Five Good Ideas Podcast

Jake Hirsch-Allen, head of Partnerships at The Dais, a public policy and leadership think tank at Toronto Metropolitan University, joined Elizabeth McIsaac, president of Maytree, for the latest Five Good Ideas session to share his five ideas on how to adopt generative AI responsibly and effectively. Drawing from the Responsible AI Adoption for Social Impact (RAISE) program – a national initiative through which Jake has trained over 500 non-profit professionals across Canada – Jake explored when and how to use AI, the risks you need to understand, and why your organization’s data matters more than you think. Jake’s five good ideas: 1. Experiment using AI 2. Beware of the risks 3. Identify AI use cases 4. Create an AI use policy 5. Value your data For the resources and a video of the session, visit: https://maytree.com/five-good-ideas/five-good-ideas-on-how-to-think-responsibly-about-generative-ai/

Dr. Megan Conway, President and CEO of Volunteer Canada, joined Elizabeth McIsaac, President of Maytree, for the latest Five Good Ideas session to share her five ideas on how to re-engage your volunteer community and attract new supporters. Megan talked about how to meet the changing needs and motivations of today’s volunteers, remove barriers that keep people from participating, and reconnect with those who have volunteered with you in the past. Megan’s five good ideas: 1. Design volunteering for belonging, not just help 2. Treat access to volunteering as a design and equity issue 3. Reframe volunteering as contribution, skill building, and participation 4. Invest in volunteer infrastructure as a public good 5. Make volunteering visible in civic leadership and policy For the resources and a video of the session, visit https://maytree.com/five-good-ideas/five-good-ideas-to-attract-and-keep-volunteers/.

In the face of changing government policies, deepening inequality, and community crises, charities must act forcefully to respond to their clients’ needs. They need to be fearless and use all of their tools to advocate and manage risk. The Neighbourhood Group Community Services and Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre experienced a trial by fire in 2025 that tested their resolve – they faced both the threat of closure and the actual closure of their supervised consumption services, resulting in a legal charter challenge to protect health care in their community. Two leaders came through more determined to act boldly to improve conditions for the people in their community. In conversation with Elizabeth McIsaac, Angela Robertson and Bill Sinclair presented their five ideas on how to be fearless, change how organizations work, and listen to our most vulnerable communities. - Angela Robertson is Executive Director or Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre - Bill Sinclair is President and Chief Executive Officer of The Neighbourhood Group Community Services - Elizabeth McIsaac is President of Maytree Five Good Ideas 1. Build a fearless board 2. Defend your rights and values 3. Understand the importance of data and evidence 4. Embrace unusual allies and media 5. Take a new approach to risk management For the resources and a video of the session, visit https://maytree.com/five-good-ideas/five-good-ideas-for-building-fearless-organizations/.

In this Five Good Ideas session, Annie Kidder, co-founder and recently retired executive director of People for Education, shares her personal experience of what it's like to hand off your organization to the next generation. What really happens during succession – what works, what hurts, what do you need to let go of, and how does a founder-led organization steer into a future where it can continue to thrive? Her five good ideas:  1. Get a therapist 2. Identify foundational organizational values and beliefs and then build a new path forward 3. Determine where the founder adds value and where they have to get out of the way 4. Let go 5. Celebrate For Annie's full bio and resources, visit the session page.  

In this Five Good Ideas session, Aleem Punja, Executive Director, Future Ready Initiative, Aga Khan Council for Canada, shared lessons from leading and advising boards across sectors. How can leading with head, heart, and homework transform governance from functional to exceptional?  His five good ideas:  1. Start with purpose, not paper 2. Govern, do not manage 3. Centre equity and pluralism in every decision 4. Build a strong, trust-based relationship with the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer 5. Commit to learning, preparation, and self-reflection For Aleem's full bio and resources, vist the session page. 

In this Five Good Ideas session, Sherri Torjman shares lessons from her 25 years at the Caledon Institute of Social Policy. In a field as complex and challenging as social policy, how do we stay the course and make an impact? Her five good ideas: 1. Find your North Star 2. Do your homework 3. Dream big - and small 4. Create the pathways 5. Tell your story For Sherri's full bio and resources, visit the session page.

In this session, Zabeen Hirji, former Chief HR Officer at RBC and now in her Purposeful Third Act, explored how AI is reshaping the nature of work. As AI changes the relationship between employers and workers, why should people choose to work for your organization? How can organizations help their people thrive in this new era? Her five good ideas: 1. Help every employee understand their purpose 2. Start small, learn together, and stay curious 3. Build AI fluency, not technical mastery 4. Focus on change management 5. Invest in human skills For Zabeen's full bio and resources, vist the session page.

In this session, non-profit consultant Claire Forster discussed how to make meaningful and sustainable change in your organization. How do you integrate a new function or program into your current structure? How do you communicate with your teams to ensure that the change is not disruptive or disengaging? What implications are there for the existing teams and culture and how do you manage that? What issues do you need to anticipate and account for? Her five good ideas: Start with the end in mind Communicate what it isn’t Understand that employees and stakeholders have the answers Be opportunistic and leverage change to reinforce culture It’s not over when you think it is For Claire's full bio and resources, visit the session page.

Liv Mendelsohn and Christa Haanstra joined Five Good Ideas to discuss how to build a culture that recognizes and values caregiving. Their conversation with Elizabeth McIsaac highlighted that creating a caregiver-friendly workplace is compassionate and strategic. Organizations that recognize this gain a competitive edge through improved retention, productivity, and workplace culture. Liv and Christa's Five Good Ideas: Understand your workforce Provide equitable support Prioritize flexible work arrangements Recognize the value of caregiving skills inthe workplace Build a caregiver-supportive culture For Liv and Christa's full bios and resources, visit the session page.

Mohammed Hashim, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, joined Five Good Ideas to share practical strategies to bridge divides and foster positive change in challenging times. His conversation with Elizabeth McIsaac highlights the power of genuine dialogue, community resilience, and grassroots action in creating a more connected future. Mohammed's Five Good Ideas: Embrace difficult conversations Get offline and re-ignite in-person connection Online life is a reality: Trust humans, fact-check content Replenish your dopamine (and your feed) with people who build for better If you don’t like it, join the work to fix it For Mohammed's full bio and resources, visit the session page.

Sharif Mahdy and Kwaku Agyemang, from the Students Commission of Canada, joined Five Good Ideas to share how organizations can engage youth to participate in systems change. “The deficit that we’re trying to address is this,” explained Sharif. “First, young people don’t get engaged and involved on these issues. Second, the process for engaging in our democracy is eroding. And the process for being able to engage in healthy discourse is being challenged for all sorts of reasons. What we’re offering here through these five good ideas is an approach that we’ve tried over time that could be scaled and could help address some of the deficits we’re currently experiencing.” Sharif and Kwaku’s five good ideas:  Youth engagement is both a process and an outcome Respect, listen, understand, and communicate Mutuality is a key to navigating increasing complexity of intergenerational partnerships  Work with youth to bridge the democratic deficit Youth are catalysts for systems change For Sharif and Kwaku's full bios and resources, visit the session page.

Sarada Peri, founder of Peri Communications and former Senior Speechwriter to President Barack Obama, joined Five Good Ideas to share how to create messages that are sharp, compelling, and persuasive.   “What are some questions that I can ask myself to get to the one thing, the one thing I want to say?  ‘What is my purpose?’” asked Sarada. “In everything you do, you should start with ‘What is my purpose?’”  Sarada’s five good ideas:   1. Say one thing   2. Know your audience  3. Speak from their values, not yours  4. Tell a story  5. Write and speak like a human   Subscribe to the Five Good Ideas newsletter.

Ingrid Palmer the Principal IDEAL Advocate at Realize, joined Five Good Ideas to discuss the benefits of applying IDEAL (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, Leading to belonging) principles in the workplace. "Belonging is a necessary component of our humanity and no one should be denied that fact," said Ingrid.  Ingrid's five good ideas: 1. Level up from IDEA to IDEAL.  2. Expand your understanding of disability to include episodic disability. 3. Be aware of the nuances of intersectional barriers to employment.  4. Accommodations benefit both the employer and the employee.  5. There is no end to IDEAL work.  You can download the session handout, view Ingrid's bio, and read the transcript here.  Subscribe to our newsletter. 

Bob Goulais, founder of Nbissing Consulting Inc., joined Five Good Ideas to discuss some wise practices to be more inclusive of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit. “Most of all,” said Bob, “consider integrating Indigenous values and ways of being.” Bob’s five good ideas: Be values-based in everything you do Involve First Nations, Métis, and Inuit in co-development, collaboration, and partnerships Consider developing a Reconciliation Action Plan Take cultural competency or cultural safety training Consider personal, sustained action as an ally to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit You can download the session handout, view Bob's bio, and read the transcript here.  

