A virtual meeting space for Executive directors. The 75-minute discussions are intended to offer a break to Executive directors, a safe place to share and to learn. A different topic is addressed at each meeting, which is often co-facilitated by a ED (the conversations are in French).

Taking care of your relationship with your Board of Directors –  Postponed to a later date, to be defined
Boards of directors are essential to the life of an organization. The relationship between them and senior management can fluctuate over time, from being at its best to mediocre or even dysfunctional, with consequences for the organization.

In this chat, we invite you to reflect together on the practices that can be put in place to foster fruitful collaboration between the Board and senior management.

In large groups and sub-groups, we’ll share our experiences and suggestions on governance issues and the winning conditions that could be put in place to nurture this relationship.  

Depending on the topics, some early bird chats are geared toward a larger audience and all team members are welcome.

Given your interest in learning together, we’re repeating the philanthropic café formula, this time with a focus on communications and marketing. The café is not a theoretical training session! It’s based on the co-construction of collective wisdom through exchange. So get ready with your questions and the good (and not so good) things you’d like to share with your peers.  

A reminder: philanthropic café is open to all. Each café can be taken à la carte! You can also attend all the meetings. But you’ll need to register for each one. 

This series of meetings took place in the fall of 2024 and is now over!

Inspired by Early bird chats, this series is aimed at people just starting out in fundraising. It’s a space for sharing and co-learning, with fundraising as the common thread.

Four meetings will address complementary angles, such as setting up an initial framework, identifying potential donors, approach strategies and so on. Themes will be refined according to the needs expressed by participants.

Nathalie Lévesque, a strategist specializing in organizational development and the deployment of marketing communications solutions, co-hosts this series.

The series is open: each café can be taken ”à la carte!” You can also attend all the meetings. However, you’ll need to register for each one.

The fundraising toolbox 
Tuesday january 28, 8:30 am to 10 am
For this first meeting, we’ll be talking about the fundraising toolbox: the essential documents you need to get off to a good start and be able to make decisions on a daily basis (e.g. a dashboard, an action plan, a recognition plan, a donation acceptance policy, etc.).

Donor identification and mapping
Tuesday, February 18, 8:30 am to 10 am
For this second meeting, we’ll be talking about tools for identifying and mapping potential donors.

Preventing and resolving conflicts: accompanying the mongoose and the snake
Wednesday, January 22, 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m., in person
Are you curious to discover a very simple psychological model that can shed light on many of your conflicts?

Not only will it enable you to see many relational tensions differently, it will also give you the key to freeing yourself from them.
You’ll also learn about ways to help the people around you (employees and others) ease their own relational tensions. 

Objectives : 
– Assess and develop your skills in preventing the emergence of organizational conflicts.
– Assess and develop your skills in resolving organizational conflicts.

Contents :
– Determinants of organizational conflict.
– The interdependence between individual and collective actions.
– The mediator’s posture and its applications.

A workshop by Dominique Morneau, organizational psychologist inc.

Demystifying government relations for NPOs
wednesday, february 5, 9:30 am to 11:30 am
The fulfillment of the mission and funding of non-profit organizations depend to a large extent on government and municipal policies, measures and programs. They also depend on the quality of the relationships an organization establishes with these government bodies. 

The J. Armand Bombardier Foundation, the Mirella and Lino Saputo Foundation and PourRallier.com have joined forces to bring you a series of activities designed to demystify government relations, featuring distinguished guests, case studies and relevant resources. 

The first activity consists of a virtual panel during which “exes” (an elected official, a political staffer, a civil servant) and an organization executive will discuss the dynamics of government relations. A look behind the scenes to better understand the interests of our government contacts. 
Following the panel, a list of existing resources will be presented by Karine Jehelmann, Espace Muni’s PourRallier project manager. 

This conversation will be moderated by François Lagarde. 

Panelists:
– Véronique Hivon, Expert in Residence, Maison des affaires publiques et internationales, Université de Montréal
– Jonathan Valois, Vice-President and Partner, Mongeau Pellerin et Co, a public relations firm
– Rosalie Readman, Partnership Advisor, Fondation Desjardins
– Nathalie Richard, Founder and Executive Director of L’Étoile de Pacho, a support network for parents of disabled children

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The 2nd activity will consist of an interactive workshop that will enable you to acquire knowledge and skills and apply tools to achieve your fundraising or influence objectives.
The format of this 2nd activity is one day in person (for people in the greater Montreal area) or 2 half-days virtual (for people further afield). 
Registration for the interactive workshops will be launched in February and March. 

