Copyright & Intellectual Property Law
What is the difference between a trade-mark, copyright, patent and industrial design? How can I protect my company’s intellectual property? What do I do if someone sends me a cease and desist letter? When can I use ™ or ®? What do I do if someone is using my name/trade-mark on their website?
Talking to the media
Some of the most creative problem-solving in Canada is going on in non-profit organizations. But the public seldom hears about these efforts. As a journalist who has been covering the non-profit sector for more than decade, Carol Goar attempts to explain why some of the best initiatives don’t show up on the radar screens of reporters, editors, broadcasters and producers.
Impacting Public Policy
Why do important ideas to improve public policy seem to rarely get implemented? Is signing another petition going to achieve the results you want to see? Free and democratic societies need the active and vigorous participation of individuals and non-governmental organizations in order to thrive. We all benefit from greater involvement by civil society in the public arena of ideas in an increasingly digital world. Most of us have experienced the fact that impacting public policy requires more than just a passion for a cause and good research.
Employment & Labour Law
While it sounds trite, the hallmark of any successful relationship is communication. Sometimes we forget that the employer-employee relationship is no different; disputes that arise in the workplace are often the result of poor communication on both sides of the relationship. Employers have to realize that in order to effectively manage their employees, they have to get out in front of issues that could arise and understand that their employees are looking to them for answers.
Working with Volunteers
Most non-profit organizations rely on volunteers to not only enhance their programming, but run day-to-day operations. At Daily Bread Food Bank the job of distributing over 15 million pounds or food to over 200 food programs would not get done without the hard work of volunteers. Last year, 15,521 volunteers helped Daily Bread with over 107,259 hours of work. Volunteers at Daily Bread do great work, and the organization is constantly looking at ways to improve its programs and volunteer opportunities.
Creating an Automatic Marketing Culture
Are you one of those people who rarely forwards emails? Yet on that rare occasion, something strikes you as special – and you are inspired to “pass-it-on.” Something about it clicked with you. Perhaps you can’t even explain it; a certain je ne sais quoi. That “something” is often described by marketers as “stickiness.” When we connect with a message, a video, a website – we automatically engage with it, and want to share it. We don’t even have to be asked, because it’s automatic.
Dealing with an Influenza Pandemic
An influenza pandemic raises difficult questions for organizations: How might an outbreak affect staffing capacity, the safety of clients, the viability of programs and services and the stability of funding? How can organizations make decisions and communicate to stakeholders in an environment of changing or conflicting information while dealing with high rates of management absenteeism? How can organizations match their response to the severity of the situation? While many guidelines exist for corporations and for hospitals, precious little has been established for small and medium-sized non-profit organizations – particularly those without a health focus.