The Table - A Publication for Nonprofit Boards of Directors

December 2021

Issue 1

the table

In this Issue: Your SARC Board at Work In Focus: July 2021 – November 2021

A Publication for Boards of Directors

Know Your SARC Board

Spotlight on SARC Board President, Dawn Desautels

Collective Voice Join SARC and SARC’s Board of Directors as we provide updates on strategic initiatives, Board decisions, governance resources, and more.

Advocacy Updates

Resource Review Adapting for Non-profit Trends

YOUR SARC BOARD AT WORK In Focus: July 2021 – November 2021

Advocacy Committee and Subcommittees Established Based on the June 2021 Advocacy Survey results, The SARC Board struck an Advocacy Committee to oversee work resulting from the survey responses’ identified priorities. Three subcommittees were established to focus in particular areas:

Job Evaluation and Compensation Subcommittee: Salary and benefits for employees working in the disability service sector Position classification, benchmark job descriptions, education standards and funding standards.

Workforce Development and Promotion Subcommittee: Marketing the sector as a career of choice to increase awareness and recognition Recruitment strategies Develop workforce strategies aimed at further promoting and supporting inclusive practices and diversity

Policy and Standards Subcommittee: Non-salary funding standards and assessment standards (DLSA, DPSA, Complex Needs) Ministry Policies

Thank you to all Members that have helped inform this important work. Additional advocacy updates can be found in the Collective Voice section of this publication.

September 30th National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Recognized as a Day of Observation Upholding and demonstrating inclusion and diversity remain core values for SARC. As SARC continues to search out ways that we can create safe and respectful spaces for all employees, stakeholders and customers to visit, the SARC Board validated this position by formally recognizing closure on September 30th through policy.

This action is one of many aimed at creating an environment that fosters reconciliation, and the day serves as an opportunity for each of us to learn more, affirm the need for reconciliation, and reflect on how we can support the work ahead.

Approval of Land Purchase in Saskatoon As part of our investment strategy, SARC has purchased land in North Saskatoon. This location will become host to a new facility that will be a relocation of the existing Saskatoon North SARCAN depot and will replace the depot that is currently located at 2327 Faithfull Avenue. Construction will begin in early 2022 with an estimated opening date in spring 2023.

Demonstrating Commitment to Quality Assurance The SARC Board approved the resources and time required to attain Level Three Accreditation through Imagine Canada’s Standards Program for Canadian Charities and Nonprofits. In addition, the SARC Board established an Accreditation Oversight Committee to oversee this work that is currently underway.The committee will have ongoing responsibility in ensuring annual Accreditation Standards are achieved and maintained.

Refreshing Efforts to Engage with SARC Member Boards Boards of Directors at SARC Member organizations are busy, and we also recognize that over the last number of years organizations have encountered a number of unanticipated events that have changed the way all of us communicate and how we connect with people.

The SARC Board is currently reviewing the way it communicates with and engages Member Boards. This publication is one way that the SARC Board hopes to provide relevant information and updates.

Your 2021/22 SARC Board Members Dawn Desautels – President

South West Region Regular Board Representative

Cypress Hills Ability Centres, Inc. Shaunavon

Jim Morrison vice president

north east region regular board representative

plus industries inc. melfort

Yvonne Nyholt – Secretary

North Region Associate Board Representative

Battlefords Residential Services, Inc. North Battleford

Lionel Prefontaine

Treasurer

External Appointment

Bill Powalinsky

North Region Regular Manager Representative

Community Service Centre / Pine Industries Prince Albert

Unita Esau

North Region Regular Board Representative

Multiworks Corporation Meadow Lake

Stefan Thomas

North Region Associate Manager Representative

Christian Horizons Waldheim

Donald Salie

North West Region Regular Board Representative

Battlefords Trade & Education Centre Inc. North Battleford

Marnie Watkin-Pawelko

South Region Associate Board Representative

Regina Residential Resource Centre Regina

Rosa Smith

South Region Associate Manager Representative

Clare Parker Homes Regina

The SARC Board currently has vacancies and will be calling for nominations in the near future. Please watch for these exciting opportunities - we’d love to have you join us!