Farzana Doctor is an activist, community organizer, social worker, and author. In this session, Elizabeth McIsaac talks to Farzana about about how you can practice self-care and community-care around your work. You can find Farzana's good ideas, resources, and full bio here. 

Diana Chan McNally is a frontline worker and advocate for homeless people.  In this session, Elizabeth McIsaac talks to Diana about what she's learned in combining both roles.  You can find Diana's good ideas, resources, and full bio here. 

Ombudsman Toronto is an independent and internal office that holds the City accountable to its residents. It makes recommendations to the City to improve its service and ensure they're fair.  In this session, Elizabeth McIsaac talks to Toronto Ombudsman Kwame Addo about how individuals and residents can get the most out of working with his office for positive change.  You can read the transcript and Kwame's full bio here: Five Good Ideas on working with Ombudsman Toronto for positive change - Maytree

In this session, Sree Nallamothu and Fran Odette joined Elizabeth McIsaac to discuss how to create an accessible workplace. They explain how to be proactive, to move beyond niceties, the power of language, embracing intersectionality, and putting accessibility in the budget.  You can find the transcript, and Sree and Fran's full bios here: Five Good Ideas for disrupting ableism in the workplace - Maytree

In this session, Joan Garry, founder of the Nonprofit Leadership Lab, emphasizes the need for proactive and ongoing succession planning, reframing it as part of organizational readiness, and the critical role of the board in driving this process forward. She highlights the risks of inadequate succession planning, such as difficulties in recruiting a competent replacement, staff dissatisfaction, and donor anxiety. For Joan's full bio, resources, and the session transcript, visit the Five Good Ideas website.

This session provides a guide to participating in nonprofit boards, drawing on the expert knowledge of Rick Powers, a governance and board leadership specialist at Rotman School of Management. Topics include the importance of understanding fiduciary duty and duty of care, addressing the "information chasm" between board members and management, the significance of financial literacy, CEO succession planning, board memberships and recruiting, and dealing with conflicts of interest. Rick places emphasis on the necessity for passion about the cause, as well as clarity of role expectations for effective board membership. For Rick's full bio, resources, and the session transcript, visit the Five Good Ideas website.

Your non-profit organization does good work and has an important story to tell. Media coverage can be a great way to establish credibility, build cachet, and reach a larger audience. But journalists are not necessarily short on stories or sources. So what are the Five Good Ideas for getting a journalist to call you back? Denise Balkissoon, Ontario bureau chief of The Narwhal, joins Maytree president Elizabeth McIsaac to explain how she identifies stories and sources. For Denise's ideas, resources, and full bio, visit the Five Good Ideas session page.

It can be hard sustaining a collaboration because tackling community issues together creates challenges to partnership and momentum. But you can set up a collaboration for success. Focus on four areas—people, resources, process, and impact—and the factors that determine their quality, like leadership, funding, community engagement, and the ability to influence policy and systems that lead to collective change. When things do get hard (and they will), the collaboration’s resilience will be proven by its overall health and well-being, as well as its ability to adapt, shift, and change.    In this session, recorded live on May 8, 2023, Liz Weaver and Mike Des Jardins of the Tamarack Institute share stories and provide helpful ideas about how to make a collaboration more sustainable, resilient, and impactful. They discuss how collaborations can develop a sustainable approach during the early phases of their work. They also pose the question: What really needs to be sustained and how might this work?    [5:50] 1. Define what is a sustainable collaboration  [11:32 2. Focus on people, process, resources, and impact [16:42] 3. Centre equity in the design of sustainability [20:03] 4. Adapt to changing communities / collaboration [24:05] 5. Include funders in the process [27:05] Q & A    Download the session handout. Follow along with the transcript.    Presenter bios:     Liz Weaver is co-CEO at the Tamarack Institute.  Liz leads the Tamarack Learning Centre providing strategic direction for the design and development of learning activities. The focus of the Tamarack Learning Centre is to work with community leaders to co-generate knowledge and become a collective force for social change. Liz is one of Tamarack’s popular trainers and has developed and delivered curriculum on a variety of workshop topics including collaborative governance, leadership, collective impact, community innovation, influencing policy change and social media for impact and engagement.    Previous to this, Liz led the Vibrant Communities Canada team and provided coaching, leadership, and support to community partners across Canada. In her career, she was the Director for the Hamilton Roundtable on Poverty Reduction (a collective impact initiative), which was recognized with the Canadian Urban Institute’s Leadership Award in 2009. She has also held leadership positions with YWCA Hamilton, Volunteer Hamilton and Volunteer Canada. Liz has a Masters of Management through McGill University. Liz was awarded a Queen’s Jubilee Medal in 2002 for her leadership in the voluntary sector and has received awards and recognition from the City of Hamilton, Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, Parks and Recreation Ontario, and Volunteer Canada.    Mike Des Jardins is the Manager of Sustainability & Development for Communities Building Youth Futures (CBYF), Tamarack Institute.  In this role, Mike is responsible for sustainability planning, researching, and sharing best practices related to the sustainability and resilience of youth collective impact work, coaching CBYF communities on developing and implementing sustainability strategies, and telling the story of impact. Mike is a ce...

Silence around questions of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in the workplace has started to sound more like complicity. Now people can’t talk enough about EDI. But how do you put all you’ve read and learned into action? In this session, recorded live on March 31, 2023, Dr. Tanya (Toni) De Mello, Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion, Toronto Metropolitan University, shared the ways in which feeling like you belong, knowing you’ll be included, and seeing your work community as “your” community matters. She provided some advice on how you can achieve this sense of community and belonging at your organization and shed some light on what you may be doing to hinder it. 1. Reflect on who’s in your group [6:05] 2. Belonging is more than salary and job location [12:33] 3. Representation is a major part of systemic change [19:22]  4. You need to do the performative and substantive work [22:51] 5. If this work is done meaningfully, then it’s messy [28:14] Q & A [35:21 ] Download the session handout. Follow along with the transcript. Presenter bio: Toni is Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion, Toronto Metropolitan University. With a background comprising finance, management consulting, and law, Tanya (who we call “Toni”) De Mello has spent much of her career focusing on, and researching, equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). She is a human rights lawyer and a certified coach and mediator. She has taught at University of Toronto and University, Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) and several Colleges. She worked at TMU as the Director of Human Rights and then Lincoln Alexander School of Law, which is Canada’s newest law school the in 2019. She is currently the Vice President, Equity and Community Inclusion. She has worked with over 100 organizations in training, consulting, and supporting them in the EDI journey. In addition to founding two NGOs, Toni has served in the United Nations High Commission for Refugees and the World Food Programme in Geneva (Switzerland), Senegal (West Africa), and Columbia (South America). Toni holds a dual Bachelor of Economics and Political Science from the University of Waterloo; a double Master in Public Policy and Urban and Regional Planning from Princeton University; and a dual law degree from McGill University and a Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy from the University of Toronto. She also completed her doctors at the University of Toronto, where she was looking at bias in hiring in Canada.

“We couldn’t do it without you!” “Without strong partners, this couldn’t be done.” We use these phrases because they are at the heart of how we work for social change. Social change does not happen in a vacuum.  In this session, recorded live on February 23, Agapi Gessesse, Executive Director, CEE Centre for Black Young Professionals, shared her five good ideas on how community organizations, governments, and corporations can create ecosystems where everyone benefits from each other’s work, and advances the social change that we all want to see. [3:58] 1. Build relationships (strategically) [10:39] 2. Make sure everyone is benefitting mutually through the relationships[15:01] 3. Directions must have an ESG plan (ESG stands for “environmental, social, and (corporate) governance”) [20:05] 4. Non-profit organizations should have a government relations plan [31:35] 5. Determine from the onset what success could look like and how long it will take[36:07 ] Q & A  Download the session handout. Follow along with the transcript.  Presenter bio: Agapi is Executive Director of CEE Centre for Young Black Professionals, an organization dedicated to addressing economic issues affecting Black youth. She is passionate about CEE’s mission-driven and evidence-based work.  Agapi also served as Executive Director of POV 3rd Street, an organization that helps marginalized youth break into the media industry through training, mentorship, job placement, and professional development opportunities. Through prior work as a fundraising professional, social enterprise manager, and coordinator of youth leadership programs, Agapi has established a record of accomplishment in operations management, program implementation and evaluation, financial stewardship, partner development, and community engagement. Her experience includes positions with United Way of Greater Toronto and the Toronto Community Housing Corporation.

