CCAeLearning Sessions 2020-2021

In November 2019, Coady fulfilled a commitment to Indigenous women leaders to hold a graduate-led Indigenous Women in Community Leadership (IWCL) Gathering. Since 2011, the IWCL program has already benefited more than 150 emerging Indigenous women leaders from First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities. It is the only program in the country for Indigenous women that provides the opportunity to undertake community analysis and to stimulate community-driven development initiatives during their learning period, as well as receive one-on-one Indigenous leadership mentoring.

The Gathering re-affirmed the importance of Coady's programming in support of Indigenous women and focused on the key successes graduates have had as community leaders, highlighting the concept of asset-based community development. This session will share some of the learning about what went into the planning of the Gathering, important lessons learned and outcomes. In particular, the session will elaborate on how the Gathering has helped to shape the Institute’s expected graduate connections moving forward in ways that further reconciliation and partnership, focusing on the concept of abundance for all.

Learning Objectives

1. To highlight some of the innovative design aspects of the Gathering, focusing on Indigenous ways of knowing and doing
2. To discuss key lessons learned, of relevance to non-Indigenous academic Institutions
3. To share key principles for educational partnerships with Indigenous peoples

Canadian post-secondary philanthropy departments play an important role in helping to fund many of the projects that their institutions undertake. One major component is the solicitation of funding from donors to help establish scholarships, bursaries and awards. In many cases the responsible departments are silos, understanding only their work, and the lack of communication can result in frustrated employees and donors. Over the past 5 years, Lakehead University has started to break down our interoffice barriers, communicate, and develop an internal methodology that can help other siloed institutions to develop synergies and create an open dialogue and understanding of processes.

Learning Objectives

1. Demonstration of best practice in procedures and communication between departments
2. Development of Student Financial Aid Policy
3. Demonstration of benefits to students and donors when silos are broken down

On Valentine’s Day in 2019 & 2020, the Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation held its Thankathon - a multi-pronged donor relations initiative intended to show some love to its donors. Find out how this small shop expressed gratitude to thousands of donors in just one day... without "thasking," and on a shoestring budget.

Learning Objectives

1. One approach to engaging and building a culture of gratitude among your board members, colleagues and funding recipients
2. Avoiding the “Thask” - sometimes, you just need to say thank you, with no strings attached
3. Get over your fear of the phone: Not everyone is allergic to receiving an old school phone calls!