know your sarc board We sat down with SARC Board President, Dawn Desautels, to talk about family, work, volunteering, and more. Read on to learn a bit about Dawn.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I have lived and farmed (with husband Ray) near Shaunavon for the past 40+ years, actively participating in all aspects of our farming operation. We have 3 adult children, 5 granddaughters, and 2 grandsons. Our family is a strong unit in spite of the fact that we are spread across two provinces and one state.

What are some things that people may not know about your hometown?

Shaunavon is Hayley Wickenheiser’s childhood home and near the beautiful Cypress Hills and just north of the Whitemud valley where “Scotty the T-Rex” was discovered. Shaunavon is also home to the renowned Harvest Eatery.

became interested in contributing to the development of person-centred services for all, and I was first elected to the SARC Board in 1995.

Over the years, I have seen SARC grow and evolve as a Membership Association and a thriving province-wide recycling business. I am proud to have played a small role in that growth and to this day I continue to be inspired and motivated

by SARC’s leadership and influence in defining a standard of excellence in all areas of governance and service delivery in the disability service sector.

If you could choose one superhuman ability, what would it be? How would you apply this super power to enact change in the sector or for people experiencing disability?

I wish I had the ability to enable everyone to experience a day in the life of a person experiencing disability. I believe it would erase stigma and result in supports that would be respectful and person-centred in an environment of equality and acceptance.

In addition to farming, you worked for Statistics Canada. Can you tell us a bit about that?

My career with Statistics Canada was from 1983 – 2016, managing data collection for household surveys and the Census primarily in Nunavut, NWT, and the Yukon. Through my work, I travelled to many remote northern communities and felt privileged to meet and interact with Indigenous Peoples in the far north.

How do you spend your free time?

I love curling, skiing, and travelling, and I have been a volunteer in the disability service sector since 1985.

How did you initially get involved with the SARC Board, and what do you find motivating about volunteering?

Initially, I became involved because my son is a client in the service delivery sector. I soon

Dawn Desautels

SARC Board President Shaunavon, SK

COLLECTIVE VOICE One of SARC’s areas of service for our Members is advocacy. Here is a look at some important work and Membership discussions over this past year as well as where we are headed.

MLA MEETINGS

SPRING REGIONAL MEETINGS Shared that low Regular and Associate Member participation rates in our annual HR Strategy advocacy/meeting with their MLAs had prompted a review of our Association’s Advocacy

Discussed our need to gain an understanding of how important advocacy was to the Membership, whether we were advocating for the right things, and how we could increase participation

2 0 1 8

-

28%

of Members (21 Members)

2 0 1 9

-

27% 2 0 2 0

15%

2 0 1 9

2 0 2 0

of Members (20 Members)

-

2 0 2 1

of Members (11 Members)

JUNE 2021 ADVOCACY SURVEY: Issued to SARC Regular and Associate Members

79 97%

Responses from Board Members, Executive Directors, and Senior Staff

of respondents indicated that it was Very Important or Important to have SARC advocating for/on global issues facing CBOs operating in the Disability Service sector

PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS INDICATING AS VERY IMPORTANT OR IMPORTANT Staff Compensation & Benefits Marketing Sector as Career of Choice Assessment Processes & Funding Standards (ex. DPSA, DLSA) Non-Salary Funding Standards 0%

25%

50%

75%

100%

“Our ability to speak with a common voice to decision-makers is essential to our ability to move the needle on those issues of importance for our sector.”