How can you advance your non-profit’s values through the use of technology?   In this session, recorded live on January 23, Amy Sample Ward, CEO of NTEN and author of The Tech That Comes Next¸ and Katie Gibson, Executive Director of the Canadian Centre for Nonprofit Digital Resilience, presented their answers to this question.   [5:38] 1. Never put technology ahead of people. [10:23] 2. Create diverse tech committees to support decisions, testing, and feedback. [15:01] 3. Only collect data you can protect. And give it back to its owner. [19:52] 4. Make your values the foundation for technology adoption and investment. [27:41] 5. Make your voice heard in the technology policy-making process. [34:13 ] Q & A   Download the session handout. Follow along with the transcript.   Presenter bios:   Amy Sample Ward believes that technology should be accessible and accountable to everyone, especially communities historically and systemically excluded from the digital world. They are the CEO of NTEN, a non-profit creating a world where missions and movements are more successful through the skillful and equitable use of technology. Amy’s second book, Social Change Anytime Everywhere, was a Terry McAdam Book Award finalist. Their most recent book is The Tech That Comes Next, with Afua Bruce.   Katie Gibson is a lawyer by training and an activist at heart. She is passionate about using entrepreneurial tools for social impact. Katie led strategy and partnerships at the CIO (Chief Information Officer) Strategy Council, a nonprofit focused on Canada’s digital transformation. In this role, she cofounded the Canadian Centre for Nonprofit Digital Resilience, where she is now Executive Director. She also leads work on sustainable IT and responsible AI (Artificial Intelligence). You may also have crossed paths with Katie in her previous roles as general counsel in a national youth charity, as director of Social Enterprise for the Ontario government, or in her work at the MaRS Centre for Impact Investing.

When searching for a new office space, it’s all about the lease. In this session, recorded live on November 25, George Georghiades, Principal and CEO of Lexington Park Real Estate Incorporated, presents his advice on who to hire for help, what to look out for, and how to minimize risk in what is often an organization’s second largest expense. These are his five suggested steps for a non-profit’s leasing process. [6:03] 1. Define your space needs [11:56] 2. Align your internal team [15:51] 3. Hire the right external specialists [21:04] 4. Be mindful as you negotiate your lease and prepare for occupancy [26:56] 5. Use your rent-free period wisely [32:58 ] Q & A Download George’s leasing process checklist, the handout, and session slides. Follow along with the transcript. Presenter bio: George leads and oversees Lexington Park’s team of investment, asset management, and development professionals. Prior to co-founding Lexington Park, George held progressively senior roles at McKinsey & Company, serving both its Private Equity and Institutional Investor Practice and providing guidance on a wide range of issues related to alternative asset class investing, specifically real estate and private equity. A Loran Scholar from the Class of 1995, George was the first alumnus to serve on the board of the Loran Scholars Foundation. He has also served as Board Treasurer for the Design Exchange, Canada’s Design Museum. He holds a BA in Business Administration from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario, an MSc. in Real Estate Economics and Finance at the London School of Economics, and an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School at Harvard University.

If the well-being of a non-profit organization depends on its financial health, then the quality of the relationship between senior, or finance, staff and the board of directors is key. In this session, recorded live on October 24, Michael Herrera, Chief Financial Officer at George Brown College, shares lessons from his wealth of experience as a staff member and a director. These are his five good ideas on bringing your financial story to the board. [3:12] 1. Set up your new board members for success [4:52] 2. Write brief and useful meeting packets [6:18] 3. Design a clear, concise, and purposeful meeting agenda [9:13] 4. Present accessible, meaningful, and relevant financial information [12:05] 5. Develop a strong relationship with your Treasurer and Board Chair [17:01 ] Q & A Download the session handout. Follow along with the transcript. Michael’s recommended resources: Six steps to being an awesome treasurer | CharityVillage 27 Tips for Improving Your Nonprofit Board’s Operations (bloomerang.co) Presenting financials to boards | Airbase Seven tips on how to present your finance case to the board | Acuity (acuitymag.com) Onboarding New Nonprofit Board Members: 4 Key Steps to Ensure a Successful Transition (nonprofitready.org) Presenter bio: Michael Herrera joined George Brown College in 2019 as Chief Financial Officer. In this role, he provides comprehensive financial leadership and technical expertise relating to the operations of the college. Michael has spent a career in service to the non-profit sector, having worked with social services, religious and arts organizations. Prior to joining George Brown College, he spent nearly a decade with United Way Greater Toronto. He also held similar leadership positions at the Anglican Church of Canada, YMCA of Greater Toronto and the National Ballet of Canada. Michael currently serves on the board of directors for Crow’s Theatre, Theatre Museum Canada, Toronto Arts Council, Toronto Arts Foundation, and Making The Shift – a Youth Homelessness Social Innovation Lab with a mandate to transforming how we respond to youth homelessness through research and knowledge mobilization.

The charitable sector has navigated many new challenges in the past few years. How do we now quantify our impact, respond to the future of work, and relate and respond to social movements?  In this Five Good Ideas session, recorded live on September 28, Sabreena Delhon, executive director of the Samara Centre for Democracy, discussed how to break out of default binary non-profit work processes to find exploratory, creative, and substantive approaches to making meaningful change. [5:18] 1. Measure the obvious [8:17] 2. Challenge the production formula “PDF, Tweet, repeat” [13:17] 3. Maximize your resources through partnerships [15:20] 4. Fill knowledge and lived-experience gaps [18:06] 5. Make it easy to be your audience [21:41] Q & A Download the session handout. Follow along with the transcript and check out Sabreena’s recommended resources. Presenter bio: Sabreena Delhon is the Executive Director of the Samara Centre for Democracy, a non-partisan civil society organization that is committed to securing an accessible, responsive, and inclusive democratic culture in Canada. Prior to joining Samara, Sabreena was the Principal of Signal Strategies and managed access to justice initiatives at the Law Society of Ontario. She has directed research studies that examine public perceptions of legal technology and the justice system; results have informed the work of Ontario’s Ministry of the Attorney General and can be found on law school syllabi. She is a Fellow with Simon Fraser University’s Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue and Massey College.

In this session, originally recorded on June 1, 2022, we asked Katharine Coons, National Senior Manager, Workplace Mental Health at Canadian Mental Health Association, to share her five good ideas on how create a psychologically healthy and safe workplace. Read the full transcript. Download the session handout. Five Good Ideas Reduce stigma Normalize the conversation Use appropriate language Hold space to check in Prioritize flexibility Involve your employees in decision-making Remain agile and flexible Get comfortable with the accommodation process Lean on the National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace Tools not rules Explore how it can work for your organization Bring in an expert Review policies and procedures Psychological health and safety policy Periodically review Share, update, and reshare Provide training, programs, and benefits Leadership training Evaluate EAP programs and benefits Consider additional programs (e.g., Not Myself Today) Resources Reducing stigma and building empathy Flexibility and accommodation: Ontario Human Rights Commission policy and procedure National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace Example of a psychical and psychological health, safety, and wellness policy statement by the mental health commission of Canada CMHA’s workplace mental health training and programs   About the presenter Katharine Coons, M.Sc National Senior Manager, Workplace Mental Health at Canadian Mental Health Association Katharine is the National Senior Manager, Workplace Mental Health at Canadian Mental Health Association. She has over ten years experience working in mental health and holds a M.Sc. in Occupational Psychology focusing her thesis on Workplace Well-being. She has worked in a variety of industries across Canada and the U.K. and brings a diverse understanding of employee and organizational needs. Katharine is an expert columnist at Benefits Canada, has written for The Toronto Star and has been interviewed by the CBC, CPA Canada and Retail Insider. Katharine was also an expert judge of the 2021 Workplace Benefits Awards. She currently serves as the in-house expert and trainer for Not Myself Today and the workplace mental health program at CMHA National.

In this session, originally recorded on April 26, 2022, we asked Teresa Marques, president and CEO of the Rideau Hall Foundation, to share her five good ideas on how to navigate effective development within the non-profit and charitable sector. Read the full transcript. Download the session handout. Five Good Ideas Form should follow function. Figure out your internal and shared goals, the table stakes for each party, and your respective strengths and weaknesses, then design the partnership model that best suits your situation. Don’t make assumptions about your partner. Be open to unconventional arrangements and “unusual bedfellow” partners. Seek out complementarity as opposed to similarity. People matter. Yes, the partnership is between organizations, but people and relationships are the critical glue and enabler of success. Details matter. Figure out the parameters for decision making, accountabilities, and timelines (including sunset) and write them all down. Plan for anticipated and unanticipated costs and think ahead about financial management. Trust matters most. You will be able to move much more quickly, and go farther together, if there’s trust and open communication between partners. Invest early in a culture of trust. Resources (Book) Trust: Twenty Ways to Build a Better Country – by David Johnston (2018). (Paper – Conference Board of Canada) “The Status of Collaboration and the Role of Innovation: Supporting Networks in Canadian Industry” – by Sorin Cohn and Bruce Good (Book) Collaborating with the Enemy: How to Work with People You Don’t Agree with or Like or Trust – by Adam Kahane (2017). (Online series – Stanford Social Innovation Review) “Advancing the Art of Collaboration.” (Podcast – HBR IdeaCast) “The Subtle Art of Saying No.” About the presenter Teresa Marques, President and CEO, Rideau Hall Foundation Teresa Marques is an established senior executive and educator in the non-profit sector. She leads the Rideau Hall Foundation (RHF), an independent national charity with a vision for a better Canada. The RHF works to address key challenges facing the country in the areas of learning equity, creating a culture of innovation, leadership development, and by strengthening Canada’s culture of giving and volunteerism. Teresa has significant experience in people and talent management, stakeholder engagement, major-gift fundraising, and financial stewardship. Prior to joining the RHF, she led development teams focused on healthcare and post-secondary education. Teresa is also an instructor and course developer at Ryerson University’s G. Raymond Chang School for Continuing Education and holds degrees in Canadian history from the University of Ottawa and York University. She is a graduate of the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) Director Education Program. Teresa is interested in how giving patterns and attitudes towards philanthropy in Canada are changing and is passionate about strengthening the non-profit sector and civil society more broadly.

