A Gathering of Counterparts

• Overview
• Highlight Report and Apendicies
• Additional Resources

The Alberta Non-Profit and Voluntary Sector Initiative and the Canadian Federation of Voluntary Sector Networks co-hosted A Gathering of Counterparts: Strengthening the Relationships between the Non-Profit/Voluntary Sector and Governments, which was held February 6-7, 2008, in Calgary. The event was attended by forty people, from the public and voluntary sector, from ten Canadian jurisdictions, who were actively working on initiatives to strengthen these relationships in their provinces and territories.[Appendix A]

Interest in forging links between provincial/territorial governments and the nonprofit/voluntary sector had been gaining momentum, over the past year. The purpose of this gathering was to facilitate learning and the sharing of experiences, research, and resources, across governments, across the nonprofit/ voluntary sector and between the two. While the development in each province or territory is different, in terms of their stage, scope, history, and resources available, there was a common interest in exploring the following themes:

• Conditions, Challenges, Barriers and Success Factors for nonprofit/voluntary sector-government relationships to thrive in a mutually beneficial way
• Framework Agreements, policies, declarations, and accords that articulate the values and principles of the relationship and the complementary role each plays in building community
• Joint Mechanisms for implementing and monitoring these agreements and relationships
• Leadership and Umbrella Organizations within the nonprofit/voluntary sector, including networks, chambers, coalitions, federations and councils
• Engagement Strategies to involve the broader nonprofit/voluntary sector and to involve policy makers and senior officials, across government departments

The event began on Wednesday evening, February 6th with a reception and key note address by Jon Pratt, Executive Director of the Minnesota Council of Non-Profits. Participants brought reports and other material for the sharing table and had the opportunity to network with one another, in an informal setting.. February 7th was a full day of sharing information and experiences through presentations, round table discussions, and plenary sessions, concluding at 4:00 in the afternoon. [Appendix 2] The day began with round table introductions where pairs of government and nonprofit/voluntary sector participants from each province and territory briefly described the initiatives and activities that have taken place in their jurisdictions.

A background paper was developed to provide an overview of the evolving relationships between governments and the non-profit and voluntary sector including an analysis of key features, challenges, and success factors. It also included a snapshot of the developments in Canadian jurisdictions as well as abroad. [Appendix F] Susan Carter provided highlights of this paper and Neil Bradford provided a stimulating overview of the broader context of place-based decision-making and community engagement.

In addition to the round table introductions, we had a more in-depth presentation by the counterparts from Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, and Alberta. While the majority of time was spent together as a group or in small discussions at mixed tables, space was also given for government participants and nonprofit and voluntary sector participants to meet separately and to discuss their unique challenges and perceptions.

The event was co-chaired by Glen Werner, Executive Director of the Alberta Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Initiative and Paula Speevak Sladowski, Convener of the Canadian Federation of Voluntary Sector Networks.