Summary of decisions

October 27th, 2001

Les Suites Hotel, Ottawa, Ontario

1. Summary of decisions of the Joint Awareness Table Meeting held on June 15th - 16th, 2001

Item Summary

Summary of decisions to be adopted by Joint Awareness Table members.

Decision

Minutes were adopted.

Action

Kyle Cyr will send the summary of decisions to the Voluntary Sector Secretariat to be posted on the Voluntary Sector Initiative web site.

2. Consultations

Item Summary

Havi Echenberg of the Voluntary Sector Secretariat met with the Joint Awareness Table to update members on the recent developments surrounding consultations within the Voluntary Sector Initiative.

In order to avoid consultation fatigue within the voluntary sector, the Voluntary Sector Secretariat is coordinating consultation sessions to be held in February 2002. All Voluntary Sector Initiative Joint Tables and Working Groups are invited to participate in these sessions which will be hosted by local organizations.

Decision

Members of the Joint Awareness Table support this initiative. A working group composed of Jamey Burr, Martyn Goodger, Murry Krause and Sue Tomney was established to examine possible consultation requirements of the Joint Awareness Table in the upcoming months.

Action

The above working group is to make recommendations regarding consultation to the Joint Awareness Table at the next meeting to be held on November 30th, 2001.

3. Request from the Aboriginal Reference Group

Item Summary

On October 22nd, 2001 the co-chairs of the Joint Awareness Table received a letter from the Aboriginal Reference Group signed by Susan Carter. (letter attached)

The Aboriginal Reference Group was formed this summer to ensure that the voices and perspectives of the aboriginal voluntary sector are reflected in the Voluntary Sector Initiative.

The Aboriginal Reference Group has developed a proposed plan of work, which would need to be undertaken for aboriginal communities to connect with the voluntary sector as a whole and with the Voluntary Sector Initiative.

The Aboriginal Reference Group submitted a description of the proposed work and budget to the Joint Awareness Table Members. The Aboriginal Reference Group is requesting 55,000.00 $ to do:

1. Research literature to determine whether Aboriginal voluntary sector information or analysis exists. (5,000.00 $)
2. Primary research on Aboriginal voluntary sector. (10,000.00 $)
3. Production of a video on voluntary activity and organizations in Aboriginal communities for use within those communities. (35,000.00 $)
4. Develop and implement a dissemination plan for the video among Aboriginal communities. (5,000.00 $)

Decision

Following debate, members decided to vote on the following motion:

That the Joint Awareness Table fund the proposal from the Aboriginal Reference Group as outlined in the letter dated October 22, 2001 and addressed to the co-chairs of the Joint Awareness Table .

Proposed by Martyn Goodger, seconded by Murry Krause.

CARRIED

Murry Krause agreed to act as the liaison between the Aboriginal Reference Group and the Joint Awareness Table with respect to this project.

Action

Kyle Cyr is to negotiate with the Voluntary Sector Secretariat the management/oversight of this project and then to transfer the necessary funds to the Voluntary Sector Secretariat.

4. Request from the Working Group on Financing

Item Summary

Debbie Pyke, staff supporting the work of the Working Group on Financing at the Voluntary Sector Secretariat, met with members of the Joint Awareness Table and highlighted the importance of a collaborative and coordinated approach between both groups.

The Working Group on Financing is a sector-only group within the Voluntary Sector Initiative whose mandate is to examine the broad question of how the voluntary sector is financed, identify issues of concern and develop strategies to enhance capacity, efficiencies and long-term sustainability.

While the Working Group on Financing is looking at new mechanisms for funding of the sector, the group recognized that the contribution and value of the voluntary sector to building stronger communities and improving quality of life for Canadians were key components to building the case for financial support, and wish to engage the Joint Awareness Table in these discussions.

Decision

It was decided that the Joint Awareness Table and the Working Group on Financing would continue working closely together in order to ensure the delivery of the Voluntary Sector Initiative mandate.

Action

No immediate action required. The Joint Awareness Table is to await further indication for collaboration from the Working Group on Financing.

5. Request from the Human Resources Committee of the Capacity Joint Table

Item Summary

Brenda Cameron Couch who represents the Human Resources Committee of the Capacity Joint Table at the Voluntary Sector Secretariat met with members of the Joint Awareness Table and presented a request on behalf of the Human Resources Committee.