In this session, originally recorded on March 29, 2022, we asked Nandita Bijur and Galen MacLusky to share the mindsets and principles that have helped their organization, Prosper Canada, introduce and integrate human-centred design into their projects.   Download the session handout at https://maytree.com/wp-content/uploads/5GI-Mar2022.pdf. Five Good Ideas More poetry, less long-division Use design tools as a scaffold, not a checklist Start and end with people’s experience Focus on the “why’s” when creating together, not the “what’s” Use boundaries and constraints as creative springboards Resources Creative Reaction Lab’s Equity-Centred Community Design (ECCD) approach – An excellent guide to doing values-based and equity-driven design work. This includes a field guide on how to centre equity in the design work you’re doing.  IDEO.org  + Acumen’s free Introduction to Human Centred Design course – A free, online, seven-week course that takes you through the basic tools and approach behind Human-Centred Design. It’s a great way to build your toolkit and understanding of what this practice can offer you in your work, from two amazing organizations.   Service Design Tools – A curated selection of service design (a practice within Human-Centred Design) tools that you can use as a scaffold for your own explorations into research, idea-generation, prototyping, and implementation activities.   Mental Wellness at Work in Toronto’s Downtown East – A helpful case study by the Health Commons Solution Lab that gives insight to how to frame challenges and design an approach that meets the needs of participants.  Conceptual Blockbusting, by James L. Adams – Complete with activities and stories, this book can  help you understand the psychological barriers to creativity and how you can ‘unblock’ them. A great resource for anyone who wants to support their own and others’ creative ideas.   About the presenters Nandita Bijur Nandita (she/her) is a senior officer at Prosper Canada, working with municipal and community partners to integrate financial empowerment into existing services. As a service designer who has worked with frontline organizations and governments, she is most energized by learning how to make complex systems accessible and understandable. Galen MacLusky Galen is responsible for managing Prosper Canada’s Technology-Enabled Financial Empowerment projects, including the Benefits wayfinder. Galen is passionate about working with community organizations to help build and scale new ideas that deepen their impact. The foundations of his work are approaches that help organizations engage with those who are impacted by their services and test new programs and services with minimal investment. He has ten years of experience as a service designer in the private, public, and non-profit sectors, as well as a Master’s Degree in Engineering, Design, and Innovation from Northwestern University.

In this session, originally recorded on February 24, 2022, we asked Marlene Oliveira, a communications advisor and copywriter, to share her five good ideas on how to best get an organization’s communications fundamentals in order and how to plan to strengthen them. In her presentation, Marlene discussed the importance of specific frameworks, tools, and tactics, including a non-profit’s strategic plan, brand, website, and storytelling. Read the full transcript at https://maytree.com/five-good-ideas/five-good-ideas-to-get-your-communications-fundamentals-in-order/.   Five Good Ideas 1. Use the strategies and frameworks that you already have 2. Always come back to your audiences 3. Let branding be your guide 4. Give your website content the attention it deserves 5. Deliver your nonprofit’s narrative over time   Resources How to create communications objectives from nonprofit strategic goals by Nathalie Noël on the Nonprofit MarCommunity blog Big Duck podcast episode on audience personas: How can you use donor personas to guide your communications? Is your brand healthy? Four steps to give it a check-up by Farah Trompeter on the Big Duck blog Content updates or rethink your nonprofit’s website content approach? by Marlene Oliveira on the moflow blog The Benefits of Building a Narrative Organization by Thaler Pekar on the Stanford Social Innovation Review   Handouts Session handout Worksheet   About Marlene Oliveira Marlene Oliveira is a communications advisor and copywriter specializing in content strategy and copywriting for non-profit organizations. She has worked in the non-profit sector since 1999, including a two-year crash course in a grassroots role, and six years as the national communications manager at a large Canadian health charity. Since 2008, Marlene has been running her consultancy, moflow, through which she solves content challenges for a wide variety of non-profit organizations through. Marlene’s approach is to tap into the knowledge, experience, and expertise her clients already possess, to help their communications “flow.” Marlene on social media: LinkedIn Twitter

In this session, originally recorded on January 26, 2022, we asked Matthew Mendelsohn, a public policy entrepreneur, researcher, strategic advisor and public sector executive, to share his five good ideas on the best ways to influence the decisions governments make. Matthew provides an overview of lessons he has learned during his time in government, advocacy, consulting and policy think tanks. Read the full transcript at https://maytree.com/five-good-ideas/five-good-ideas-to-influence-public-policy/. Five Good Ideas 1. Political science matters – interests, institutions, ideas, identity, and incentives all constrain outcomes 2. Understand the political process, the bureaucratic process, and the issue 3. Relationships and trust are capital 4. Stories matter to help frame problems and solutions 5. The announcement is the end of the beginning – details and implementation matter Resources David Evans and Markus Goldstein: 8 lessons on how to influence policy with evidence – from Oxfam’s experience. Overseas Development Institute: 10 things to know about how to influence policy with research. Antje Dun: How to frame issues for social change impact. Pedro Barata: Five Good Ideas for getting your issues on the public policy dance floor Sherri Torjman: Five Good Ideas about policy About Matthew Mendelsohn Matthew Mendelsohn is a public policy entrepreneur, researcher, strategic advisor, and public sector executive. He has been using public policy to deliver economic and social impact for 25 years. He is currently a Visiting Professor and co-founder of First Policy Response at Ryerson University in Toronto and a Senior Advisor to Boston Consulting Group’s Global Public Sector Practice. From 2016-2020 he served as Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet in the Privy Council Office, where he led the Prime Minister’s Results & Delivery Unit and the Impact & Innovation Unit. During his time in Ottawa, he also co-led the Government of Canada data strategy, oversaw advice on digital and platform governance, and designed Impact Canada, which developed Challenges and outcomes-based funding initiatives for the government. Prior to his role in the Privy Council Office, Matthew was the founding Director of the Mowat Centre, a public policy think tank in the School of Public Policy & Governance at the University of Toronto. During that time, he published and spoke about government transformation, democratic institutions, social and economic policy, and federalism. Matthew is a former Deputy Minister and Associate Secretary to the Cabinet with the Ontario government and a former Senior Advisor in the federal government’s Privy Council Office where he led the polling unit. He was a chief architect of the 2015 Liberal election platform and a member of Prime Minister Trudeau’s transition team. Matthew received his B.A. from McGill University and Ph.D. from the l’Université de Montréal and held a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of British Columbia. He was a tenured faculty member in the Department of Political Studies at Queen’s University for 10 years and has been an active board member for many non-profit and charitable organizations that support community well-being, civic engagement, and economic...

In this session, originally recorded on November 25, 2021, we asked Rosemarie Powell, Executive Director of the Toronto Community Benefits Network (TCBN), to share five good ideas about the lessons she has learned as the leader of a community-labour coalition charged with implementing community benefits agreements. Local communities want the workforce building public infrastructure to reflect the demographics of their neighbourhoods and for the accrued economic benefits to be shared more equitably. Construction unions also recognize community benefits as an opportunity to increase diversity and inclusion in their workforce. If the goals and values are shared, how can the promise of community benefits be fulfilled? In this Five Good Ideas session, Rosemarie Powell shares the lessons she has learned as the leader of a community-labour coalition charged with implementing community benefits agreements. She has worked on some of the city’s largest public infrastructure projects, including the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, Finch West LRT, Casino Woodbine, and the West Park Healthcare Centre. Rosemarie tells the story of how TCBN created a foundation for success by building an allied coalition. She takes us through their journey of building trust, revealing some of the systems and processes they used to hold each side accountable while recognizing and celebrating progress along the way. Five Good Ideas 1. Co-create the foundation for success 2. Cultivate a coalition of champions and allies 3. Build and preserve trust while working through challenges 4. Maintain a clear definition of success and verify outcomes 5. Recognize and celebrate milestones and progress Resources Community Benefits: Annual Report 2020 NexGen Builders Mentoring Program Building Diversity Awards and Recognition Program Community Benefits YouTube Channel YouTube video: NexGen Builders Mentoring Program OCS Demographics & Diversity: A Portrait of Ontario’s Unionized Construction Industry OCS Community Benefits Report About Rosemarie Powell Rosemarie Powell is a passionate advocate for social, economic, and environmental justice. She has led for over 20 years from the grassroots up, managing and developing several innovative and impactful community programs and services to support historically disadvantaged communities and equity seeking groups’ access to the labour market and the economy. Her community engagement work in Jane and Finch earned several awards for leadership and imagination. Currently, Rosemarie is the Executive Director of the Toronto Community Benefits Network (TCBN). TCBN is a community/labour coalition of 120 member organizations and groups which successfully initiated Community Benefits Agreements for the Eglinton Crosstown and Finch West LRT transit projects, West Park Healthcare Centre, and Rexdale Casino Woodbine.

