The overall objectives of the National Engagement Strategy are to:

1. Strengthen the collective voice of charities and nonprofits in Canada and facilitate their ability to take collective action on cross-cutting issues of importance to the sector and the communities it serves.
2. Foster knowledge exchange and innovation among organizations of all sizes, from a variety of sub-sectors and operating in different parts of the country, in order to learn from each other.
3. Create spaces and support linkages, networks and partnerships that will strengthen organizational capacity and sustainability, thereby enhancing the sector's effectiveness and impact across Canada and around the world.

The National Engagement Strategy is made possible through a partnership with the Agora Foundation through the Margery J. Warren Endowment Fund. Assistance for the 2010 events is also being provided by the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation and our partners in each province or territory where events are being held.

There are a number of key considerations guiding Imagine Canada's facilitation of and engagement in this process. Read more about these key considerations.

 A Framework for Action:
Our engagement strategy is informed by A Framework for Action, a working document outlining drivers of change that we believe, will have an impact on the sector in the coming years. Imagine Canada is using this draft framework to facilitate a nation-wide conversation about what actions must be taken to maximize the contributions of the sector to Canada and the world over the next decade. In our role as a convener of this national dialogue, Imagine Canada is co-hosting Provincial Forums and extended community conversations with local partners. Visit our webpage outlining the Framework for Action and Drivers of Change.

Key Components of the National Engagement Strategy

There are three key components to the National Engagement Strategy:

Community Conversations (2009):
In 2009, we held a series of more than 20 community conversations across Canada in partnership with local co-hosts. For information on the outcomes of these conversations, please see our Blog.

Provincial Forums (2010):
In partnership with local co-hosts, we held Provincial Forums and extended community conversations between May and November of 2010. These events provided a welcome opportunity for dialogue about the major issues and trends facing the charitable and nonprofit sector in Canada and helped to identify sector-wide priorities for collective action in the years ahead. The Framework for Action was the springboard for this national dialogue on how to strengthen the sector in Canada for the benefit of communities here at home and around the world. Find updates on each event on our Blog.

National Summit (November 28-30, 2011)
The National Summit will focus on advancing the priorities identified during the provincial forums and extended community conversations through tangible and achievable actions. This work is being shepherded by Imagine Canada’s National Engagement Strategy Advisory Committee.

Key considerations guiding the National Engagement Strategy

1. The process is premised on a strengths-based approach that recognizes the sector's many assets and seeks to maximize the contributions of charities and nonprofits to Canada and the world.
2. Events and activities associated with this process are being planned, hosted, implemented and evaluated through shared leadership with colleagues and organizations from across the sector.
3. Imagine Canada advocates joint ownership with the sector of the success or failure of this process, recognizing that this is a social experiment where many lessons will be learned and where course corrections will be required along the way.
4. Momentum for the process is being developed by initially engaging a coalition of the willing, recognizing that organizations across the sector will have differing levels of ability and desire to engage as early adopters and that engagement is expected to grow over time.
5. Even as this process focuses on strengthening the voice, capacity and effectiveness of charities and nonprofits in Canada, the motivating purpose is to maximize the sector's ability to contribute to the quality of life, self-fulfillment and prosperity of Canadians and citizens around the world.