Reading Room
Recommended Readings
When Worlds
Collide: Canada's non-profit social services need to be protected in the new
round of trade agreements
A new study jointly released by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
(CCPA) and the Canadian Council on Social Development (CCSD) has concluded
that government support for non-profit social services could be at risk despite
Canadian government assurances that social policies will not be adversely
affected by international trade obligations. For more information, or to place
an order for this report, please click on the above link.
Funding Matters:
The Impact of Canada's New Funding Regime on Nonprofit and Voluntary Organizations
Nonprofit and voluntary sector organizations in Canada are groaning under
the strain of a new funding regime that seriously impedes their ability to
perform vital work on behalf of millions of Canadians, according to a new
study released by the Canadian Council on Social Development (CCSD). This
study is the first in-depth examination of how the voluntary and nonprofit
sector in Canada is coping after a decade of cost-cutting and restructuring
by governments. A year in the making, the study's author consulted close to
200 representatives of nonprofit and voluntary sector organizations, public
and private funders and funding experts from across the country.
The
Capacity to Serve: A Qualitative Study of the Challenges Facing Canada's Nonprofit
and Voluntary Organizations
The first phase of groundbreaking research from the National Survey of Nonprofit
and Voluntary Organizations (NSNVO) project has just been completed. The research
involved a nation-wide series of consultations to learn about the challenges
that nonprofit and voluntary organizations face in trying to fulfill their
missions and achieve their objectives, and the unique strengths and capacities
they possess. To learn more about these important findings and to download
free of charge the Executive Summary and the full report, click on the above
link.
Caring
Canadians, Involved Canadians: Highlights from the 1997 National Survey of
Giving, Volunteering and Participating (1997)
Drawing on data from over 18,000 interviews conducted in 1997, the National
Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating (NSGVP) provides an in-depth
look at the support that Canadians provide to one another and their communities.
The NSGVP is a joint project of Health Canada, Statistics Canada, Canadian
Heritage, Human Resources Development Canada, the Canadian Centre for Philanthropy,
Volunteer Canada and the Kahanoff Foundation's Nonprofit Sector Research Initiative.
Volunteering and Healthy Aging: What We Know (1999)
In this paper written for Volunteer
Canada, Neena Chappell of the University of Victoria reviews the literature
on the health benefits of both formal and informal volunteering. A summary
of this piece can be viewed by clicking
here.
Volunteerism in the Canadian Health Sector
This multi-partner project involved a literature review, a mail survey of
volunteer managers in healthcare institutions, and focus groups. The final
report addresses such issues as the challenges and demands faced by managers
of volunteer resources in health settings, and key trends and issues affecting
volunteers and their managers in health care settings, particularly in light
of factors such as restructuring, downsizing and the increase in community-based
care. A full copy of the paper can be ordered from Volunteer
Canada.
Building on
Strength: Improving Governance and Accountability in Canada's Voluntary Sector
(1997)
The Panel on Accountability and Governance in the Voluntary Sector was established
in 1997 by the Voluntary Sector Roundtable. It reviews accountability practices
within the sector and develops proposed guidelines and practices to promote
accountability. In this report, the Panel recommends a variety of obligatory
and self-regulation initiatives for the voluntary sector, including the creation
of codes of good governance and implementation of ethical fundraising practices.
Working
Together : A Government of Canada / Voluntary Sector Joint Initiative : Report
of the Joint Tables (1999)
In 1999, the federal government and the voluntary sector launched a joint
initiative to forge a more effective, strategic relationship to better serve
Canadians. Joint Tables, composed of government officials and sector leaders,
conducted exploratory talks in three key areas: building a new relationship,
strengthening capacity, and improving the regulatory framework. This report
represents the culmination of the Joint Tables process, and informs readers
about the discussions and the options recommended to the Government of Canada
and the voluntary sector.
Benchmarks
of Excellence for the Voluntary Sector (1999)
This document was produced as a result of the 1999 initiative by the A.L.S.
Society of Canada and the Coalition of National Voluntary Organizations, and
is available through the Canadian Centre for Philanthropy. It provides tools
for self-assessment and strategic planning that can help organizations measure
themselves against seven characteristics that distinguish excellent voluntary
organizations. This resource was developed by the voluntary sector for the
voluntary sector, and describes excellence as it relates to the whole organization.
Canadian Policy
Research Network
This non-governmental organization is a think tank started in 1994 to
create knowledge and lead public debate in order to help make Canada a more
just, prosperous and caring society. It coordinates research networks in the
areas of health, family and work. The site contains numerous research papers
relevant to the voluntary sector, such as human resources capacity, conceptualizing
the nonprofit sector and its role, commercial ventures by charities, and other
pieces adding to an understanding of the sector.
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