Are you interested in artificial intelligence (AI)?
Several dates in February with virtual 1-hour workshops
This series of workshops resumes the programming interrupted in October 2024 of the forum on AI and NPOs.
Come and learn with us on this exploratory month dedicated to AI and NPOs (we will essentially be talking about generative AI). We want to find out how this new technology can enhance the capacities of our sector, so we’re offering talks and practical sessions, exploring case studies and thinking about the major ethical and strategic issues involved in integrating AI. 
You will leave with concrete ideas to implement within your organisation and food for thought to explore. 

This is an ‘à la carte’ format, where you will be able to choose the sessions you would like to attend. Please note that the languages of the sessions are clearly identified on the website. 

Ready to go? Click on the link to the web page to access the programme and guests, and sign up for your chosen activities.
This activity is a collaboration of the Morris and Rosalind Goodman Family Foundation, the Chamandy Foundation, the Councelling Foundation of Canada and Fondation J. Armand Bombardier.

Preventing and resolving conflicts: accompanying the mongoose and the snake
Tuesday, February 25, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., virtual
Are you curious to discover a very simple psychological model that can shed light on many of your conflicts?
Not only will it enable you to see many relational tensions differently, it will also give you the key to freeing yourself from them.

Objectives : 
– Assess and develop your skills in preventing the emergence of organizational conflicts.
– Assess and develop your skills in resolving organizational conflicts.

Contents :
– Determinants of organizational conflict.
– The interdependence between individual and collective actions.
– The mediator’s posture and its applications.

A workshop by Dominique Morneau, organizational psychologist inc.

You missed activities? Consult the documentation and reccording here (French only), when available.

Philanthropic Café in communications and marketing : The 3 keys to adapting your communication strategy to your needs – December 10, 2024 
It’s the last philanthropic café with our partner, Lauréline Manassero, founder of La Clique, we take you on a tour of three essential points to consider before implementing a communications strategy:

– Take stock of your current communications.
– Identify priority target audiences (the famous personas).
– Determine key indicators to assess the effectiveness of your communications on a regular basis.

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Compassionate satisfaction: antidote to compassion fatigue – December 6, 2024, in person
Compassion fatigue” has negative effects on the psychological well-being and quality of life of helping professionals. On the contrary, “compassion satisfaction” is the positive feeling of helping others and practicing one’s profession with empathy and benevolence.
Research shows that the practice of self-compassion helps caregivers to be more sensitive to their own suffering, and therefore more aware of their own needs and expectations. In addition, people with “true” self-awareness enjoy their lives and careers more.

How to appropriate these tools and cultivate them on a daily basis to maintain good compassionate satisfaction is the subject of this training course.

A workshop by Chantale Prévost, coordinator of personal and spiritual development at Centre St-Pierre.

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Philanthropic Café in communications and marketing : Social media – november 14, 2024
This time, we aim to demystify the world of social media in 1h30! We threw down the gauntlet to our long-time partner, digital marketing strategist Francis Jetté, who enthusiastically accepted the challenge.

Here’s the menu he suggests you savor:
– What is platform tik-tok?
– Advertising, really?
– What is the winning triangle?
– Create less, but create better. Is it possible?

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Link Strength: How to talk about your organization in a clear, concise and effective way? – October 9 in person, and November 12/December 3, 2024 virtual 
During this workshop, We’ll work on your organization’s contribution chart. You’ll learn about the criteria that guide the decisions of various funders (individual donors, municipalities, governments and foundations). Volunteer participants will be able to present their schema and argument in line with certain principles of effective communication, and benefit from feedback from other workshop participants.

A workshop by François Lagarde, communications and social marketing consultant.

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Philanthropic Café in communications and marketing : Digital communications – October 1, 2024
For this first café, we’ll be joined by our collaborator Lauréline Manassero, founder of La Clique and marketing communications strategist. We’ll spend 30 minutes on each of these topics:

– Website essentials: everything you should consider and include in a call for tenders for the creation or redesign of your website; 
– Web marketing essentials: SEO, statistics…;  
– The ever present newsletter: frequency, content, targets, etc. 

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Early bird chats – Executive directors : Professional engagement – September 18, 2024

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The art of structured discussion – May 23, 2024
Even experienced people realize that in group facilitation, they often act instinctively, and when a difficulty arises, they work without a net.The Structured Discussion concept offers a step-by-step process to help you clarify discussions and better understand the underlying dynamics.

Discover a structure that fosters clear thinking and dialogue, enables an in-depth approach to the topics discussed, and encourages a diversity of viewpoints.

A workshop led by Marie Houzeau, Executive Director of GRIS-Montréal, trainer and consultant.