– Survey Respondent

FALL 2021 ESTABLISHMENT OF SARC BOARD ADVOCACY COMMITTEE AND SUBCOMMITTEES SARC Board reviewed survey results and struck an Advocacy Committee to identify high-priority issues and oversee the work of establishing outcomes and strategies in these areas Three subcommittees were struck with representatives from SARC and Members who expressed interest via the June 2021 Advocacy Survey in participating in future work; these subcommittees will focus on the priority areas from the Advocacy Survey

JOB EVALUATION AND COMPENSATION WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION POLICY AND STANDARDS

NOVEMBER 23, 2021 – MEMBER ADVOCACY VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLE SESSION Reviewed advocacy work throughout 2021 Discussed issues relevant to each of the three subcommittees Previewed the 2021 Advocacy Member Toolkit and MLA Information Package - see below for more details!

DECEMBER 2021 - SUBCOMMITTEE WORKS GETS UNDERWAY TO: Establish priorities based on Advocacy Survey results and Roundtable Session discussions Develop work plans

PROGRESS UPDATES Updates could include Calls to Action/requests for data from Members Formal update at April 2022 Regional Meetings

FOR OUR ADVOCACY EFFORTS TO WORK WELL, THE ASSOCIATION NEEDS: A COORDINATED APPROACH AND UNIFIED VOICE THE DESIRE AND WILL TO IMPACT LEGISLATIVE OR POLICY CHANGES STRATEGIES AND RESOURCES INFORMED THROUGH THE SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE OF SARC MEMBERS A COMMITMENT TO WORK TOGETHER SOLUTIONS

HR STRATEGY ADVOCACY CONTINUES WHILE THE WORK OF THESE NEW SUBCOMMITTEES GETS UNDERWAY, OUR MEMBERSHIP’S EFFORTS RELATED TO OUR HR STRATEGY TO IMPROVE SALARIES AND BENEFITS IN THE SECTOR CONTINUES. Toolkits were reviewed at the Member Advocacy Virtual Roundtable Session, emailed to Executive Directors and Board Chairs on November 24, and mailed to organizations on November 29: Member Advocacy Toolkit - This is an internal document for your organization's reference MLA Information Package - This document is to be shared with your MLA, as it contains the key messages related to the strategy

MEMBER ENGAGEMENT IN THIS ADVOCACY STRATEGY IS IMPORTANT IN ANY YEAR, BUT IN THIS PARTICULAR YEAR IT IS EVEN MORE SO AS OUR PATH IS AT A CRUCIAL POINT: COVID-19 has created many additional pressures on CBOs from a staffing standpoint Whether COVID related or otherwise, CBOs are reporting higher levels of staff vacancies than usual and a harder time filling positions While our sector is struggling to recruit and retain employees, we see new federal and provincial government commitments to the Health sector aimed at helping to improve recruitment and increase wages What has been tough for us now is about to get tougher – we need government to see this critical point and respond for our sector as well

SARC IS ASKING ALL REGULAR AND ASSOCIATE MEMBERS TO: Meet with their MLA by midFebruary 2022 Notify Melanie Weiss at mweiss@sarcan.sk.ca about their meeting so that SARC can track activity across the province PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT SARC IF YOUR ORGANIZATION NEEDS ANY ASSISTANCE OR SUPPORT RELATED TO YOUR MEETING. Change happens when decisionmakers have a clear (and consistent) awareness of the issues.

When decision-makers understand the issues and the impact they have, the more likely they are to participate in and support the desired change.

Although SARC plays a large role in advocacy, we cannot tell your story.

adapting for nonprofit trends

by Desiree Tirk

O

ur world has changed since the beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic, forcing the nonprofit sector to respond, pivot, and adapt to change at a rapid pace. In addition to the changes resulting from COVID-19, Boards of Directors are recognizing there are new trends emerging in our communities that require Boards to have different conversations to be better positioned for the continued changes into the future. Conversations around the growing need for more advanced technology, delivering on increasing funder requirements, generational differences changing workforce attitudes and values, and economic shifts suggesting that organizations will require more partnerships and collaborations in the future.

