May 2008
Welcome to What’s Budding @ Maytree
Welcome to the May issue of What’s Budding @ Maytree, your source for news about all things Maytree.
abcGTA is now DiverseCity onBoard!
abcGTA will go big on reaching new targets for the next three years. And we aim to do this with a a lot of energy, more resources, a new look and a new name – DiverseCity onBoard. We’ve set a goal of reaching 1000 names on our roster and making 500 appointments by 2010.
And we’ve added to our staff team to ensure that we do it; please join us in welcoming Mona ElSayeh, DiverseCity onBoard Recruitment Coordinator to the Maytree team. If you have friends or colleagues you’d like to refer to the program, and have questions about how to do it, please send Mona an e-mail at melsayeh@maytree.com.
If you’re a member of a underrepresented visible minority or immigrant group, use our new on-line form to add your name and profile to the roster and help to diversify the face of governance in the GTA.
ALLIES: First Grant Made
ALLIES, the Maytree/McConnell project working to bring the TRIEC model to other cities in Canada is pleased to announce that Edmonton is the first city to come on board. Employers, citizens and institutions in Edmonton have come together to create the Edmonton Regional Immigrant Employment Council (ERIEC). Edmonton has a fast growing economy and significant labour market shortages. As their first action item, ERIEC will develop a mentoring program for Edmonton.
2008 Maytree Leadership Conference Highlights
Maytree’s annual conference, held on May 6th, was attended by more than 400 people. Issues of identity, multiculturalism and belonging, and their impact on the wellbeing of individuals and communities, were the overarching themes of the day. Thank you to all those who participated and made it a productive, stimulating event! Visit our site to view the highlights of the day.
Urban Nation: Standing room only launch!
Mayor David Miller opened last week’s launch of Alan Broadbent’s Urban Nation by underlining the importance of Canada’s urban centres to the country’s prosperity. A lively conversation between Alan and Christopher Hume of the Toronto Star followed.Urban Nation: Why We Need to Give Power Back to the Cities to Make Canada Strong is available wherever books are sold, including www.amazon.ca.
Diaspora Dialogues – TOK: Writing the New Toronto,
Book 3
Join Diaspora Dialogues for the launch of the third book in their anthology series, TOK: Writing the New Toronto, in partnership with Luminato, Toronto Festival of Arts + Creativity! The event is a star-studded literary cabaret, showcasing new work from Giller nominee Alissa York (Effigy); American Library Association Alex Award winner Judy Fong Bates (Midnight at the Dragon Café); award-winning playwright and poet Daniel David Moses (Almighty Voice and His Wife); spoken-word performer and musician Shauntay Grant; playwright Yvette Nolan, Artistic Director of Native Earth Performing Arts; and emerging writers Stacey May Fowles and Wasela Hiyate. Featuring the salsa rhythms of vocalist Lady Son and her Latin fusion band Articulo Veinte.This is a free event, so come early to make sure you get a seat! Wednesday, June 11, 8 p.m. at the Drake Underground.
Maytree Grantee in the News
Professor Benjamin Perrin, a recent Maytree grantee working on Human Trafficking issues in Canada, was featured in a recent Maclean’s cover story that discussed the growing trade in the illegal transport of people through B.C.:In November, the Future Group, a Calgary organization that works to prevent human trafficking, warned gangs may smuggle in women to work as prostitutes during the 2010 Olympics. “Vancouver is considered to be a hub for Pacific human trafficking,” Benjamin Perrin, a professor at UBC’s Faculty of Law, told a Vancouver newspaper. “Any time you have an influx of foreign tourists and money, you’ll see a huge demand for the sex trade.”
To learn more, read the article.
Canada-wide Handgun Ban
Toronto is a safe city but we continue to face unacceptable incidents of gun violence. There is something we can do as Torontonians and as Canadians.We must join together to call on the Parliament of Canada to ban the private ownership of handguns. Maytree joins Mayor David Miller to ask that you add your name to the City of Toronto’s petition for a Canada-wide handgun ban.
Maytree’s New Look
On a final note, you will see that Maytree has a new look. A new website will also go live today. The content from our old site has been updated and reorganized, and there’s information on Maytree’s newest activities. Visit often to stay informed, and send an e-mail to info@maytree.com to let us know what you think of our new look.
News You Can Use
Boardmatch Leaders
Governance in the Non-profit Sector: Leaders Contributing to their Communities is a leadership development program for current and prospective volunteer board members. The program will run on June 10th and 11th at York University’s Keele campus. Visit their site for details and to register, or contact Lynn Chambers at boardmatchleaders@altruvest.org for more information.
Sharing for Social Change: An Exploration of Shared Space and Shared Service Models in Ontario’s Non-Profit Sector
Wednesday, June 18, 2008 @ MaRS, 101 College St., Toronto
This one-day event will showcase innovative models and approaches to sharing and will provide practical advice and recommendations to nonprofit organizations interested in undertaking shared space and shared services.Register early to avoid disappointment.
Contact Us
Questions or comments about What’s Budding @ Maytree? Send an e-mail to whatsbudding@maytree.com.