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Organizational and sectoral taboos – May 2, 2024
A bilingual workshop in collaboration with the Morris and Rosalind Goodman Family Foundation and the Chamandy Foundation.
Taboo: forbidden to talk about out of fear, modesty or delicacy.  
In this next virtual and interactive workshop, we invite you to break down taboos and dare to broach sensitive subjects relating to our organizations and our sector. This will be an opportunity to name situations that can sometimes be frustrating, to deconstruct them and mobilize collective intelligence to find possible solutions.

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Preventing and resolving conflicts : accompanying the mongoose and the snake – April 9, 2024, face-to-face, and April 16, 2024, virtual
The content presented will first inform you about some of the factors responsible for the emergence and maintenance of organizational conflict. The content will also address means that will promote the prevention and resolution of organizational conflicts.

A workshop led by Dominique Morneau, organizational psychologist inc. 

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Philanthropic Café in fundraising : Frequently asked question –  April 3, 2024
And some suggestions and best practices for approaching a private funder.

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Laboratory on well-being – March 13, 2024
Well-being corresponds to a high level of satisfaction with one’s existence. It relates to the notion of happiness, emphasizes meaning and ultimately enables people to resist the negative demands of their environment. 

In a post-pandemic context where hybrid work has taken on a major role, the mental health of individuals is being put to the test. 
– How can we deal with complexity and uncertainty? 
– How can we rethink the collective rituals that foster organizational cohesion? 
– How can we find balance and let go? 

A wellness laboratory featuring experiential and reflective activities. 
A workshop by André Fortin and Sarah Libersan of the Maison de l’innovation sociale (MIS).

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Philanthropic Café in fundraising : How to talk to funders –  February 28, 2024

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Communicating : touching the ghost to make it disappear – February 14, 2024, face-to-face, and February 27, 2024, virtual
The content presented here will inform you about little-known, often strange, yet highly effective strategies in the workplace. There are indeed long-standing communication problems that can be alleviated by approaching your personal and professional relationships differently.

The content presented will also enable you to diagnose some of your preferred modes of communication and identify solutions to the communication problems you encounter.

A workshop led by Dominique Morneau, organizational psychologist inc. 

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Early bird chats – Executive directors : Mutualization – February 7, 2024

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Link Strength: How to talk about your organization in a clear, concise and effective way? – December 5, 2023 and January 30, 2024
During this workshop, We’ll work on your organization’s contribution chart. You’ll learn about the criteria that guide the decisions of various funders (individual donors, municipalities, governments and foundations). Volunteer participants will be able to present their schema and argument in line with certain principles of effective communication, and benefit from feedback from other workshop participants.

A workshop by François Lagarde, communications and social marketing consultant.

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Early bird chats – All audiences : Evaluation – November 28, 2023

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Philanthropic Café in fundraising : Identify and map donors – November 22, 2023
Tools for identifying and mapping potential donors.

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Philanthropic Café in fundraising : The fundraising toolbox – October 4, 2023
The essential documents you need to get off to a good start and be able to make day-to-day decisions (e.g. a recognition plan, a donation acceptance policy, etc.).

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Early bird chats – All audiences : Cybersecurity – September 27, 2023

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Early bird chats – Executive directors : Say no! – May 17, 2023

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Knowledge transfer: preserve your organization’s memory! – May 10, 2023
In collaboration with the CSMO-ÉSAC, we invite you to take the time to reflect on your knowledge transfer practices. A challenge that affects most organizations in our field! 

The social economy and community action sector is not immune to staff turnover. This situation is not without consequences for organizations that are called upon to juggle these departures and, with them, the possible loss of unique, innovative know-how specific to the sector. Knowledge transfer planning can save you a lot of headaches! 

A practical and reflective guide to implementing a knowledge transfer process for managers and key employees has been developed. The training is based on the tools in this guide.

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Influencing – breaking the shell and unleashing the fairy – April 4, 2023 in person, and April 11, 2023 virtual
Are you curious to see influence from a different angle?
The content presented will allow you to be informed and to practice communication strategies that will promote influence with individuals and work teams, without having to spend too much time on it and without provoking resistance.

The strategies taught will also promote the mobilization and empowerment of individuals and work teams. 

Two other “S&P” sessions, sweet and productive, led by Dominique Morneau, organizational psychologist.

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Finding well-being at work – drawing water from the well – March 14, 2023, in person
Curious about a different approach to wellness at work?
Three years after the beginning of the pandemic, here is an invitation to get back to “flesh and blood” activities! And what better way to reunite than to reflect together on the organizational and individual variables that help cultivate well-being at work.

The proposed strategies will allow us to identify and avoid the pitfalls that will arise as we move forward on the path of organizational commitment and well-being.

A “S&P” day, sweet and productive, led by Dominique Morneau, organizational psychologist.