In this session, originally recorded on October 25, 2021, we asked Owen Charters, President & CEO of BGC Canada, to present his five good ideas about how a board can be better. They say strategy starts with the board, but is that really true, and should it be? Whether you’re an executive director or CEO (including an aspiring one), managing a board is a skill that’s rarely taught, yet vital to any senior non-profit leader. In this Five Good Ideas session with Owen Charters, find out how a board can be better. What should it focus on, and what should it ignore? Build a great board so that governance adds real value to you and your organization. Learn what and how to present issues to your board. Discover five good ideas (and a few bad ones to avoid) to keep your board on track, ensuring they are a partner in guiding your organization on the toughest decisions, and uncover whether they really should be the seat of organizational strategy. Five Good Ideas 1. Guide and shape the work of the board in three key areas: policy, strategy, and generative governance; but remember, boards don’t DO strategy. 2. Boards manage and evaluate CEOs; but CEOs need to take the initiative to shape this work. 3. Boards should be diverse, but most importantly must be reflective of the community. 4. Boards need to be engaged – committees, education programs, mission connection, and as alumni. 5. Look to other sectors – there are good practices that we can emulate in the corporate sector around accountability and shaping the work of the board. Resources Muttart Foundation – Board Development Workbooks Governance as Leadership: Reframing the Work of Nonprofit Boards. An excellent book by Dr. Richard Chait, Mr. William Ryan, and Ms. Barbara Taylor. Leading with Intent: BoardSource Index of Nonprofit Board Practices – access free and paid materials Deloitte – The Effective Not-for-Profit Board: A value-driving force Owen Charters’ article “Board Governance in Practice” (chapter 8) in Intersections and Innovations: Change for Canada’s Voluntary and Nonprofit Sector, published by the Muttart Foundation and Carleton University About Owen Charters Owen Charters is CEO of BGC Canada (formerly Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada). He serves on the advisory board of Common Good, a retirement plan for nonprofit sector employees, the Advisory Committee for the School for Advanced Studies in the Arts and Humanities at Western University, and the board of the National Alliance for Children and Youth. Former Chair of Imagine Canada and the Human Resources Council on the Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector, Owen is also faculty for the Social Sector Leadership MBA at York University’s Schulich School of Business. He is interested in pushing for a stronger nonprofit sector voice in Canadian policy, as well as better working conditions for sector employees.

In this session, originally recorded on September 28, 2021, we asked Neena Gupta, a partner at Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP, to present her five good ideas about creating a successful hybrid workplace. COVID-19 forced employers and employees to adapt to a virtual workplace. More than one and a half years into the pandemic, many employees don’t want to go back to the old ways of working, and employers are looking to find ways to create a hybrid workplace where their staff can work in the office as well as from home. Neena Gupta presents five good ideas about some of the legal, compliance, and HR issues you need to consider to make your hybrid workplace a true success. Download Neena’s presentation The podcast and transcript are provided for general information purposes only and are not legal advice. You should consult your own lawyer about your specific needs and requirements. © Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP. Five Good Ideas 1. Survey your people 2. Review your physical workspace 3. Review your employee’s remote workspace 4. Decide on your vaccination policy 5. Draft your remote workplace policy Bonus ideas 6. Re-SURVEY the workplace 7. Invest in mental health 8. Reconsider pay Resources Examples of surveys WorkTango SurveyMonkey SnapSurveys Sue Bingham, “To Make Hybrid Work, Solicit Employees’ Input,” Harvard Business Review (July 29, 2021) Public Health Ontario, “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems in Buildings and COVID-19” Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety, “Telework / Remote Work / Working From Home,” (fact sheet) City of Toronto news release, “Toronto Medical Officer of Health strongly recommending Toronto employers institute COVID-19 vaccination policy and support workplace vaccination” KPMG, “Work from home… work from office… or both? – A Hybrid Workplace guide to successfully build and manage a flexible future of work” Communitech, “Get back to work[space]!” Government of Ontario resource Government of Canada resources Gowling WLG COVID-19 Insights Insights: Mandatory Vaccinations For the full transcript, visit

In this session, originally recorded on June 15, 2021, we asked Jeff Szeto, Chief Financial Officer at Avana Capital Corporation and Maytree, to speak about his five good ideas to enhance your finance toolkit. For anyone working in a for-profit, non-profit, or charitable organization, it is critically important to have a robust finance and accounting team that can help them understand and leverage the financial aspects of their organization. This will help minimize risk but also support them – and their organization – in navigating and planning for the future. Using a practical and illustrative approach, and based on his experience in both non-profit and for-profit sectors, Jeff speaks on five good ideas to have in your finance toolkit that can help you build and maintain a strong financial foundation. Five Good Ideas 1. Assess and improve operational efficiency2. Implement appropriate risk management3. Ensure you have business intelligence tools4. Be thoughtful about resource planning5. Integrate finance into the enterprise Resources CPA Canada: Business and accounting resources – topical whitepapers on topics impacting finance and accounting professionals Deloitte Insights – whitepapers covering a range of highly current topics ranging from strategy, operations, technology to accounting, etc. WHO: Solve your #1 Problem – a guide to formulaic guide to hiring by Geoff Smart and Randy Street Gartner.com – the latest trending finance topics backed by experts and peers Mckinsey Special Collection: The Role of the CFO – a good article on the role of a CFO For the full transcript, visit https://maytree.com/five-good-ideas/five-good-ideas-to-build-your-finance-toolkit/ About Jeff Szeto Jeff has over 15 years of extensive experience in leading, managing, and growing finance functions in high-growth entrepreneurial businesses. His background has seen him working in mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance for top-tier financial institutions, as well as serving as CFO of rapidly growing private companies. This diverse experience gives him the vision and leadership to scale high performing finance teams. In addition to his operating roles, he leads the direct investing group at ACS Ventures and plays an advisory role to many entrepreneurial ventures. He also serves as the CFO of Maytree, is currently the audit Chair of the TaddleCreek Family Health Team, and most recently was the previous CFO of Canada Learning Code, a high growth charity that is playing an instrumental role in designing, promoting, and delivering technology education across Canada.

In this session, originally recorded on March 25, 2021, we asked Lesa Francis, Avvy Go, Samya Hasan and Shalini Konanur to share five good ideas for racial justice change-making. How do we best address growing colour-coded inequality – for Indigenous peoples and peoples of colour, including Black Canadians? What are the institutional, structural, and systemic impacts of racism, faithism, and related inequality in education, housing, justice, health, and employment? How can individuals, groups, and organizations engage in effective trust-building, ally-ship, partnership development, and advocacy – to build on our successes, maintain hard-won gains, and bring about needed change? By highlighting examples of the real economic, health, and social impacts of racism and faithism, Lesa Francis, Avvy Go, Samya Hasan, and Shalini Konanur break down five good ideas for better “walking the talk” on racial equity and delivering more effectively on racial justice in Ontario. This Five Good Ideas session was organized in partnership with Colour of Poverty – Colour of Change. Five Good Ideas Collect disaggregated race-based (and other socio-demographic) data. Incorporate a racial equity and racial justice lens in the development and evaluation of policies, budgets, programs, practices, and cultures – both internally and externally. Adopt an intersectional approach to your anti-racism and racial equity and racial justice work and apply it in the hiring and promotion of staff, as well as in the recruitment of board members. Build effective ally-ship among and across peoples of colour, Indigenous Peoples, and others, as it is critical in the promotion of racial equity and racial justice in all of our partnership building and advocacy, within and across organizations, communities, and society. Lobby governments for systems level changes that promote racial equity and racial justice, and build internal organizational capacity to actively advocate for and support such change-making efforts. Resources Colour of Poverty Fact Sheets (2019) Count Me In – Collecting Human Rights Based Data (OHRC)  COP-COC Disaggregated Data Collection Survey Tool-Template Measuring Health Equity – Demographic Data Collection in Health Care Employment Equity 101 (COP-COC) For the full transcript, visit https://maytree.com/five-good-ideas/five-good-ideas-for-racial-justice-change-making/ About the presenters Lesa FrancisAt the date of the Five Good Ideas session (March 25, 2021), Lesa Francis was the Interim Executive Director at the Black Legal Action Centre, a specialty legal aid clinic in Ontario that works to develop access to justice and combat individual and systemic anti-Black racism. Avvy GoAt the date of the Five Good Ideas session (March 25, 2021), Avvy Go was the Clinic Director of the Chinese and Southeast Asian Legal Clinic and a founding steering committee member of Colour...

