Advocacy & Awareness

ADVOCACY 

Pillar Nonprofit Network Public Policy Priorities 2019-2020

The following represents Pillar Nonprofit Network’s current focus in terms of proactive policy advocacy.

Our Board and Executive Director set public policy direction and priority areas. Our key policy priorities are sector-focused rather than issues-focused, and there will be occasions when other sector-focused priorities emerge.

L O C A L

Pillar Nonprofit Network (Pillar) provides a leadership role on sector-focused municipal public policy.

Diversity & Inclusion
Area of Focus: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Our Director of Diversity & Governance, Dharshi Lacey sits on the London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership - Inclusion and Civic Engagement Sub-Council.

Our Director of Diversity & Governance, Dharshi Lacey sits on the following committees:

• Applied to be on Diversity & Inclusion Implementation Strategy group
• Member, Age Friendly London - Respect and Social Inclusion Task Force
• Planning Committee - Life as a Refugee Conference
• Steering Committee - Network for an Inclusive Community

Economic Development and Inclusive Innovation
Areas of Focus: Social Enterprise & Social Finance, Cross-Sector Collaboration

Our Executive Director sits on the Economic Road Map Action Group #1.
Our Manager, Social Enterprise, Julie Forrester is part of the Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Coffee Meetings and #LondonCan committee.

Social Enterprise Procurement
Area of Focus: Social Enterprise & Social Finance

Our Director of Social Innovation, Andre Vashist is monitoring the options for community benefits agreements and social procurement with the City of London.

Municipal City Council
Areas of Focus: Nonprofits, Cross-Sector Collaboration

Our Executive Director, Michelle Baldwin and Interim Executive Director, Lore Wainwright along with Pillar board members meet with City Council members and the Mayor about the nonprofit sector and social enterprises as both economic and social drivers.

The new City of London strategic plan consultation was hosted at Innovation Works for feedback from co-tenants, members and community members.

London and Area Association for Volunteer Administration
Area of Focus: Volunteerism
Pillar is a member of the London and Areas Association of Volunteer Administration (LAVA), our Network & Support Services Coordinator, Mitra Cameron is a member and the Secretary for LAVA. LAVA has a mandate to influence public policy related to volunteerism. Learn more about LAVA.

P R O V I N C I A L

Ontario Nonprofit Network
Area of Focus: Nonprofits, Social Enterprise & Social Finance

Pillar is a member and contributes in public policy advocacy with Ontario Nonprofit Network (ONN). Currently, Pillar’s Executive Director, Michelle Baldwin is the Vice Chair of ONN and is the incoming Chair. Review ONN’s public policy priorities for 2018-2019

Ontario Social Economy Roundtable
Area of Focus: Social Enterprise & Social Finance

Pillar contributes and participates in public policy advocacy with Ontario Social Economy Roundtable (OSER) with a focus on social enterprises. Currently, the Director of Social Innovation, Andre Vashist is on the OSER Committee. Review the framework and charter for OSER.

Social Enterprise Impact Measurement – Ontario Government
Area of Focus: Social Enterprise & Social Finance

Our Director of Social Innovation, Andre Vashist is the lead from Pillar for the Common Approach to Impact Measurement project.

Our Director of Social Innovation, Andre Vashist was a member of this committee for Ontario Social Enterprise Impact Measurement project. Learn More.

Ontario Social Enterprise Network
Area of Focus: Social Enterprise

Director of Social Innovation, Andre Vashist is a member of a collaborative between regional hubs, including Centre for Social Innovation (Central), Impact Hub Ottawa (Eastern), Nordik Institute (Northern), with Pillar representing Southwestern. This collaborative is supporting the development of social enterprise knowledge, support services and networks.

Ontario Volunteer Centre Network
Area of Focus: Volunteerism

Pillar is a member of the Ontario Volunteer Centre Network, which has a mandate to influence public policy related to Volunteer Centres and volunteerism. Our Program & Event Manager at Pillar is our liaison with OVCN. Learn more.

N A T I O N A L

Imagine Canada
Area of Focus: Nonprofits

Pillar is a member of Imagine Canada, which is engaged in federal and pan-Canadian public policy. Currently, Pillar’s Executive Director, Michelle Baldwin participates in key initiatives including Hill Day and is the liaison with Imagine Canada. Learn more about public policy at Imagine Canada.

Canadian Federation of Voluntary Sector Networks
Areas of Focus: Nonprofits

Pillar is a member of the Canadian Federation of Voluntary Sector Networks (CFVSN), strengthening cross-sector networks and facilitating pan-Canadian public policy dialogue. Our Executive Director, Michelle Baldwin participates in monthly teleconference calls. Learn more about CFVSN.

National Impact Investing Practitioners Table (NIIP)
Area of Focus: Social Enterprise & Social Finance

Pillar is represented in a community of practice group of social finance funds and Mentor/Advisor, Lina Bowden represents Pillar and VERGE Capital on this committee. The mission of this networking is to share best practices, identify shared policy, legislative and regulatory priorities and to speak as a single, influential voice working to shape a strong, enabling environment for social finance in Canada.


Scaling Impact
Area of Focus: Social Enterprise & Social Finance

Convened by SVX, Pillar is represented in a community of practice group of place-based social finance intermediaries and Chair, VERGESVX, Lina Bowden represents Pillar and VERGE Capital on this committee. The mission of this collaborative is to ensure our place-based social finance ecosystem can start/scale funds and development strong intermediary models.  

AWARENESS