, 2008

RCMP secretly funded anti-Insite research

Formal complaint to Auditor General requests an investigation into RCMP financing of four injection site critiques

Vancouver – Pivot Legal Society is calling upon Sheila Fraser, the Auditor General of Canada, to examine whether or not RCMP funding of academic critiques of Insite went beyond the legislated mandate of the RCMP and constituted a misuse of public funds.

In 2006 officers of the RCMP’s “E” Division, based in Vancouver, commissioned four authors to write opinion pieces on the scientific research surrounding Vancouver’s safe injection site in the hopes of questioning Insite’s effectiveness. One of these pieces, entitled “A Critique of Canada’s INSITE Injection Site and its Parent Philosophy: Implications and Recommendations for Policy Planning”, was authored by Colin Mangham, director of research for the Drug Prevention Network of Canada, and subsequently relied upon by Health Minister Tony Clement as proof that the research surrounding Insite was inconclusive.

“The RCMP Act gave the RCMP a mandate to act as peace officers for the citizens of Canada. Using public funds entrusted to them to fund a cynical critique of health-based research clearly does not fall within this mandate” states Douglas King, a lawyer with Pivot Legal Society.

Internal E-mails show true motivation of the RCMP

A series of e-mails, obtained through Freedom of Information requests, show the true motives of the RCMP in funding the anti-Insite critiques and how they wished to keep their involvement a secret.

In one of these e-mails former Constable Chuck Doucette of the “E” division reports to his superiors that “Dr. Mangham’s report has now been published…As per our request, the report has no reference to the RCMP”. Other emails refer to the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS as the “Centre for Excrements”, and call on members of the RCMP to phone in to a local radio show, stating “You know that the Pro Insite side will have people lined up to support it. Let’s try get more calls in than they do”.

E-mails also show that Conservative MPs met with the RCMP officials who commissioned the reports, and talked about shifting Canada’s drug strategy away from harm reduction. One RCMP email states “As we know, with a minority government, it isn’t going to change overnight; but, at least we know this is what they will be pushing for when they can.”

Supporting documents are here.
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Interested in learning more about social enterprise? Take a browse through the Vancouver Social Enterprise Book Store (Vancouver United Kingdom United States) and see what other social entrepreneurs recommend reading.

Tags for information about: for:vsef, Social Policy, INSITE, Pivot

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[Comment] Georgia Straight - Charities muzzled in election

Pieta Woolley’s brief article raises more questions about the quality of civic engagement than the challenges of navigating CRA guidelines. There is an endemic over reliance on Canada’s primary funding mechanism, the charitable receipt, which encourages too many Board Directors and Executive Directors to spend time considering opportunities presented by generational wealth transfer than advancing the organizational mission.

The universe of Canadian civil society organizations is varied in voice, yet united in a self-limiting attachment to the primary funder – government. Instead of hand wringing over CRA, members of civil society organizations are better served by encouraging their leadership to explore sustainable revenue mechanisms.

In the UK, the government support for the growth of social enterprise acknowledged civil society as a critical dynamic in societal well-being. As a “third sector” in the economy, community organizations have a duty to fully express the needs of their constituency and be financially viable. The two are inextricable.

The CRA Charities Directorate offers a blunt attempt at public accountability for a sector that is under valued for its’ impact on the daily lives of all Canadians. Finger pointing in the direction of CRA misses a core issue.

It’s worth noting:

• CRA publishes a list of de-registered/annulled charities and the Canada Gazette provides added detail, which range from administrative issues to amalgamation.
  


• IMPACS, with Sisyphean effort under Ms. Sylvester’s leadership, attempted to spur robust community organization dialogue in partnership with the business community – most evidently through VanCity. IMPACS “Election Kit” should be on every Executive Directors desk.



• Paul Martin’s government had undertaken steps to invigorate civil society initiatives and encourage the development of social enterprises, based primarily on the successes in Quebec, as part of his last tabled budget.

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Interested in learning more about social enterprise? Take a browse through the Vancouver Social Enterprise Book Store (Vancouver | United Kingdom | United States) and see what other social entrepreneurs recommend reading.

Tags for information about: for:vsef, Social Enterprise, Nonprofit, CRA

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Pivot Presents: Justice Rocks

On August 30, 2008 Pivot is hosting Justice Rocks, a free, all-day music festival in East Van's Strathcona! Justice Rocks aims to bring together all things progressive: social and environmental justice movements, independent music, and, of course, Vancouverites!

Pivot's Executive Director, John Richardson said:

"We wanted to hold a summer event that brings together music and ideas for social change Justice Rocks is about showing how fun it can be to help make the world a better place."

Vision:
Music has proven one of the most effective tools for promoting positive social change to a broad, mainstream audience. Calls for social change have found expression in just about every modern musical form (hip-hop, reggae, punk, rock, heavy metal) as well as many older forms (Negro spirituals, union anthems). Justice Rocks will build on this synergy, using music not only as a means of expression, but as a backdrop for pioneering ideas and pop-culture symbols that bring social and environmental justice to the cultural mainstream.

