Table of Contents
- New faces at United Way
- The business case for hiring people with disabilities
- Becoming a Leadership Donor a chance to be a role model: Jamey Burr
- Do you know this year’s Community Builder of the Year?
- 9th annual Sharing our Strengths Community Conference
- Hire Immigrants Ottawa Information Sessions for Employers
New faces at United Way
United Way Ottawa is entering another phase in its journey to becoming an impact organization.
Helping to steer the ship are some new faces at United Way, including a Vice President of Community Services and people from the community who have joined the Community Services Cabinet and Investment Committee that will oversee Unite
d Way’s planning and investment work.
Diane Bilodeau, our new VP Community Services, is excited to be at United Way and to be given an opportunity to “work with our community to ensure that resources and energy are directed to where they are needed most and where they will have the most impact.”
Working closely with the CS Cabinet and Investment Committee, Diane will be responsible for providing leadership in the development of results-based community development plans and initiatives. She will also oversee the investment and stewardship of resources in initiatives and frontline programs that contribute to the achievement of results.
“I have personally always been engaged within my community, at various levels, actively participating on Boards and organizing committees, consulting with community organizations and heading up a community foundation, with the sole purpose of making where we live a better place,” says Diane.
“I welcome the opportunity to continue this passion with the team at United Way and our many community partners.”
Diane comes to United Way from Francofonds, a community foundation dedicated to promoting the development of Manitoba’s French-speaking community by supporting a wide range of community and culturally-based francophone projects and organizations. She also held senior positions in the Caisses populaires and Credit Union systems.
The business case for hiring people with disabilities
Adults with disabilities have skills and talents waiting to be tapped by employers, but in Ottawa only 43 per cent are employed.
“People with disabilities have much to offer employers,” says Richard Plummer, Director of Inclusion for United Way Ottawa. “One of our goals at United Way is to build understanding in the employment sector about the richness that people with disabilities can bring to the work setting. As a first step, we are holding an all-day business forum on March 31, 2010, at the Hampton Inn and encourage employers in the city to attend and hear first-hand about the economic value to hiring people with disabilities.”
At the event, which kicks off at 7:30 a.m. with registration and breakfast, business owners, employers and HR professionals will also be provided with best practices and other resources that they can use to create inclusive workplaces.
The first two morning sessions will address key principles and provide insight into the economic value for developing inclusive workplace strategies. The remainder of the sessions will highlight best practices and offer resources that can be employed for successfully hiring people with disabilities. Topics include: “The Emerging Economic Giant,” by Rich Donovan, a managing partner at Integrated Process Solutions; “Fostering Inclusive Workplaces” by Miguel Aguayo from the Ministry of Community and Social Services; “Partnerships and Networks for Successful Employment Initiates” by several board members from the Job Opportunity and Information Network; and “Accessibility and Accommodation Practices and Legislation.”
United Way is putting on the forum in conjunction with the City of Ottawa, Algonquin College, Canadian Hearing Society and other local partners and with sponsorship from Ontario's Ministry of Community and Social Services.
There will also be an information fair.
The event is free, but space is limited so it is important to register as soon as possible. Complete the registration form, where you can select your attendance options for the day.
Becoming a Leadership Donor a chance to be a role model: Jamey Burr
He’s seen the important work that United Way Ottawa’s affordable supportive housing initiative is doing to improve the quality of life for low- and modest-income seniors who have little to no support in the community. He’s impressed with how the Leadership Table on Homelessness is “using the power of the marketplace” to make inroads into placing chronically homeless people in permanent, stable housing and giving them the supports they need to stay there. In short, he likes the direction that United Way is going to address the root of community problems.
That’s why Jamey Burr decided to take it one step further and become a Leadership Donor last year.
A director at PPP Canada, a Crown corporation recently established to support the development of public–private partnerships, Jamey has been a long-time contributor to United Way. He also volunteered on planning committees. “I’ve been quite willing to support United Way with my time and my money,” says Jamey, who encouraged the team at PPP Canada to organize its first-ever workplace campaign last year for United Way. That campaign raised $6,200.
“I believe that my generation needs to show young people the importance of getting involved in one’s community and to see the type of work that United Way is doing to improve people’s quality of life,” he adds. During its campaign, PPP Canada took part in a Seeing is Believing tour — where the younger employees got to see first-hand how donor dollars are put to use in the community.
If you would like more information on becoming a Leadership Donor, you can contact Melissa Graham, Manager, Leadership Gifts, at 613-683-3786 or by e-mail at mgraham@unitedwayottawa.ca.
Do you know this year’s Community Builder of the Year?
For the past decade the Community Builder of the Year Awards Gala has been a place for United Way Ottawa to recognize those in our community who are dedicated to making Ottawa a better place for everyone. These individuals, organizations, partnerships, agencies and neighbourhood groups work unassumingly and collaboratively to improve the lives of others.
Now, United Way is asking once again: Who do you know that deserves recognition as the Community Builder of the Year for their work in our community?
Past Community Builder of the Year Award winners include:
- Stephen Greenberg for his support of children and youth programs, including after-school homework clubs, and for his work with many community organizations across the city;
- Aliai Lual for her commitment to helping youth, both here in Ottawa and internationally, reach their full potential; and
- Dave Smith for his countless fundraising and volunteer efforts.
Organizations and neighbourhood groups that have received awards include Innovapost for Best Community Campaign in 2009, the Ottawa Public Library in the category of People with Disabilities in 2007 and Minto Developments in the category of Capacity Building in 2005.
This year’s gala takes place on May 19 at the Westin Hotel. Submit your nomination online from now until March 18. We want to hear who you believe should be United Way’s 2010 Community Builder of the Year.
9th annual Sharing our Strengths Community Conference
The Sharing our Strengths Community Conference is an excellent and affordable opportunity to network with other agencies and businesses. It delivers valuable information on best practices, new processes and technical insights that I put to immediate use. — 2009 conference attendee
This year’s Sharing our Strengths Community Conference takes place on June 29 at Ashbury College, 362 Mariposa Avenue, Ottawa. This United Way-hosted conference helps community leaders, staff and volunteers from non-profit organizations become more effective at managing and delivering programs and services in the community.
Workshops are offered in five streams: leadership and governance, operational effectiveness, financial sustainability, strengthening community impact and personal development. Conference registration will open in April.
Hire Immigrants Ottawa Information Sessions for Employers
Small, Medium or Large: Prepare your workplace to address talent shortages
Hire Immigrants Ottawa (HIO) is hosting information sessions for Ottawa employers to enhance their workplace readiness to address talent shortages. Sessions focus on:
- The changing demographics of Ottawa’s labour force and how it affects you as an employer
- Ways to stay competitive: Tools and resources to help you tap into a rich source of local talent - skilled immigrants living in Ottawa
Upcoming sessions:
March 26, 1:00 – 4:00 pm – Intercultural problem-solving strategies and understanding verbal and non-verbal messages.
March 29, 1:00-4:00 pm – Introduction to cultural competency-building.
All sessions are free for employers; however space is limited, so sign up now.
Register online today or call 613-683-3370.
HIO is a United Way initiative funded by the Government of Ontario and Citizenship and Immigration Canada.