In this session, originally recorded on April 22, 2021, we asked Marina Glogovac, President & CEO of CanadaHelps, to share five good ideas for demystifying digital transformation. With a career spanning nearly three decades in technology and media (including working in the magazine industry during the shift to the internet), Marina knows the challenges that come from forced disruptions. She helps listeners understand what digital transformation actually means, and how to think about and approach this seemingly overwhelming task. Five Good Ideas Digital transformation is not about technology. You need the right technology, and integration is important. You need a clearly defined vision and to address four areas: Internal productivity, donor and customer process, culture and roles, and new service and revenue models. Change must be resourced. Go digital or go dark. A sense of urgency and ongoing commitment to digital transformation is critical for future survival and success. Resources: CanadaHelps’ Whitepapers on Digital Fundraising. CanadaHelps’ Webinars on Digital Fundraising. “Unlocking success in digital transformations.” McKinsey & Company. The Giving Report 2021: Faster Growth in Online Giving Crucial During Times of Crisis. CanadaHelps. The Technology Fallacy. How People Are the Real Key to Digital Transformation. By Gerald C. Kane, Anh Nguyen Phillips, Jonathan R. Copulsky and Garth R. Andrus. For the full transcript, visit https://maytree.com/five-good-ideas/demystifying-digital-transformation/ About Marina Glogovac Marina Glogovac is President & CEO of CanadaHelps, a leader in providing fundraising and donation technology to charities and donors since 2000. She is passionate about charities and their essential role in Canada, and about building the capacity of the charitable sector through cutting-edge technology and high-quality education. Under her leadership since 2013, CanadaHelps has rapidly accelerated its growth trajectory, almost tripling the donations it facilitates for charities and dramatically expanding its offerings for both charities and donors.   Marina is an in-demand public speaker and panelist on the topics of digital transformation, social impact, innovation and disruption, and democratization of access to technology in the charitable sector. Marina regularly shares her perspective as a blogger for Huffington Post Canada, and is a past columnist for the Globe and Mail’s Leadership Lab.  Prior to joining CanadaHelps, Marina had a 25-year career in leading e-commerce, technology, and media companies, including as Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Revenue Officer at Lavalife Corp., Chief Marketing Officer at Kobo Inc., Chief Revenue Officer at Dealfind, and Group Publisher for St. Joseph’s Media, including their flagship...

In this session, originally recorded on February 25, 2021, we asked Royson James to share five good ideas about cultivating lasting relationships with media and journalists. How do you adopt a media mind and make it yours? At some point you may have gotten burned by media or just ignored. Since disengagement isn’t an option, how do you move on and germinate, nurture, and sustain lasting relationships? In this Five Good Ideas session, Royson James, the Toronto Star’s urban affairs columnist and former City Hall bureau chief, de-mystifies the media and talks about how journalists think so you know when, where, and how to engage them intelligently. Five Good Ideas Everybody gets screwed by the media. Knowing this prepares you for when your turn comes. “Fractured Journo World” is an opportunity masquerading as an obstacle. One hand washes the other – symbiosis sustains the system. Know your allies. They often stick out. Be the media junkie and benefit your organization. Related resource: Columbia Journalism Review: The voice of journalism since 1961. Gives critical analysis on the state of journalism. The Poynter Institute teaches, inspires, challenges, and creates a journalism idealism that builds confidence that someone is preoccupied with truth, context, and great witting. The Toronto Star: Your best media ally and friend in the GTA and in Ontario; most likely to be in synch with your goals for a healthy, caring, and equitable civil society. MediaSmarts: Canada’s centre for digital media literacy. The New Media Epidemic: The Undermining of Society, Family, and Our Own Soul by Jean-Claude Larchet. Podcast review of a book you may wish to read. For the full transcript, visit https://maytree.com/five-good-ideas/cultivating-relationships-with-media/ About Royson James Royson James is the Toronto Star’s urban affairs columnist and former City Hall bureau chief, recognized throughout the region for his dogged reporting on the region’s governments, and on social justice. He’s a native of Jamaica who immigrated to Canada in 1969, attended Harbord Collegiate in downtown Toronto and had his journalistic training at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. In 2004 he was named an honored alumnus of Andrews University. Royson is an active member of the Toronto West Seventh-day Adventist Church. He has directed the pathfinder club for kids 10 to 16. He also writes and produces an annual Easter Musical and dramatic presentations. The pathfinders, like Scouts but co-ed, plant an annual community garden and engage in community work. In 2013 he received Canada’s premier award for African Canadians – the Harry Jerome Award for media. In 2014 he was a finalist in the National Newspaper Award for columnist of a Canadian newspaper. Royson is married with four children.

In this session, originally recorded on January 26, 2021, we asked Kristen Pennington to share five good ideas about workplace harassment. Workplace harassment complaints can cause significant organizational unrest, loss of reputation and damage to employee morale, in addition to considerable legal liability. In this session, Kristen Pennington, Partner, Employment and Privacy Law at McMillan LLP, discusses meaningful ways an organization can prevent workplace harassment to avoid such complaints, as well as minimize disruption in the event a workplace harassment complaint is received. Topics include how to develop and implement effective workplace harassment policies and procedures, and how to prepare to make key decisions if a complaint is made. Legal disclaimer This podcast is provided for general information purposes only. It is neither intended as, nor should be considered, legal advice. Readers, viewers, and listeners are cautioned against making any decisions based on this material alone. Rather, a qualified lawyer should be consulted. © McMillan LLP 2021. Five Good Ideas Make your workplace harassment policy a living document Implement ongoing and dynamic training Remove barriers to making complaints Assemble your investigation team Demonstrate leadership buy-in Related resource: McMillan Lawcasts – Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Misconduct in the Workplace: Best Practices for Corporate Counsel and HR Specialists (note: free registration required) McMillan Employment and Labour Bulletin – Inadequate Workplace Harassment Investigation Results in $75,000 Damage Award McMillan Employment and Labour Bulletin – Sorry Not Sorry: Ontario Decision Highlights “Aggravating Factors” in Sexual Harassment Cases Statistics Canada – Harassment in Canadian Workplaces Resources For the full transcript, visit https://maytree.com/five-good-ideas/five-good-ideas-about-workplace-harassment/ About Kristen Pennington Kristen Pennington is a Partner at McMillan LLP, a full-service law firm with offices nationwide, where she practices both employment and privacy law. Experienced in all areas of employment law, Kristen advises employers on hiring and dismissals, employment contracts, performance management and discipline, employment policies, and human rights laws. With an active litigation practice, Kristen has appeared before courts and tribunals at all levels in Ontario, as well as at various arbitrations and mediations. An area of particular expertise for Kristen is assisting employers in developing and implementing effective workplace discrimination, violence, and harassment policies and programs, and managing workplace complaints. She also provides training on workplace investigations, employee accommodation, management of conflict in the workplace, and the handling of employees’ personal information.  

In this session, originally recorded on December 3, 2020, we asked Mary W. Rowe to share her five good ideas for the non-profit sector to build a city, now and in the wake of a global pandemic. Mary is President and CEO of the Canadian Urban Institute. She is no stranger to how cities recover from disasters, having worked in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and New York City during and following Hurricane Sandy. For several years Mary worked closely with Maytree Chair Alan Broadbent on Ideas that Matter, a convening and publishing program focused on the core areas of Jane Jacobs’ work: cities, economies, and values. Her work continues to be focused on how cities enable self-organization, cultivate innovation, and build social, economic, environmental, and cultural resilience. This Five Good Ideas session was organized in partnership with the Canadian Urban Institute. Five Good Ideas Everything important really does start, and is, local Now’s the time to start sleeping with your enemies Lead with improvisation, experimentation, and risk-taking Do not assume, do not wait: Say goodbye to “Big Daddy” Watch, share, talk, act Related resource: The Third Pillar by Raghuram Rajan | read a review “Rolling up our sleeves” (conference keynote by Mary Rowe) – “Granular Resilience: Paying Attention to the Local” (article by Mary Rowe) “New Orleans speaks: We are the ones we’ve been waiting for” (video) CUI websites: www.citywatchcanada.ca, www.citysharecanada.ca, www.citytalkcanada.ca and www.bringbackmainstreet.ca For the full transcript, visit https://maytree.com/five-good-ideas/five-good-ideas-to-build-a-city/ About Mary W. Rowe Mary W. Rowe is President and CEO of the Canadian Urban Institute. An impassioned civic leader with diverse experience in the business, government, not-for-profit and philanthropy sectors in Canada and the United States for over 30 years, Mary has been a steady advocate and champion for place-based approaches to building livable and resilient cities, and community-driven local economies. She has led campaigns, organizations, initiatives, and companies spanning a few months to several years. Mary was deeply engaged in the self-organizing initiatives that emerged in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, providing support to two dozen initiatives that focused on various forms of resilience. She also supported, in her role at MAS NYC, community engagement efforts during the recovery from Superstorm Sand...

