Author Archive

• Core Strength in Action

  Date: 2010.03.15 | Category: Organizational Pilates, Technology | Response: 0

  When I first injured my back in 2003, I was surprised that the first exercises my physiotherapist gave me focused on the transverse abdominal muscles.  I had done a plethora of stomach exercises before then but never paid attention to those little guys. Viagra for women Viagra sale

  The premise: a strong core is the root of overall healthy functioning.

  We like this philosophy at Framework. Prospecto levitra  We like it so much we practice it all the time in the form of “Organizational Pilates”.  For a bit more detail about Organizational Pilates as our core management practice, take a quick read of Anil’s September 2009 guest post in Volunteer Vancouver’s blog.

  For now, I’d like to share an example of how the exercises and ‘training’ we’ve been doing for the past year or so (our organizational pilates regime) are translating into agility, flexibility and overall effectiveness.

  I’ll work backwards, starting with the end result and finishing Levitra pas cher with the exercises that got us here. Levitra prix pharmacie

  The Success

  The GenNext volunteers in London are motiv Pastillas levitra ated and passionate to make the 1st London Timeraiser a huge success.  They are currently out connecting with local businesses like WCS Financial and Libro Financial Group who will sign on as spon sors Online levitra so we can buy artwork at fair market value from local artists.

  When a volunteer confirms a new corporate sponsor, we are able to alleviate the burdensome administration around partnership agreements, invoices, etc. Levitra achat Cheap viagra online  After one quick email containing contact information, we can produce all the necessary documents, email Purchase viagra online them over, and often have everyth ing signed Levitra pill in 20 minutes. Viagra levitra

  We transformed an administrative process that used to be circuitous, redundant and cum Brand viagra bersome into one that is fast, easy and efficient for everyone.  Moreover, volunteers can focus their skills where they’re most important: connecting with local businesses and building relationships. Purchase viagra Kauf von viagra Kaufen viagra

  On our end, what used to take us, on average 3 days, can now take 20 minutes start to finish with the end result being more organized and more transparent. Viagra alternatives

  The Process: Before & After

  We have completely removed printers, faxes, paper and pens from this workflow and instead rely on a wicked integration of Salesforce.com and EchoSign.

  I won’t go into it here, because it’s much for fun to have Amanda take you through the process in this concise and colourful video (shown above). Really, it’s a good video, even the folks at the EchoSign blog said so!

  How we got here: Organizational Pilates regime

  Our success can be attributed to our strong organizational core. Viagra sin receta  Our daily pilates regime builds:

  1. Strength to evaluate and implement technology that works best for us
  2. Agility to practice processes that can engage new ideas and evaluate them against our existing programming
  3. Focus to always use programming that engages and supports the best staff and volunteers
  4. Resiliency to learn from the work that we, and other like-minded initiatives, are doing
  5. Motivation to share everything we know, data we have and insight we generate

  We’re going to keep on this exercise regime; we’ re feeling fit as ever! Levitra contraindicaciones Over the counter viagra Viagra bestellung  And one thing I learned from my back injury is that maintenance is everything: I re-injured my back last year having neglected my transverse abdominus exercises.  Luckily I enjoy our organizational pilates more than actual exercise!

  Let us know how you exercise your organization’s core!

• Footage from the 2nd Ottawa Timeraiser

  Date: 2010.03.05 | Category: Timeraiser | Response: 0

  Recently as we were creating and publishing new CivicFootprint TV videos, we unearthed one of our favourite Timeraiser videos.  Produced by Meg Wilcox, Nina Soboczynski and Radka Zitkova for Capital News Online, the video is from Viagra bestellung the 2nd Ottawa Timeraiser last November. Levitra pas cher Online levitra Levitra contraindicaciones  It perfectly captures the vibe (I’ve heard the description “trendy but authentic”) and explains the various elements that make the Timeraiser such a unique event.

  In truth, while videos and pictures are a great way of telling the Timeraiser story, you really do have to actually attend a Timeraiser in person to fully understand its impact.  It’ s in chatting with an arti Purchase viagra st about the story behind his or her piece. Viagra sale Kauf von viagra Viagra alternatives  It’s hearing the passion in the voices of agency reps as they describe their programs or striking up a conversation with someone about what brought them to Timeraiser. Prospecto levitra Levitra achat  It’s watching anxious bidders during the silent auction and then hearing the jubilation when winners are announced. Viagra levitra Viagra for women Levitra prix pharmacie  But wh at eclipses everything is noticing your own excitement when you he Cheap viagra online ar Brand viagra about a volunteer position that speaks to you and your interests. Purchase viagra online

  But don’t take my word: read what other people have to say and more importantly: experience it for yourself! Viagra sin receta Pastillas levitra  The 2010 Timeraiser season starts Saturday March 20th in Toronto for the 7th year in a row. Over the counter viagra  Tickets are already more than 60% sold out, so giddy-up!  Following Toronto we have:

  • 2nd Hamilton Timeraiser: Thursday April 22nd
  • 1st London Timeraiser: Thursday May 13th
  • 5th Calgary Timeraiser: Thursday June 17th
  • 3rd Vancouver Timeraiser: Thursday September 23rd
  • 2nd Edmonton Timeraiser: Saturday October 16th
  • 3rd Ottawa Timeraiser: Saturday November 13th

  So check out that video from the Ottawa Timeraiser and make a comment! Levitra pill Kaufen viagra  There are some great interviews including one from the evening’s emcee, CBC Radio Host Amanda Putz, our E.D. Anil Patel, and Ottawa artist Paul Sharp.