A roster of popular local indie rock bands will provide the central music focus for the first year of the event, backed by a high-tech sound stage and professional event production. Against the backdrop of fantastic music, a team of cutting-edge non-profit advocacy groups will provide engaging programming and displays for both adults and children on the theme of 'What does Justice look like?", promoting new solutions and encouraging reflection on the role of social and environmental justice on the road to a better future. A variety of artists will also express on the theme of social change, using media and performance to create a contemporary perspective on the age-old idea of justice.

Tickets:
Available via a partnership with GiveMeaning, who are offering virtual tickets to Justice Rocks. Virtual Ticket holders will receive a Justice Rocks t-shirt and a tax-receipt, as well as a special invitation to the Justice Rocks AfterParty - join the band members, volunteers, and organizers for the party that starts after the concert!

Justice Rocks will be awarding prizes to the top three people who get their friends to purchase virtual tickets, so get your friends to buy their tickets today!

Volunteers:
The event is looking for site volunteers, organizers, promoters, videographers – you name it – to help with the lead up to the event, the concert, and the after-party.
Aside from connecting with other awesome folks who are also volunteering, and helping to launch the first year of a great event, Justice Rocks volunteers will also receive a free Justice Rocks t-shirt, 2 tickets to the after party, and special identification at the event.

Here's a contact if you have any other questions.

Mark it on your calendar!
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Interested in learning more about social enterprise? Take a browse through the Vancouver Social Enterprise Book Store (Vancouver | United Kingdom | United States) and see what other social entrepreneurs recommend reading.

Tags for information about: for:vsef, Pivot Legal, Nonprofit, GiveMeaning

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[Opportunity] SPUD! - Senior Marketing Manager

SPUD! (Small Potatoes Urban Delivery) is the largest organic and natural foods delivery service in North America with delivery areas in seven locations across the Pacific Coast (Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles). The company has over 18,000 customers and over 200 staff.

I like David's summary better:

The idea for spud! originally came to me when I was working as a sustainability business consultant, making a business case for companies to improve their social and environmental performance. While I enjoyed the work, I wanted to do more than advise other people, I wanted to create a company that would integrate social and environmental values in its everyday business.

That day came in March 1998, when spud! opened the doors of its small warehouse in the downtown eastside of Vancouver, B.C., and made its first 9 deliveries (and we thought the day would never end!). While spud! was a much more difficult business to run than I ever imagined possible, it was everything I hoped for from a sustainability perspective:


We protect the environment by buying local, organic, minimally packaged and eco-friendly products;

We build community by creating direct connections between our food suppliers and customers;

We reduce the impacts of climate change by delivering groceries to each neighbourhood on a set route once a week;

We educate our customers about important food issues through our weekly newsletter;

We give back by supporting local charities and donating leftover food to food outreach groups.

Today, we're the largest organic food delivery company in North America (although still 'small potatoes' compared to most grocery store chains!) serving more than 19,000 customers and proving that good ethics, healthy foods, eco-friendly practices, and a commitment to local communities are essential ingredients to a modern recipe for success.

Each and everyday, our talented, dedicated team sets out to improve our service to you with fresh new products, more weekly specials and other innovative conveniences. Moreover, we all sincerely believe that we can change the world - one grocery order at a time.

I can't imagine any other work I'd rather do, today and tomorrow.

David Van Seters
President and CEO

Either way ... they're looking for a Senior Marketing Manager.

Here are the details:

Based in our head office in Vancouver, spud! is seeking a Senior Marketing Manager primarily responsible for overseeing marketing and branding initiatives for all spud! locations.

Duties and responsibilities include (but are not limited to) planning (setting marketing targets and budgets, evaluating marketing initiatives on campaigns and recommending improvements); management and training of staff; development and implementation of policy and procedures related to marketing initiatives; market research and evaluation; brand management and e-commerce strategies.

The successful candidate will have a Bachelors Degree in business administration or related field with a specialization in marketing. They will also have a minimum three years experience in a senior marketing capacity; experience in developing marketing/branding campaigns, experience with a fast growth e-commerce company and strong leadership skills with ability to develop staff into an effective, highly motivated, results-oriented team. Preference will be given to candidates who are knowledgeable about the natural foods industry and sustainable brands.

Knowledge of marketing, PR and branding principles, excellent interpersonal, motivational, negotiation, written and verbal communication skills are essential.

If you're interested, then your contact is Jo Elliott, Senior Human Resources Manager.
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Interested in learning more about social enterprise? Take a browse through the Vancouver Social Enterprise Book Store (Vancouver United Kingdom United States) and see what other social entrepreneurs recommend reading.

Tags for information about: for:vsef, Social Enterprise, Sustainability, SPUD

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