In this session, originally recorded on October 28, 2020, we asked Nora Beatty and Alex Mazer to share five good ideas for building financial health through the workplace. With over 40% of Canadians living paycheque to paycheque, more employers are asking what they can do to increase the financial health of their staff. Alex Mazer and Nora Beatty of workplace retirement plan provider Common Wealth share their five good ideas to help you build financial security in the short and longer term. As an employer, you will come away with ideas you can take to reduce financial stress for your employees; as an individual, you will learn ways to make your hard-earned savings go further. Five Good Ideas Make the business case for employee financial health (HINT: it’s not just “nice to do”) Take advantage of Tax-Free Savings Accounts Keep fees low Provide education on accessing government benefits Make savings automatic Related resource: Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan, Common Wealth and the National Institute on Ageing, “The Value of a Good Pension: How to improve the efficiency of retirement savings in Canada” (2018) (learn about the surprisingly large financial value of a good workplace retirement plan – and what makes a plan “good”) John Stapleton, Open Policy Ontario, “Toolkit: Low Income Retirement Planning” (2020) (learn about the importance of the Tax-Free Savings Account, and other strategies to maximize income in retirement for modest earners) Larry Bates, “T-Rex” fee calculator (see how much of your returns are being eaten up by high fees) Prosper Canada, Financial Relief Navigator (find out what government benefits you might be eligible for) Ontario Securities Commission (access financial education tools and resources approved by one of Canada’s most prominent financial regulators) For the full transcript, visit https://maytree.com/five-good-ideas/five-good-ideas-for-building-financial-health-through-the-workplace/ About Nora Beatty and Alex Mazer Nora Beatty is the Director of People Operations at Common Wealth. She is passionate about people and connecting innovative people strategies to better business outcomes. Nora’s journey in HR started at Oracle, and since then she has had the opportunity to join some of the most exciting tech companies and start-ups in the city. Before joining Common Wealth, Nora built out and led the People function at Hubdoc, and supported the deal team during the acquisition by Xero. Post-acquisition, Nora took on a broader operations role, supporting some of the GTM initiatives, while also leading the People function. Alex Mazer is a Founding Partner of Common Wealth, a mission-driven business that works with associations, unions, and groups of employers to provide value-for-money, collective retirement plans that combine user-friendly technology, digital retirement planning, low-cost investments, guaranteed lifetime income, and a fiduciary duty to members. The company’s focus is on constituencies that are uncovered or under-served by traditional employer-sponsored r...

In this session, originally recorded on September 28, 2020, we asked Paul Taylor to share five good ideas about advocating for change. Many of us are seeing the need to create a better world, one that is more just, equitable and sustainable. COVID-19 has caused us to ask a lot of questions about how we can build back better. It’s a moment that has the potential to be profoundly transformative. In this five good ideas session, Paul Taylor, Executive Director of FoodShare Toronto, talks about his own experience in advocating for change and presents his five good ideas for you to use in your own work. Five Good Ideas Your advocacy journey begins with what is most important to you. Advocacy isn’t always about the big stuff (aka public policy). Curiosity is key! Foster it in organizations and in organizing. Challenge assumptions + keep listening + recognize the box we’ve been convinced to think inside of. Acknowledge the obstacles and consider they can be overcome. Be bold! Dream in colour! Better is possible! Related resource: It’s time for politicians to take food insecurity and poverty seriously. Op-ed by Paul Taylor, Toronto Star (August 15, 2018). Pandemic has exposed the rifts in our social fabric. Op-ed by Paul Taylor, Toronto Star (April 21, 2020). Podcast: AAPF and Kimberle Crenshaw Present: INTERSECTIONALITY MATTERS! The podcast that brings intersectionality to life. Book: The Revolution Will Not Be Funded: Beyond the Non-Profit Industrial Complex Website: Metro Vancouver Alliance For the full transcript, visit https://maytree.com/five-good-ideas/five-good-ideas-about-advocating-for-change/ About Paul Taylor Paul Taylor is the Executive Director of FoodShare Toronto, and a lifelong anti-poverty activist. Growing up materially poor in Toronto, Paul has used his experience to fuel a career focused not just on helping others, but dismantling the beliefs and systems that lead to poverty and food insecurity, including colonialism, capitalism, white supremacy, and patriarchal structures. Each year, FoodShare provides a quarter million people with fresh produce, and fights for their right to have access to “good” food on their own terms, rather than charity on someone else’s. Paul’s experience includes Executive Director roles at Gordon Neighbourhood House and the Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood House. He has also chaired the British Columbia Poverty Reduction Coalition, and served on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and as Vice-Chair of Food Secure Canada.

In this session, originally recorded on June 30, 2020, we asked Lindsay Groves and Susan Vardon to share five good Ideas about fundraising in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this period of uncertainty created by the Covid-19 pandemic, many non-profit organizations have revised budgets and modified revenue projections to reflect the new reality. While it’s essential that we exercise caution in our outlook, we must also seek every opportunity to set priorities and plans that strengthen our fundraising potential in 2020 and 2021. Lindsay Groves, Vice President, Global Partnerships, and Susan Vardon, Canadian National Director, both of Right To Play International, share ideas on how to re-think your case for giving, innovate your approaches to communications and stewardship to maintain relationships with government partners and individual and corporate donors, as well as recover revenue from lost special events. Five Good Ideas Evolve your case for giving Stay close to “family” Get creative with your grant portfolio Re-frame your special events Leverage technology to advance relationships Related resource: Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP): Coronavirus/ COVID-19 resource guide  Oxford Group: Insights Global Giving: Eight tips for compassionate fundraising during COVID-19 Philanthropy Daily: How to recover revenue from canceled fundraising events KCI: COVID 19’s impact on Canadian fundraising For the full transcript, visit https://maytree.com/five-good-ideas/five-good-ideas-about-fundraising-in-the-time-of-the-covid-19-pandemic/ About Lindsay Groves and Susan Vardon Lindsay Groves is the Vice President for Global Partnerships at Right To Play. Lindsay joined Right To Play’s Global Office in 2008. As the Vice-President for Global Partnerships, Lindsay builds impactful partnerships and programs that empower children to rise above the challenges they face. Lindsay has a Bachelor of Arts from Queens University, a post-graduate degree in International Project Management from Humber College and a Masters of Education from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto. Susan Vardon is the National Director at Right To Play Canada and has been in that role since September of 2019. She leads a team that fundraises from Canadians for both global programs and partnerships with Indigenous communities in Canada that support children through the power of play. Prior to joining Right To Play, Susan was the Director of Strategic Partnerships at Community Food Centres Canada (CFCC) for 3.5 years. Before CFCC, Susan spent over 20 years at United Way Greater Toronto in a variety of different roles. Susan has also worked as a fundraiser at Queen’s University, The Wellesley Hospital and Upper Canada College. Susan graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from Queen’s University in 1988 and has a CFRE, Certified Fundraising Executive, designation. When not working,...

In this session, originally recorded on May 6, 2020, Christine Yip shares her five good ideas about maintaining morale while managing a remote team. After a few months of working from home, most of us will have fallen into some type of routine. At the same time, removed from our daily in-person contacts, relying on regular video calls, watching too many news conferences hoping for an easing of the restrictions, many may also feel a renewed sense of anxiety. Some of you may start to feel “fed up” with being stuck inside, having a hard time getting motivated to get your day started, or keeping a good balance between being at your (home) work desk and getting a good rest away from your desk. And for those of us managing a team, now remotely, we have the additional task of making sure everyone is doing well and keeping mentally healthy. Five Good Ideas Be clear and realistic about expectations Be flexible and respect boundaries Communicate effectively Provide space to “recharge” Take time to take care of yourself Related resource: Working from Home: The Good, The Bad, and The Key to Success Access additional resources at orgsforimpact.com/resources For the full transcript, visit https://maytree.com/stories/five-good-ideas-about-maintaining-morale-while-managing-a-remote-team/ About Christine Yip Christine Yip is the Founder of Organizations for Impact, a management consultancy that works with leaders across sectors to build more inclusive, psychologically safe, and empowering workplace cultures. Previous to this, Christine worked as a Manager at both Accenture and KPMG consulting practices, and as a social policy researcher at the University of Toronto’s Mowat Centre and the London School of Economics’ Centre for Analysis and Social Exclusion. She holds a Masters Degree in Social Policy and Planning from the London School of Economics and a Masters in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from the University of Guelph. She also teaches Change Management at York’s Schulich School of Business.  