  Happy viewing!

• Think Globally, Act Locally

  Date: 2010.01.25 | Category: Capacity Building, Technology | Response: 0

  “Think globally, act locally.” It’s a phrase th at Brand viagra has been used in many contexts, but commonly conveys the desire to change the world Viagra sale one community at a time. Viagra bestellung  This expression popped into my head when I was reading about some global initiatives that are harnessing creativity, supporting its growth and facilitating its distribution in really innovative ways. Kauf von viagra

  When I read about what they are doing, I thought to myself, “we’re on the right track!”  Looking back at Anil’s thoughts on Open Architecture, Amanda’s writing on information sharing and transparency, I can’t help but come to that conclusion. Over the counter viagra Pastillas levitra  This isn’t meant as a pat on our own backs but rather to continue the dialogue on how we deliver programming and how we could do it better. Purchase viagra

  Thinking Globally

  Take NetHope [www.nethope.org], for example.  Among other projects, they have an Innovation for Development (I4D) program which seeks to extend existing best practices and scale solutions for broader impact in developing countries. Viagra levitra  If we distill this approach down to a local level, the theory is the same: how do we aggregate existing best practices within the non-profit sector to better serve our community Kaufen viagra ?   And how do we then share theselearnings with the thousands of other charitable organizations Viagra alternatives ? For us (Framework), one way is our use of  smart technology (primarily web-based) to share how we operate with the world. Viagra sin receta That is, adapting existing technology to our needs and then letting everyone else know why and how we did it.

  Another element of NetHope’s work is building telecommunications infrastructure where they either don’t exist or have been destroyed as a result of natural disasters. Levitra prix pharmacie Cheap viagra online  The idea being that in both cases the infrastructure will enableNGOs to collaborate, share information and better aid people and communities in need. Purchase viagra online  This idea that we can better deliver services if we can collaborate and communicate is fundamental to our work. Levitra pas cher  You can read about our collaboration strategy in an earlier post so I won’t get into it here, but essentially where NetHope’s connectivity initiatives help build a technical workforce in remote areas of Africa, for example, our infrastructure allows us to efficiently collaborate with partners and stakeholders across Canada.

  Finally, The Rockefeller Foundation, a huge granting body in the United States, has identified the need for open and user-driven innovation models to solve big issues like poverty and global warming through their “Advancing Innovation Processes to Solve Social Problems” stream of funding.  There are a lot of great questions that came to mind from reading their Key Outcomes:

  • How do we foster partnerships with our many stakeholders in order to better deliver Timeraiser programming? 
  • What new technology will help us enable our users contribute to our processes Levitra contraindicaciones ?
  • How can we quickly capitalize on a creative idea from a volunteer in Calgary Levitra achat ?
  • And finally, when we think we have a great piece of knowledge, how do we share it with other like-minded NGOs Viagra for women ?

  Acting Locally

  There are a lot of interesting ideas and models out there about how to collaborate, use technology and share best practices.  Some have big outcomes like saving humanity and Prospecto levitra saving our planet. Levitra pill Online levitra  But how they are applied is certainly relevant and transferable to organizations working on local issues like housing in Vancouver’s East End, the development of green spaces in Toronto, securing healthy food for poor families in Hamilton, or planning a Timeraiser in Calgary! 

• Ottawa Kicks Into Gear!

  Date: 2009.10.08 | Category: Timeraiser | Response: 0

  On October 6^th the Community Foundations of Canada released their 2009 Vital Signs reports.  Vital Signs are community check ups that report on the overall viability and heath of a given community.  Truly, for anyone just starting to think about getting involved in the community, a great first step is, if possible, going through your local Vital Signs reports; understanding the major issues facing your community will arm you with knowledge to guide decisions on how and where to give of your time, talents and treasures. Levitra pill Viagra sin receta Pastillas levitra Levitra prix pharmacie

  A variety of important issue areas are analyzed but of interest to us here at Framework relates to the Arts & Culture section.  Not surprisingly, one of the findings of Ottawa’s 2009 Vital Signs is that individuals employed in a particular subset of the Art & Culture field, particularly those in visual and performing arts, have annual earnings that are on average half of those employed in the broader Arts & Culture field.  I won’t go into specifics around this topic of why investing in local artists is important, because we’ve covered it in Timeraiser Supports Artists

  Coincidentally, and appropriately, October 6^th was also the 2009 Ottawa Kick Off Celebration where we handed over, on behalf of our corporate partners, over $14,000 worth of cheques to local emerging visual artists.  One of the great things about Levitra achat these parties is the corporations that fund the art procurement for Timera Purchase viagra isers are there to meet the artists and talk about the artwork. Levitra pas cher Online levitra Levitra contraindicaciones Prospecto levitra Viagra alternatives