Your Board may be asking, “Are there ways that our organization could adapt to better accomplish our mission and thrive in this environment?” According to the report, Trends and Forces Reshaping Nonprofit Organizations, by Ignite NPS, there are four broad concerns that nonprofit Boards of Directors and Executive Directors can consider as they continue to move forward: 1. Mission Effectiveness 2. Leadership Approaches and Workforce Expectations 3. Networked and Collaborative Action 4. Deeper and Broader Engagement

Mission Effectiveness: Developing, reviewing, and communicating the mission of an organization is one of the primary responsibilities of a Board of Directors and is key in being able to strategically lead an organization. After all, the organization’s mission answers the question, “Why do we exist, what is our purpose?” and is the foundation for everything an organization does. Mission effectiveness speaks to the impact that the organization’s mission has on the community it serves.

Growing trends indicate that funders and donors are increasingly requiring evidence of mission effectiveness, which will require organizations to look for opportunities to innovate, position overhead costs as critical to the mission, and measure the impact of their services. For more information on not-for-profit program evaluation, visit Board oversight of not-for-profit program evaluation: Questions for directors to ask (cpacanada.ca) for a free downloadable copy.

Leadership Approaches and Workforce Expectations – the report states: “Advancement in technology, changing demographics and intensified competition are shifting workplace values and expectations, leadership models, the ways staff participate and how work gets done in nonprofit organizations.” The report also cites the following as factors in succeeding in this changing climate:

•

• • •

Having a positive workplace culture with diverse perspectives to support problemsolving, strategic decision-making, and innovation Attracting, supporting, engaging, and retaining talent Supporting a flexible work environment and using technology for increased effectiveness and efficiency Recruiting the right leadership competencies and having Board and management succession plans in place

Networked and Collaborative Action – organizations need to collaborate and work together to make significant impacts as societal issues of today cannot be solved by a single department, organization, or sector. Are there opportunities for new partnerships and collaborations that your organization can explore to make future impact? For more information, visit Collaboration Coach.

Deeper and Broader Engagement – organizations need to adapt new strategies that create deeper and broader engagement with stakeholders that: •

Navigate through the complex marketplace – today, there are nonprofits running businesses and corporations advancing their social agendas, blurring the lines between the nonprofit and profit sectors. Are there crosssector partnerships that your organizations could explore or expand?

•

Create authentic conversations – organizations that have a shared understanding of the mission, vision, and strategic goals can utilize their Board Directors and staff as ambassadors, advocates, and connectors to create authentic conversations within the community about the great work the organization does.

•

Tap into the passion for causes – today’s volunteers and donors are using personal and professional networks through social media and crowdsourcing platforms to generate cash flow and to share their passion for a cause or issue they care about. How can your organization use your website and social media to engage the community, promote your organization, highlight your successes, and generate donations?

•

Provide flexible and customized options – traditional models of fundraising is changing;

today’s donors want a say in what they support and how they go about making that a reality. Volunteers want more options to donate their time in-person, virtually, or for a short-term commitment. While COVID-19 changed how people donate, volunteer, or take part in activities and training, how will your organization continue to provide flexible and customized options for your community?

The report goes into much greater detail than what we have summarized here, and while perhaps not all its findings may be considered relevant to the circumstances of your organization, there are likely some areas that could warrant additional conversation between your Board and senior leadership team.

SARC offers a variety of training opportunities, resources, and templates to support your Board as your organization continues to respond, pivot, and adapt to change. Visit the Board Resource Area on SARC Learning Central or contact SARC for additional information.

About Desiree Spending the past 25 years working in community development in the nonprofit and government sectors, Desiree brings a variety of experience with developing and facilitating workshops and has held positions as Program Manager, Facilitator, and Trainer. Desiree has over 20 years’ experience as co-owner of a business and holds a Bachelor of Indian Social Work and Bachelor of Arts in Native Studies.

To connect with Desiree Tirk about your Board’s resource needs, email her at dtirk@sarcan.sk.ca.

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