The Intersection Hub

S 2 - E3 Renegotiating Resilience

We are so happy to finally welcome our dear friend and colleague Jen Love to the hub and as co-host this season. This episode is an intimate conversation between two women who have been friends for a long time.

Jen is a Storyteller, firefly chaser, dog walker, fierce mother, love warrior and a loyal friend. Jen seems to have been part of every pivotal moment of Kimberley’s personal and professional life over the past 15 plus years. In addition to joining us a podcast co-host, Jen is also a Trusted Advisor to The Intersection and co-host for the Women in the Hub (WiTH) and Community Connects events.

In this episode we start with a discussion about the benefits and harm of resilience, boundaries, feminism, the value of stepping back so that you can lean in and the importance of finding “your people”.

NOTE: The conversation starts with Jen’s story about starting work in the charitable sector and following her father’s footsteps. For those of you who may not know – because we failed to mention it - Jen’s father is David Love, well known to many as the Godfather of Good and veteran fundraiser with over 40 years of experience raising money mostly for environmental causes.

You can get in touch with Jen through Agents of Good or follow her on twitter at @agentjenlove.

You can look forward to more episodes with Jen and some amazing women this season. So please remember to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and if you haven’t yet, please join the email list at The Intersectionhub.ca.

S02E02 - Pale, Male and Stale – Rethinking Governance

In this episode we welcome Nicole McVann as a co-host for this season.

Nicole McVan is a strategic non-profit leader with 20 years of experience in Canada and abroad. Their experience spans many areas including corporate philanthropy, individual and community-based giving, volunteer development, national event management, and alumni giving. They are currently the Vice President, Philanthropy & Marketing at United Way Greater Toronto.

As a white, able-bodied, transgender and non-binary person, Nicole uses an anti-oppressive lens in building philanthropy and marketing plans to work with and for communities. Nicole regularly speaks and writes on the topic of equity, privilege, and power dynamics for fundraising publications and at conferences and learning events. ANNNND Nicole has agreed to share podcast co-hosting responsibilities this season so this is your opportunity to get to know them a little better.

 In this episode we get into a juicy conversation about what would happen if we ditched the traditional model of governing an organization. Many organizations are being more intentional about creating more diversity in the board room. We get into the realities of code-switching, developing policies that support the emotional labour of trying to fit in and the real work of setting the stage is set for everyone to feel welcome and valued when they come into your space.

Nicole, welcome to the hub. We are so grateful for your energy, your light and your compassion.

If you are going to share one podcast with your board of directors, THIS is it. We look forward to more conversations with Nicole in season two. Please remember to like, review, subscribe and share this podcast. Let’s keep building community together. Thank you for spending time here.

S2E1 - The Myth of Professionalism

When Clay Buck introduced me to Janet Cobb’s Ted Talk, The Myth of Professionalism I was immediately smitten. Janet has an amazing story. Her life experience is vast and she advances social justice with wisdom and compassion and authenticity.

Janet's personal mission statement is to act justly, love mercy, walk humbly, do good, and always seek to do the next right thing. Professionally, she's been a professional cook, teacher, librarian, communications manager, fundraiser, school administrator, consultant, and coach. She's a wife, a mother of three, and a former Catholic nun. She aims to integrate all of these aspects into living an authentic life going about doing good. 

In this conversation we chat about life beyond the convent, how clothes and make up can get in the way of authenticity, misogyny, Tamir Rice and being a mother of biracial children in this moment. We do get emotional so you may want to have Kleenex handy.

If you want to learn about Janet and her work check out the articles below:

That Could've Been My Child

Do Something About It

Can You See the Holes

When Will We Listen and Learn

The Myth of Professionalism

https://www.ted.com/talks/janet_cobb_cfre_cnp_resisting_the_myths_of_professionalism

Get in touch via her website here: https://jcobbconsulting.com/

Read her book Promise Land: https://jcobbconsulting.com/books 

Janet thank you so much for bringing your whole self to this conversation. We are so grateful. Be sure to check out the show notes for links to Janet’s articles and Ted Talk. Let us know what you think.

If you want to connect with The Intersection or have ideas for future podcasts, you can find us on twitter and at intersection hub.ca. and remember please share, comment and subscribe to this podcast so that we can keep building community in conversation.

Should we keep going? Season 1 Recap

Should we keep it going? Are we having fun? Which episodes did the community like the most?

In this episode Kimberley MacKenzie and Paul Nazareth reflect on Season One and the rich conversations they were able to have with so many incredible people.

They also dig into the data and share which episodes resonated with the most people. And wrap up thinking about what’s next and where they should go from here.

