*Free- no registration required

Kenn Ross, Manager, will introduce the program and discuss the challenges to its operation and sustainability.

Melanie Ferris will discuss her experience as a loan recipient. Melanie is a business woman specializing in plain language communication services.  She is a past winner of Miziwe Biik's Business Woman of the Year Award.

5 workshops,   4 hours of networking time,   3 plenary sessions,   2 sector-specific caucuses and   1 awards ceremony

The annual  Co-operative Conference and Spirit Awards Gala will be held on Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, ON. The first session begins at 9.00am. Cocktail reception starts at 4.30pm and the Spirit Awards Gala begins at 6.00pm.

 OCTOBER 7, 2011 IS THE LAST DAY FOR YOU TO CATCH THE EARLY BIRD SAVINGS.  Prices increase on October 8, and again October 18.

Change inc., co-led by Public Policy Forum and TakingITGlobal with lead support from the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, seeks to expand and motivate youth in developing imaginative social change initiatives in their communities by building entrepreneurial skills among youth aged 16-25.

While traditional business and entrepreneurship programming is available to many high school and postsecondary students, there is little education on social entrepreneurship. As you know well, social entrepreneurship is occupying an increasingly significant place in Ontario’s economy, and therefore, there is an increasing need to address the gaps in learning and application.  Change inc. will focus on interactive learning experiences, skills development, group projects, dialogue, idea exchange and mentorship between aspiring and established social entrepreneurs as a means to encourage this development in Ontario.

Change inc. begins in September 2011 and is comprised of:

 The PricewaterhouseCoopers Canada Foundation has launched an eight-week call for submissions for its Leadership Grants Program. The program provides up to $200,000 in grants to leaders at small- or medium-sized registered charitable organizations in Canada looking to fund professional development opportunities. Submissions will be accepted until October 28, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. Grants are available in two categories:

Individual Leadership Grants (value $2,500). To be used by individual staff members or volunteers for professional development opportunities of their own design. 

Team Leadership Grants (value $5,000). To be used by teams of two or more staff members and/or volunteers (including the applicant) for professional development opportunities of their own design.

The program's design gives charities the flexibility to take advantage of a development opportunity that best meets their needs. Examples could include anything from formal courses, conferences or training programs to informal learning experiences of the applicant’s own design that helps advance the applicant's professional development and the organization’s goals. For more information, including full eligibility requirements, visit: www.pwc.com.