A Gathering of Counterparts

• Overview
• 2009 Gathering of Counterparts
• 2008 Gathering of Counterparts
• 2008 Highlight Report and Apendicies
• 2008 Additional Resources

After the overwhelming success of the 2008 Gathering of Counterparts, organizers have decided to make the conference an annual event.

Interest in strengthening relationships between governments and the non-profit and

voluntary sector has resurfaced in several Canadian provinces and territories over the past few years. Leadership organizations; chambers, networks, and councils, in the non-profit/voluntary sector have been gaining momentum as they build connections, cohesion, and capacity within the sector. Government departments, units, and branches, have broadened their scope from volunteer recognition to recognizing the contributions that voluntary organizations make to society. With each sector coming to the table possessing renewed energy and a clearer focus, there is even greater will to work collaboratively and to leverage their collective capacity to build resilient communities.

The on-going purpose of the Gather of Counterparts is to facilitate learning and the sharing of experiences, research, and resources, across governments, across the non-profit/voluntary sector and between the two. While the development in each province or territory is different, in terms of stage, scope, history, and resources available, there has been a common interest in exploring the following themes:

• Conditions, Challenges, Barriers and Success Factors for non-profit/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 non-profit/voluntary sector, including networks, chambers, coalitions, federations and councils
• Engagement Strategies to involve the broader non-profit/voluntary sector and to involve policy makers and senior officials, across government departments

Each year, the conference has been hosted by different organizations in a different part of the country. Representatives on behalf of provincial and territorial governments as well as non-profit and voluntary sector leaders are invited to participate in a two-day event covering round-table discussions, resource sharing, presentations, strategy sessions and much more. Now is the time for change, as voices on both sides articulate not just a need for cooperation, but a willingness to cooperate.

The second annual Gathering of Counterparts, which took place in Halifax, February 9-10, 2009 was jointly sponsored by the Governments of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, in collaboration with the Federation of Community Organizations of Halifax and region and the Volunteer Centre of Southeastern New Brunswick. Building on the foundation of the first event, the theme was: Building Sustainable Relationships between Provincial/Territorial Governments and the Non-Profit/Voluntary Sector. Participants explored subjects including the capacity to engage, strategies to broaden the engagement, and promotion of the value of a collaborative relationship.

Please see the Summary Report below (PDF) for more information on the 2009 Gathering of Counterparts. It contains an Updated Pan-Canadian Snapshot on the Non-Profit and Voluntary Sector, including up-to-date information on all the initiatives and measures referred to in its 2008 predecessor and much more. It also includes a summary of all sessions, seminars and components that occurred during the Gathering of Counterparts 2009.

More documents pertaining to the event will be added as they become available, so be sure to check back soon.

The Alberta Non-Profit and Voluntary Sector Initiative and the Canadian Federation of Voluntary Sector Networks co-hosted the first annual 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 nearly 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].

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].

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