How to Conduct Your Own Member Survey

Your organization's leadership supports your plan to survey members; regrettably your financial position does not allow you to pay an expert consultant to help you. This article provides ideas for you to consider as you set out to conduct your...

The Struggle for Shelter: Canada’s affordable housing crisis

"The goal of a Canadian Housing Framework is simple, yet fundamental: to ensure that all Canadians, regardless of circumstance, have a safe, affordable place to call home."          - The Honourable Joe Fontana, Minister of Labour and Housing, 2005 In...

Branding Change

If we think about some of the most cherished friendships in our lives, we discover that much of their resiliency emanates from their consistent ability to embrace change. They provide us with growth because of their openness to change, and...

Look into the future and find your brand

Developing a brand for your organization is about finding the essence of the story of who you want to be. Brand development is a future-looking exercise at its very core. It is informed by our past and shaped by where...

Netiquette with reporters – sending news releases and contacting the press online

Efficient Distribution or Spam - ask first! By printing e-mail addresses alongside their bylines, many journalists are encouraging their readers to use the Internet to take part in the news. Many online news sources hosts chats with journalists, post reader...

Stakeholder consultations

Two years ago, I was involved in a three-day multi-stakeholder consultation that gathered veterinarians, slaughterhouse operators, meat processors, farm representatives, regulators, research scientists, and animal welfare activists. The goal was to develop a code for the humane handling of farm...

Brands as people-centred dialogues

Do you remember the last time you heard a good story from someone, read a good book, viewed a documentary, or listened to a panel discussion? Do you remember how many times you passed that good story on to others?...

The power of a good brand story for nonprofits

It seems that no matter where you turn these days, there are articles, seminars, and general discussions about "branding". Nonprofit communications, fundraising, and marketing staff, volunteers and board members are all wrestling with what branding means for them. In its...