  

  Christopher, Jen, Juliet and MP Paul Dewar

  The night truly is a perfect example of a variety of different stakeholder groups getting together to make their community more vibrant and healthy in the most meaningful way – lending their expertise, skills and positions to charitable causes and a community that is important to them.  Take local business-owner, Carley Schelck of The Urban Elementwho offered her beautiful venue and delicious food as a backdrop for the party; Corporate partners that donated funds to purchase the artwork; volunteers from a variety of backgrounds who are using their skills as lawyers, managers, directors, event planners, etc to plan and promote the Timeraiser; Artists who even after collecting their cheques still stayed to talk and enjoy the night; Community capacity builders like the Community Foundation of Ottawa, Volunteer Ottawa and United Way who have helped bring the Timeraiser to life in Ottawa and continue to offer networks and  support various aspects of the program; and finally Kaufen viagra and MP, Paul Dewar, who stopped by to stay in touch with what his fellow citizens are up to. Brand viagra Over the counter viagra Viagra bestellung

  It was an eclectic group to say the least, but one that shares a common goal to support civic engagement in Ottawa and ensure Ottawa’s “grades” in the 2010 Vital Signs are even more positive. Viagra levitra Purchase viagra online Viagra for women Viagra sale Kauf von viagra Cheap viagra online

  The 2^nd Ottawa Timeraiser will be held on November 14^th, 2009 at the Canadian War Museum.  Tickets will be on sale at Timeraiser.ca next week.

• Vancouver Timeraiser Story

  Date: 2009.10.02 | Category: Timeraiser | Response: 0

  Last Wednesday, the 23rd of September, I was talking with Jaeny Baik from CBC about the upcoming Timeraiser, and she asked me something to the effect of, “So the night of the Timeraiser must just be the ultimate treat for you?” Without downplaying how exciting Levitra prix pharmacie

  I should mention though, that the 2nd Vancouver Timeraiser was super successful, and we’re thrilled with Vancouver’s response to the program. Purchase viagra online Viagra for women A quick recap of some of the results:

  • Over 380 people attended with over 150 participants making ‘the pledge’
  • 5, 355 volunteer hours pledged, of which 60% was pledged by art winners
  • 20 of the 25 pieces of artwork went for their maximum bid
  • Over $15,000 was invested in the careers of local emerging artists,
  • 20 artists were in attendance, talking to participants about their work,
  • 2008 art winners received their artwork on stage
  • Personnel from both online social media as well as traditional media attended
  • Timeraiser sponsors in attendance: WestJet, PWC, Bull Frog, Molson, McConnell Foundation, RedBull, RBC, TD Canada Trust. Viagra levitra

  You can also check out a picture summary by wonderful volunteer photographer Marlis Funk and a video summary shown below. pictures and  video always help bring the Timeraiser to life, but we hear time and again that you really have to see it in person to fully get the magic. Levitra contraindicaciones Levitra achat

  But back to my point: I do want to share how inspiring it is to hear people relate, as a 2009 Vancouver Art Winner did, “I have been thinking about volunteering for so long, just never really knew how to start…now I’m super excited to get going on my pledge and I already know of some organizations that I want to work with!”

  I also received a very nice email from artist Lisa Ochowycz:

  “I really feel that Timeraiser is a “win win win win” event. Artists, NGO’s and Volunteers all win and, most importantly, the Community wins – dynamic, engaged, and enthusiastic individuals directly contributing to its vibrancy. Viagra alternatives Wow! Who knew one event could do all that!”

  And in my new digs at the Volunteer Vancouver, I was even lucky enough to overhear (I was not eavesdropping!) a Timer Viagra bestellung

  So Jaeny is right, being at the Timeraiser is super fun and there are always so many interesting people with whom to chat. Levitra pill And it’s also awesome to see how excited our volunteers were to see the result of their hardwork – people like Jessica Evans who is the rockinest social media volunteer ever, Holly Sawchuk whose event planning skills found a rad place for the Kick Off and Neighbourhood Day, Michael Natyna who was integral throughout the year working with agencies and Ryan Picklyk and Ainslie Muzzin who used their art passions to help put together a great portfolio of artwork.

  In the end, after the Timeraiser event, it’ s the Timerai Kauf von viagra ser program that is most exciting. Online levitra Viagra sale It’s watching individuals’ civic footprints grow, and foreseeing how Vancouver’ s civic footprint will ultimately grow. Prospecto levitra

  Kudos to all the agencies, artists, volunteers and participants who helped make the Vancouver Timeraiser program so success and for making a lasting difference in your community. Kaufen viagra

  “What we are trying to do may be just a drop in the ocean, but the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” Mother Teresa

  –
  Over 5,500 hours raised at the 2nd Vancouver Timeraiser! Levitra pas cher Viagra sin receta Over the counter viagra Purchase viagra Cheap viagra online Next Timeraiser: 1st Edmonton, October 17th, 2009