When we created the Centre for Social Innovation, one of the driving forces behind it was the instinctive desire to build connections. There was a sense that if we could only just get the social mission sector connecting with each other that they would start to build a deeper knowledge of how our issues are integral to each other. We imagined communities of practice emerging and we dreamt of actually seeing groups working together to move their issues forward. We dreamt of cross-sectoral movement building. Ahh… what a dream
Last week we learned that funding has been secured from the Law Society of Ontario to support the work of the Ontario Nonprofit Network. There have been several attempts to build a body of nonprofits in
The Ontario Nonprofit Network (ONN) is envisioned (and I mean really envisioned, ‘cause at the moment it is only in the minds of a few folks) as a loose network of networks – a cascading communications system where information is shared between our sectoral mailing lists – as a way to respond to cross sectoral issues. We see ONN as being driven by the energy and the interests of the network itself. We see constellations emerging in response to issues which affect us. We see building the loose connections through ‘light’ process with an eye to creating the conditions for emergence. Which is all to say, we are hoping that we can build the social capital across sectors, avoid the heavy process and representation and focus on what we need to do together. Piece of cake ! : )
Our first constellation, if you will, is the formation of an expert reference group to respond to the Ontario Government’s Nonprofit Legal Framework Modernization process (check out my next blog), but we are also seeing a constellation forming around the social economy (check out CSI’s thought piece on constellations if you are keen on governance ideas). Perhaps a group will form around raising the profile of the nonprofit sector in
More information about your Ontario Nonprofit Network of Networks will be coming soon, but I thought that I had better share the news that this is the works. This is a completely open network and if you are keen to get your network or organization involved, we would love to have you.
New AIDS neccessities
I have been an AIDS warrior for 26 years, but have taken a break to get some of my original short stories published and write my first book (at 49!) I have contacted major AIDS agencies about working my ideas into THEIR NON-PROFIT world but none are interested. I have never subscribed to the aura of "Toronto has the coldest people in the world" but Brrrrr! So I am going to form my own non-profit called "Diamond Ops" and my first endeavour will be the biggest. In both Montreal and Vancouver they have private day centres or a clubhouse for HIV persons. Much like the ideas of social innovation, it will be a comfortable, airy place to play games, hopefully a bank of computers with internet access and a kitchenarea wear helthy snacks of raw vegetables and dip will be stored and served from plus a stove wear each member will take a turn daily to cook up say a batch of lasagna especially for the ones who spent their meager gov. stipends of disability and have no food in their home. The space currently has my name,since its friendly and inviting enough "NICKY'S PLACE". Also we will run support groups in an adjoining room, not like the ones I've been to where the facilitator sits there and says nothing, giving no direction or keeping track of feedback, say on large easeled paper. As well these sessions wilol be innovative in that I will divide them by groups of 5 years of age eg: 15-20, 21-25, 26-30 etc. so there is a similar point of reference that each group will begin with in it's favor. Issues w3ill vary as well, in that there is a terrible widespread atttitude of young gay boys/men coming out calling themselves "post-gay" with the credo that AIDS belongs to the older previous generation and even if they get it, t's just like diabetes. WRONG. If you are HIV you will die. Survival such as mine (I've buried everyman I ever knew) is the abberation in this equation. In any case the third part to the story here will be written by all members entitled BOYS WILL BE MEN, it will be as vast a collection of interview/stories about how boys become men, particularly how environment affects who they are to become. For instance I was the last, late born son of parents who divorced, I lived with a single parent(1) Ishared an middle clas apartment with my mother(2) My mother was a professional insurance adjuster who had the body of NIcole Kidman and wore satin, silky mini dresses and heels with flaming Rita Heyworth hair.(THE PTA always had jaws dropping open when she came in) She only dated serious professional men forming years long relationships with them, swearing never to remarry but the number of men who tried to befriend ME in order to get in good with her was ridiculous. That sort of thing. It shapes who you become. There will be more projects of a binding nature for the members. oh, and I hope to have a fully stocked Art corner too. Its a fuck of a lot of work but if you saw my resume their would be no doubt that as soon as my book is almost finished lives will be shifting. Meanwile I'm a member of the Center For Social Innovation and love love love what's happpening within its or because of its walls. I can't wait to be "there" more with my non-profit in place, but even this is taking away from the strictness of my writing time. Meanwhile, see you at a seminar! C.N.N.
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