In this session, originally recorded on May 26, 2020, Robyn Osgood and Dave McKechnie share their five good ideas about re-opening your workplace post COVID-19. Robyn Osgood, Managing Director, McMillan Vantage Policy Group, and Dave McKechnie, Chair, Employment & Labour Relations, McMillan LLP, discussed their five good ideas for organizations to implement as we think about re-opening our workplaces, including re-examining how we work and implementing lessons learned over the course of the COVID-19 crisis. Five Good Ideas It’s chaos, be kind (learn to embrace the chaos while sweating the big stuff) Level up: it’s (past) time to upgrade (and it’s not just about technology) Figure out what’s worked and hasn’t worked (and who it is that makes the determination) Know your team: what will it take for people to work in an office Hold up a mirror: do as you say Additional resources: Presentation slides (PDF) Returning to Work: Is Your Organization Ready? (PDF): A three-point Return-to-Work Health Check to help associations and not-for-profits navigate the new normal McMillan Lawcasts: Archive of webinars to help you and your team stay current on the latest legal developments (note: free registration required) Edited online chat transcript For the full transcript, visit https://maytree.com/stories/five-good-ideas-about-re-opening-your-workplace-post-covid-19/ About Robyn Osgood and Dave McKechnie Robyn Osgood is a Managing Director at McMillan Vantage Policy Group. She has almost 30 years of experience providing strategic communications counsel and developing and implementing communications plans. She has worked extensively with the NGO sector over that time. Dave McKechnie is the Chair of Employment & Labour Relations, McMillan LLP. He practices in all areas of labour and employment law at both the provincial and federal level. The podcast is provided for general information purposes only. It is neither intended as, nor should be considered, legal advice and listeners are cautioned against making any decisions based on this material alone. Rather, a qualified lawyer should be consulted. © McMillan LLP 2020.

In this session, originally recorded on February 26, 2020, we look at how to build democratic power for change. Our speaker for this session is Michal Hay, the Founding Executive Director of Progress Toronto. As an organizer, her focus is on bridging the gap between people and the political power needed for progressive change. Our cities are becoming increasingly unaffordable and income inequality is widening faster than ever before. People, communities, and an entire generation are being squeezed out. The decisions made in the halls of power can either take us down a more progressive path or deepen the divide. Unfortunately, many decision-makers are removed from the day-to-day experiences of the people they represent. So how can we influence and shape the decisions being made? What power do we have to create meaningful change and transform our cities? In this Five Good Ideas session, Michal Hay shares her experiences on building power, winning, and making change. She offers five good ideas for building democratic power to win. Five Good Ideas 1. The power we have is people 2. Our power increases as our numbers increase, and for that to truly/deeply happen we need distributed leadership 3. Invest in building power. That means training people and giving them the opportunity to apply the skills and lead 4. Share your strategy, goals, and priorities with people to help train and motivate them 5. Every campaign is an opportunity build power and ideally to build on what was built before  Resources 1. Movement School’s Campaign Fellows. This 10-week intensive campaign simulation cultivates leaders to run, and win, grassroots campaigns. Movement School is an initiative connected to Justice Democrats, a coalition working to elect more progressives in America. https://www.movementschool.us/campaignfellows 2. Our Revolution. This organization was formed after Bernie Sanders first presidential campaign in 2016. Outside of the presidential election they have run issue-based campaigns and supported candidates in local and state election. https://www.ourrevolution.com/ 3. Barcelona en Comú. In 2015, Ada Colau became the mayor of Barcelona from a historic campaign that involved as many people. Her organizing and leadership is changing the city. https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/jun/22/barcelona-comun-guide-how-win-city-elite 4. Make the Road New York. They focus on building the power of immigrant and working class communities to achieve dignity and justice. Check out their leadership development programs — and victories to be inspired. https://maketheroadny.org/ 5. Push Buffalo. A locally based organization that believes deeply in people power by mobilizing residents to create strong neighbourhoods with affordable housing through efforts like expanding local hiring opportunities, and advancing economic and environmental justice. https://www.pushbuffalo.org/mission/ For the full transcript, visit https://maytree.com/five-good-ideas/five-good-ideas-about-building-power-for-change/ About Michal Hay Michal Hay is the Founding Executive Director of Progres...

In this session, originally recorded on January 28, 2020, we look at how individuals, managers, and organizations can create psychologically safe workplaces with Christine Yip. As work becomes busier, deadlines tighter, and pressure to do more with less becomes the rule rather than the exception, it is not surprising that the “self-care” movement has become more popular than ever. But as organizations continue to require their people to deliver more with less, “self-care” strategies can only go so far. In this Five Good Ideas session, Christine Yip, founder of Organizations for Impact, shares her own personal experience surviving and thriving in high pressure work environments, as well as practical strategies individuals, managers, and organizations can put into practice to “walk the talk” in creating psychologically safe workplaces. Five Good Ideas 1. Start with compassion – for yourself and those you work with 2. Communicate with courage 3. Find the “Positive Deviants” and share learnings 4. Role model and reward behaviours that promote trust, empathy, and support 5. Set up accountability mechanisms to foster a culture of psychological safety  Resources 1. TedTalk Dan Cable: Best-Self Activation | Professor Dan Cable | TEDx London Business School 2. National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace (Mental Health Commission of Canada) 3. Guarding Minds at Work Survey & Business Case Tools (Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction) 4. Workplace Strategies for Mental Health by Canada Life 5. Google Re:Work Toolkit for Psychological Safety  For the full transcript, visit https://maytree.com/five-good-ideas/five-good-ideas-about-creating-a-psychologically-safe-workplace-culture/ About Christine Yip Christine Yip is the Founder of Organizations for Impact, a management consultancy that works with leaders across sectors to build more inclusive, psychologically safe, and empowering workplace cultures. Previous to this, Christine worked as a Manager at both Accenture and KPMG consulting practices, and as a social policy researcher at the University of Toronto’s Mowat Centre and the London School of Economics’ Centre for Analysis and Social Exclusion. She holds a Masters Degree in Social Policy and Planning from the London School of Economics and a Masters in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from the University of Guelph. She also teaches Change Management at York’s Schulich School of Business.

In this session, originally recorded on November 26, 2019, we look at how your non-profit can minimize the risk of a CRA audit, and be in a good position if and when that auditor gives your organization a call. Our guest speaker for this session is Susan Manwaring.   For the full transcript and the ideas, visit https://maytree.com/five-good-ideas/five-good-ideas-about-staying-on-the-right-side-of-the-cra/   Charities know about the tax regulations that govern their work and work hard to stay compliant. That said, as organizations are all faced with competing pressures for time and resources in their work, it is often tough to prioritize what gets done and figure out how to meet these requirements efficiently. But there are things your organization can do when operating and maintaining its books and records to ensure that the CRA gives you a good report card if an audit occurs. In this session, learn about five good ideas to help minimize the risk of a CRA audit and be in a good position if and when the CRA auditor gives your organization a call   Five Good Ideas 1. Know your charitable purpose and stay focused on furthering your mission 2. Understand the CRA rules and regulations 3. Organize your books and records 4. Don’t be fearful if contacted by CRA 5. Prepare! Prepare! Prepare! – Consult internally and with your advisors before CRA arrives   Resources 1. Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) Canada: Not-for-profit governance: Summary resource guide 2. Imagine Canada: Charity tax tools – record keeping 3. Robert Hayhoe, Miller Thomson LLP: Canada Customs and Revenue Agency charity audits 4. Canada Revenue Agency: Public policy dialogue and development activities by charities 5. Canada Revenue Agency: Compliance and audits 6. Canada Revenue Agency: Issuing receipts   A cautionary note The ideas and resources are provided for general information purposes only. They are neither intended as, nor should be considered, legal advice, and readers and viewers are cautioned against making any decisions based on this material alone. Rather, a qualified lawyer should be consulted.   About Susan Manwaring Susan Manwaring is a recognized leading expert advising social enterprises, charities and non-profits in her practice. Susan provides both general counsel and specialized tax advice to her clients across Canada and internationally. Susan is the national lead of the Social Impact Group at Miller Thomson LLP. In addition to her work as general counsel to charities and non-profits, Susan h...