Five Good Ideas
Five Good Ideas is a lunch-and-learn program where industry and issue experts discuss powerful yet practical ideas on key management issues facing non-profit organizations. The sessions are most useful for management staff and board members at small and mid-sized non-profits.
Each expert presents five concise ideas and explores with the audience how these ideas can be translated into action. During each session, participants organize into small groups and continue the discussion to generate the best and most relevant of all ideas.
The Five Good Ideas Book
Upcoming Five Good Ideas sessions
November 26, 2019
Susan Manwaring, Partner, Miller Thomson
Previous Five Good Ideas sessions
Published on 02/10/2018
Across Canada, cities are at the forefront in dealing with today’s complex issues such as income disparity, affordable housing, mental health, and reconciliation.
Across Canada, cities are at the forefront in dealing with today’s complex issues such as income disparity, affordable housing, mental health, and reconciliation. Newer urban challenges, such as extreme weather events due to climate change and the growing digital divide pose further threats to the social, economic, and physical fabric of our urban communities. None […]
Published on 18/09/2018
In this session, Karen Pitre presented her five good ideas on how we can support local champions and break down the silos and barriers that get in the way of local initiatives.
The most successful solutions for building stronger communities have strong local support and are driven by local champions. Nonprofits, school boards, libraries, municipalities, community health centres, and many others understand that. They see the value in local and are not afraid of the challenges in developing local solutions with multiple partners. In this session, Karen […]
Published on 23/05/2018
In this Five Good Ideas, Ravi Jain and Dan Watson helped us to think about a few ways we can create the circumstances for us to feel comfortable when speaking to large groups.
Why are people so afraid of public speaking? What is it about standing in front of a group of people that terrifies some and excites others? In this Five Good Ideas, Ravi Jain, artistic director of Why Not Theatre, and Dan Watson, artistic producer of Ahuri Theatre, helped us to think about a few ways we […]
Published on 30/04/2018
Discussing ways to move forward with human rights in the era of reconciliation and nation-to-nation relationship building.
Commissioners Karen Drake (citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario) and Maurice Switzer (citizen of the Mississaugas of Alderville First Nation) of the Ontario Human Rights Commission joined Chief Commissioner Renu Mandhane to discuss ways to move forward with human rights in the era of reconciliation and nation-to-nation relationship building. The ideas presented can help organizations […]
Published on 27/03/2018
In 2012, Kofi Hope was hired to re-start a failed initiative intended to support economic development for Black youth.
In 2012, Kofi Hope was hired to re-start a failed initiative intended to support economic development for Black youth. Over the next six years, he and his team reconstituted the project as the CEE Centre for Young Black Professionals. At the heart of the initiative was a focus on reaching youth who could be labelled […]
Published on 28/02/2018
In this session, Robin shared her ideas for how non-profits can achieve greater clarity and alignment to feel better positioned to answer challenging questions. She also provoked ideas for how leaders can fight the “starvation cycle” in which many Canadian non-profits find themselves.
Non-profit leaders constantly face these types of complex strategic questions: There’s an exciting new funding opportunity, should we pursue it? Our programs are all important, but are they in the right combination or frequency? Some of my board members are passionate about a new idea for growth, should we explore it? In this session, Robin […]
Published on 29/01/2018
In this Five Good Ideas session, Jaime Watt, Executive Chairman of Navigator Ltd., presented his five good ideas on how to get your message heard – and acted on.
When approaching politicians with your issues, you will be competing for attention with many other stakeholder groups. To help politicians understand your issues, your message will need to be clear, crisp and concise. In this Five Good Ideas session, Jaime Watt, Executive Chairman of Navigator Ltd., presented his five good ideas on how to get […]
Published on 05/12/2017
Join Alf Spencer, Director of the Accessibility Outreach, Education and Referral Branch at the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario, as he discusses ideas and tools to move towards a culture of accessibility. Through his five good ideas, find out how dialogue, community, youth and other elements can all work together to create a more inclusive environment for everyone.
Join Alf Spencer, Director of the Accessibility Outreach, Education and Referral Branch at the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario, as he discusses ideas and tools to move towards a culture of accessibility. Through his five good ideas, find out how dialogue, community, youth and other elements can all work together to create a more inclusive environment […]
Published on 31/10/2017
How non-profit organizations can plan for sustainability and stability, knowing that leadership will evolve over time, and that traditional succession planning models may not apply.
Traditional succession planning has always been a challenge in the sector, particularly with smaller organizations. All organizations, regardless of size, strive for continuity of thought and leadership – as it relates to Board, senior management, and program leadership. How can non-profit organizations plan for sustainability and stability, knowing that leadership will evolve over time, and […]