|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Social Innovation Monthly
Capacity Canada Board Governance BootCamp Leads the Way on preparing Non-profit Boards for Diversity
Broken Promises: A Struggle For A Diverse and Equitable World
For far too long, Canadian policies and institutions have systemically oppressed Indigenous Peoples across the cou
ntry. The issues that we, as non-indigenous people, so conveniently label as “Indigenous Issues” are issues of lacking basic human rights. A lack of opportunity, right to self-determination, sleeping in a safe space, having access to clean drinking water, not living in fear of losing one’s children, and not going missing or murdered for being Indigenous, among others.
Anti-Indigenous racism exists. Don’t think to yourself that it doesn’t.
“This lack of understanding and lack of willingness to try and create an awareness and self-education is what is incredibly frustrating in 2021,” shares Mumilaaq Qaqqaq, former Member of Parliament from Nunavut. Mumilaaq was the keynote speaker at Capacity Canada’s three-day Board Governance BootCamp held on December 2, 3, and 4 this year.
Read the full story on our website.
A Long Way To A Diverse and Equitable Board
Diversity is the first step towards equity. And non-profit boards still have a long way to go in achieving diversity. There is no simple way to create diverse and inclusive boards. Those in leadership positions 
need to actively identify barriers at multiple levels and build strategies to address these barriers. However, we cannot identify barriers till we examine our own internal biases and belief systems that have been influenced by colonial practices and culture. We must look within ourselves and learn how we perpetuate stereotypes in our policies and practices.
Speaking at Capacity Canada’s three-day Board Governance BootCamp, Olumide (Mide) Akerewusi, founder and CEO, AGENTSC Inc., said overt and covert biases and poor board recruitment systems and processes are at the heart of board failures when it comes to diversity.
Read the full story on our website.
The Value of Diversity is higher than the Cost to Achieve It
While two people may identify with the same religion, race, ethnicity, or profession, among others, the fact remains that those two people are still different. Each of us will never have the same outlook, beliefs, or life experiences that shape us into who we are.
The life experiences of a visibly Muslim woman who wears a hijab would be a lot different than that of a woman who doesn’t. Similarly, the lived 
experiences of an Indigenous woman would be far more challenging than someone who ‘looks Canadian’
Memona Hossain, former Board Director, Muslim Association of Canada
, Sarah Attia, Project Manager, MAC iRISE, and Khaled Al-Qazzaz, an Educator, Philanthropist, and Human Rights Activist, hosted the session – Perspectives on Islam & Muslims in Organizational 
Leadership at Capacity Canada’s Board Governance BootCamp. The session revolved around the understanding of Islam, Islamophobia, what fuels Islamophobia in Canada, and the intersectionality of the realities of Islamophobia.
Read the full story on our website.
Registration Open for Modern Board’s Advanced Board Governance Course
Are you on the Board for a non-profit organization? Or are you looking to serve on a Board but 
don’t know where to start? Look no further. Registration is now open for Capacity Canada’s Modern Board program – Advanced Board Governance, which prepares you with the skills and expertise required to excel in your role as a Board member. The course is offered in partnership with Conestoga College’s continuing education program.
With Modern Board, you will have access to unique and comprehensive online training from non-profit board governance experts. It will also provide you with the valuable accreditation necessary to demonstrate your board governance capacity.
To learn more and register, click here.
Support Capacity Canada
As 2021 comes to an end, Capacity Canada would like to take a moment and thank you for 
all your support that enabled us to positively impact people’s lives and help communities grow across the country. We are always grateful for our non-profit partners, community leaders, and their contribution, and even more so now with over a year of living through constant uncertainty of a global pandemic. This holiday season, we ask you to once again consider making a donation to assist Capacity Canada’s mission and work.
We hope that your family and friends remain safe. We say thank you for everything you do, and we hope to count on your continued support, especially during these challenging times.