Here is the top ten list from 2021

10. Cindy Wagman: The Reluctant Fundraiser
11. Andrea Gunraj: Anti-Oppressive Communication
12. Jay Frost and George Zeno: Community or Donors? Who’s Right?
13. Jason Lewis: Why Fundraising is Failing
14. 6. Paul Gets Fired UP!
15. Nice to meet you
16. Rickesh Lakhani: Resilience
17. Are Consultants Friend or Foe?
18. Ann Gloger: Scaling Connected Communities
19. Liz LeClair: It is time to get uncomfortable

You may want to take some time to revisit some of the great conversations from last year. Then buckle your seatbelts for season two. If you haven’t already please consider joining The Intersection community here and remember to like, subscribe and share this podcast so we can keep building a connected and inspired community. Thank you for spending time here.

Episode 26 -Why Fundraising is Failing

Apologies in advance. More than one of us swears in this episode and it wasn’t Paul.

Today we welcome Jason Lewis into the hub. In this conversation we totally geek out over all the changes, hopes and dreams we would like to see for fundraisers and the organizations they serve.

Jason is the founder of Responsive Fundraising; a consultancy committed to creating places where fundraising can thrive. The team at Responsive ensures that their clients understand and experience a holistic approach to fundraising that is meaningful for those on both sides of the exchange.

Jason is a professor at York College of Pennsylvania where he teaches nonprofit management, social entrepreneurship and small business consulting. Jason's first book, The War for Fundraising Talent, was an honest yet hopeful critique of contemporary fundraising practices. Jason’s follow-up is scheduled for release in early 2022.

In this conversation we talk about what fundraising will look like when it grows up. Somehow cats, chameleons and wizards work their way into the conversation and we dig in about what professional fundraising really means. Has the professionalism of the sector done more harm than good?

And after quite a bit of pontificating about reasons behind the abhorrent staff turnover rate in our sector we find optimism for the future of fundraising.

Please join us in welcoming Jason to the hub.

As always, thank you so much for making time for this podcast today. Please remember to like, subscribe and review this podcast so that more people can discover it. Let’s keep making connections and building community.

Rogare Relationship Fundraising Research https://www.rogare.net/relationship-fundraising

Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World https://davidepstein.com/the-range/

Lisa Greer: https://www.lisagreer.com/

Episode 25 - Building a Community of Practice

Working within a system to change a system is tough work. Through their Community of Practice sessions Tanya and Nicole are building a movement and creating safe and compassionate places for dialogue. We are thrilled to welcome Tanya and Nicole into the hub.

 

Tanya Hannah Rumble, CFRE (she/her) and Nicole McVan, MA (they/them) are long-time collaborators and respected fundraising leaders. Together they have led learning sessions and facilitated workshops for more than 2,000 professional fundraisers across North America and Europe on the topics of power and privilege; equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and fundraising. Their clients include: UNICEF Canada, Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Canada Board of Directors, Art Gallery of Ontario, Association for Opera in Canada, and the Canadian Cancer Society. They bring a unique blend of deep expertise as full-time professional fundraisers; the vulnerability they share and cultivate in their learning sessions through sharing of their collective lived experiences as racialized, disabled, and trans-non binary professionals; and the power to help folks examine sensitive and challenging topics such as race, oppression, and privilege with non-judgement.

 

Tanya is a racialized settler of multi-ethnic origins living in Tkaronto. She is a fundraising leader who has raised millions for some of Canada's largest charities including Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Canadian Cancer Society, McMaster University and now the Faculty of Arts and Yellowhead Institute at X University. As a racialized philanthropy professional Tanya is honoured to share her influence and insights with students, emerging professionals and peers in the sector. Tanya regularly writes articles on the topics of inclusion, equity, and access; and power, privilege and fundraising for industry publications and speaks to professional audiences at learning events regularly.

 

She graduated with an Hons. B.A. Political Science from McMaster University, earned a Graduate Certificate at NYU in Marketing Communications, and is currently enrolled in the Master Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership (MPNL) at Carleton University. She has also completed numerous professional certificates including Not-For-Profit Governance Essentials (Rotman School of Management, Institute of Corporate Directors) and Truth and Reconciliation Through Right Relations (Banff Centre). Tanya is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and Master Financial Advisor - Philanthropy (MFA-P™).

 

Additionally, she is an active leadership volunteer in the philanthropy and non-profit sector: Board Director with the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Canada, and Board Committee volunteer with AFP Canada-Foundation; executive volunteer with the Canadian Association of Gift Planners; Vice-Chair of the Board and Chair of the HR Committee with FindHelp Information Services - operators of 211 Toronto; and Board Director with Native Child and Family Services of Toronto. In addition to sharing her knowledge, she is committed to lifelong learning -  she is a graduate of the 2017 Association of Fundraising Professionals Inclusion and Philanthropy Fellowship, and 2010 DiverseCity Fellowship. Tanya gratefully acknowledges the Anishinaabe, Mississaugas and Haudenosaunee nations, whose traditional territory she is a settler and responsible steward of.