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Early bird chats – Executive directors : The optimal management of your time – February 14, 2023

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How to improve your communication strategy? – january 31 and february 1 st
It is essential to think about your communication strategy to help you save time and be more effective in achieving your objectives. 
Come and discover how to identify the tactics adapted to your resources and target audiences among all the existing tools, as well as tips for planning and implementing a communication campaign.

This workshop is intended for people who are new to a communications position or who are responsible for certain tasks related to communications.
It aims to remind participants of the fundamental principles of communication, as applied to the NPO sector. In parallel to the presentation, participants will be invited to start planning their own campaign by following key steps. 

This interactive workshop is facilitated by Lauréline Manassero, founder of La Clique.

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Early bird chats – Executive directors : Applied Benevolent Leadership – January 26 and March 8, 2023

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How to attract, recruit and retain employees? – December 14, 2022
The challenge of the labour shortage is more present than ever within organizations! 
The CSMO-ÉSAC’s national survey “Les Repères 2018” reveals that 40% of organizations have encountered difficulties in filling a position and 44% of managers say they are concerned about the issue of succession. 

Offered for the first time as part of Philagora in 2021, this workshop designed by the CSMO-ÉSAC is intended as an introduction to HR marketing, an approach aimed at implementing strategies related to attracting succession and retaining employees.

Objectives :
– Provide an overview of the different concepts of employer branding;
– Be aware of the different HR marketing elements relevant to your organization;
– Reflect on one’s practices by exchanging with peers.

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Reinventing your organizational culture in troubled times (bilingual) – December 8, 2022 
The last few years have brought about major changes in the way we socialize, in both personal and professional spheres. The connections that allow us to create a strong and shared organizational culture have been challenged. Yet, we know that organizational culture is a powerful tool that influences most aspects of an organization, both internally and externally, such as employee well-being and stakeholder relations. 

What cracks have appeared in your organizational culture and how can you repair them? 
This workshop will allow non-profit professionals to reflect on different issues experienced by organizations and will rely on their collective knowledge to look for solutions. Teams will be created to explore one of the following two topics :

– Are innovation and risk-taking compatible with work from home and global chaos?
– How to manage the demands of a diverse team, in particular when different generations work together?

A collaboration between the J. Armand Bombardier Foundation, the Morris and Rosalind Goodman Family Foundation and the Chamandy Foundation. 

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Early bird chats – All audiences : Bill 25, what consequences for NPOs? – November 24, 2022

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Youth and Philanthropy – November 17, 2022
As part of Philagora’s 10th anniversary, the Foundation gave volunteer organizations carte blanche to come up with a capacity building activity. 

The theme that was agreed upon: youth and philanthropy:
– Who are the donors of tomorrow?
– What are their expectations?
– What types of engagement motivate and inspire youth?

This activity will take the form of a panel discussion with young philanthropists and a seasoned fundraiser. A networking session will follow.

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Link Strength: How to talk about your organization in a clear, concise and effective way? –
November 3 and 29, 2022
In this workshop, we will work on your organization’s contribution map. Like its cousins, the logic model and theory of change, this tool will help you make your vision/action clear and engaging and communicate it effectively.  

Objectives:  
– Synthesize the strategic directions of your organization. 
– Clarify the different types of impact of your organization’s actions. 
– Reflect on its place in the ecosystem and its role in resolving the issue. 
– Write a one-page presentation.
– Identify obstacles in the use of this tool and possible solutions. 

A workshop by François Lagarde, Consultant in communication and social marketing.

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New to fundraising : I’m going for it! – October 13, 2022
An overview of best practices in fundraising for non-profit organizations.
This workshop given by Daniel Lanteigne, Senior Consultant, BNP Performance Philanthropique, is intended for people who are new to the sector or who are taking over the development department at the last minute.
How to integrate a philanthropic culture, build a good relationship with donors and understand the dynamics of fundraising?

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Early bird chats – Executive directors : Are employer expectations changing? – October 5, 2022

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Sustainable Philanthropic Partnerships – September 29, 2022
Three funders and three of their partners join forces to present the characteristics of their partnerships, from the very beginning of the relationship to the present day.
How do you build trust to enable both partner organizations to fulfill their respective missions?

This 2-hour conversation is an initiative of Philagora, in close collaboration with :

• Danielle Filion of Mission Inclusion and her accomplice, Colombe Marcoux, Vigil’Ange.
• Lise Roche of the Mirela & Lino Saputo Foundation and her accomplice Annie Lachance, Collectif régional de développement du Bas St-Laurent.
• Jean-Charles Fortin, Sur la Pointe des pieds, long-time accomplice of the J. Armand Bombardier Foundation, represented by Ode Belzile.Early bird chats – Executive directors