The Human Resources Committee has set a long-term goal of strengthening the capacity of the voluntary sector to attract, optimize and hold top talent. Plans are underway to support work in three areas: learning and skills, organization support and tools and services.

A fourth area is Recruitment. The Human Resources Committee wishes to pass on two recommendations to the Joint Awareness Table in this area.

1. The branding of the sector as a place of employment both for youth and those wishing a career change.
2. Re-visiting the term "Voluntary Sector". The term may be a barrier as it is seen to imply that one should expect little or no compensation for work.

There are also two specifics that the Human Resources Committee would like the Joint Awareness Table to undertake in the short-term.

1. Value Proposition for the Sector

   While each organization should develop its own value proposition statement to be used in recruitment, it would be useful to have a generic statement, which could be used as a starting point for organizations.

2. Globe and Mail Report on Business

   Negotiate with the Globe and Mail to highlight more information from the Voluntary Sector.

   The Human Resource Committee believes that these two items can be completed in the short term and will produce concrete results and benefit the work of both Tables.

Decision

It was decided that the Joint Awareness Table would examine this request at its next meeting.

Action

No immediate action required.

6. Public Environment in Québec

Item Summary

Louise Gagné presented a request from Le Groupe Multi Réso et Maletto & associés inc. This group is made up of Messrs. Soucy D. Gagné, Michel Maletto and Jean-Guy Giroux. All three have been personally involved in voluntary organizations.

They wish to meet the Joint Awareness Table and discuss with members the parameters of their approach and their work methodology as it applies to the Voluntary Sector Initiative mandate.

Their presentation would include a report on the elements that must be considered in order to better understand the voluntary sector environment in Quebec. They have already identified around 10, including the major socio-cultural trends that could affect volunteerism. Time permitting, they would also present the various points of view and considerations they have already gathered from key individuals.

Decision

Table members concluded that this presentation would benefit the work of the Voluntary Sector Initiative as a whole. It was decided to forward this issue to the Voluntary Sector Task Force and the Voluntary Sector Secretariat.

Action

Raymond Rivet of the Voluntary Sector Task Force, Delaney Turner of the Voluntary Sector Secretariat and Louise Gagné are to meet with Mr. Soucy D. Gagné to discuss possible options.

7. Joint Awareness Table Budget

Item Summary

Jérôme presented Joint Awareness Table members with a document outlining the Table's expenditures to date and resources over the coming years.

Decision

None required, since we are well within budget.

Action

None required.

8. Report from the Joint Coordinating Committee and the Senior Sector Steering Group

Item Summary

The messages from the Joint Coordinating Committee and the Senior Sector Steering Group focussed on the urgency for the Voluntary Sector Initiative and all its tables to meet their deliverables without delay.

The question surrounding future governance of the Voluntary Sector Initiative and its structure was raised.

Decision

Members noted that the Joint Awareness Table is on target with their deliverables as indicated in their workplan.

Members believe there is an urgency to discuss the future governance of the Joint Awareness Table and the Voluntary Sector Initiative. This item will be discussed and examined at our next meeting.

Action

None required.

9. Consolidation Report and Consultation Questionnaire Results

Item Summary

Members reviewed the above documents drafted by Ann Dostaler.

Decision

To share these two documents with members of the Voluntary Sector Initiative Secretariat.

Action

Both documents are to be translated and sent to the Voluntary Sector Secretariat to be posted on the Voluntary Sector Initiative website.

Ann is to be thanked for a great contribution to our thinking.

10. Think Tank Session held on Friday, October 26th, 2001

Item Summary

Eager to move ideas into action and develop models that will build awareness of the impact of the voluntary sector with our target audiences, the Joint Awareness Table held a think tank session on Friday, October 26th and on Saturday, October 27th 2001.

Five experts in the fields of social marketing and communications were invited to help the Joint Awareness Table review and validate communications objectives and strategies, key messages and primary and secondary audiences.

Decision

Discussion and debate took place and concrete outcomes and deliverables as outlined in the Joint Awareness Table were agreed upon and validated. New models need to be developed.

Action

As a result of the discussions, the Joint Awareness Table are to examine and/or develop a total of five projects.