 

Nicole McVan is a strategic non-profit leader with 20 years of experience in Canada and abroad. Their experience spans many areas including corporate philanthropy, individual and community-based giving, volunteer development, national event management, and alumni giving. They are currently the Vice President, Philanthropy & Marketing at United Way Greater Toronto.

As a white, able-bodied, transgender and non-binary person, Nicole uses an anti-oppressive lens in building philanthropy and marketing plans to work with and for communities. Nicole regularly speaks and writes on the topic of equity, privilege, and power dynamics for fundraising publications and at conferences and learning events.

Nicole volunteers their time in the community, including on the Board at Inside Out Film festival - an organization committed to the promotion and exhibition of film made by and about LGBTQ+ people of all ages, races and abilities. They hold a master’s degree in Non-profit Marketing and Fundraising from City University of London and is currently working on a certificate in Community Engagement, Leadership and Development at Ryerson University to build their knowledge of how to work with and for communities for lasting change.

Nicole is grateful to live and work on the traditional territories of the Mississauga and Haudenosaunee nations and acknowledges their role as a treaty person to reconcile and rebuild the relationship between indigenous peoples and settlers on Turtle Island.

This work will continue. Together we must contribute to building a strong community of practice. If you would like to participate in this work or have question for Tanya and Nicole please reach out to them on Linked In. Here: Tanya Hannah Rumble, CFRE (she/her) and Nicole McVan, MA (they/them)

As always thank you so much for making this conversation a priority in your busy day. Together we will continue to build a more fair, just and unified community for each other and those who follow. Please remember to share, like or subscribe to this podcast so that more people will get the opportunity to hear. See you next time!

Episode 24 -Philanthropy Revolution

One of the reasons Lisa Greer is awesome is because she cuts right through small talk and digs into real talk about real issues, particularly with respect to the charitable sector.

For those of you who haven’t had the opportunity to know Lisa she is an entrepreneur, investor and Philanthropist. Lisa has served on dozens of high-profile volunteer boards, founded two healthcare related companies, as a Hollywood executive she managed a variety of entities and pioneering ventures. She is a mother of five and lives with her husband Josh and their two youngest children in Los Angeles.

In her book Philanthropy Revolution and in this conversation Lisa shares experiences that are an embarrassment for the charitable sector. Then Lisa takes it one step further and shares practical steps we can all take to do better.

You can learn more about Lisa or buy her book by following these links:

Philanthropy 451 Blog: https://philanthropy451.substack.com/

Buy Lisa’s book here https://www.lisagreer.com/

Lisa thank you so much for making this conversation a priority. And thank you all for being here today.

Please remember to like, subscribe, and share this podcast. Let’s keep building community together.

Episode 23 - Anti-Oppresive Communication

Are you an Anti-Oppressive Communicator?

What does anti- oppressive communication even mean?

How can we move beyond the supremacy of the written word and use oral storytelling to engage communities and shine a light on critically important issues to advance the rights of women and other marginalized people in Canada and around the world?

This week we welcome Andrea Gunraj to The Hub. Andrea is Vice President of Public Engagement at Canadian Women's Foundation. She has 20 years of experience in community-based programming and communications and a passion for innovative public education and non-profit leadership for social change. She has worked with several organizations in the areas of equity, inclusion, systemic anti-racism/anti-oppressive practice, human rights policy and practice, gender-based violence prevention and intervention, housing and homelessness, and more.

The next time I chat with Andrea I am going to be sure to talk to her about how she is also a published author of fiction and non-fiction and holds a Master’s in criminology from the University of Toronto. In the meantime, let’s all be sure to subscribe to the Canadian Women’s Foundation podcast: Alright, Now What.

I loved getting to know Andrea better during this conversation and I think you might enjoy it as well. Here are the links to some of the organizations and resources Andrea mentioned:

• METRAC Action on Violence
• The Circle on Philanthropy and Aboriginal Peoples in Canada
• Decolonizing Wealth: Indigenous Wisdom to Heal Divides and Restore Balance (Book by Edgar Villanueva)
• Women in Law and Development in Africa - Wildaf Ghana

And finally, If the issues of the decolonization of philanthropy, community centred fundraising, and the need for our sector to make radical changes seem to be recurring topics on this podcast. If social justice and collective action are topics you enjoy you may want to listen to some of these other episodes:

Episode 20: It’s time to get uncomfortable with Liz LeClair
Episode 16: Community or Donors: Who’s Right? With Jay Frost and George Zeno

Episode 22: Scaling Connected Communities with Anne Gloger

We would love it if you would help more people find this podcast by liking, subscribing, and sharing this podcast. If you do that even more people will be able to engage in conversation with us on these and other important topics.

Thank you so much for making this podcast a priority in your busy day.

Episode 22 - Scaling Connected Communities

How do we create a social infrastructure that enables us to bounce forward to a more equitable intentional, meaningful and community centred processes?

What does that sentence even mean?

It simply means that the expertise non-profits are looking for often lies within the communities that they exist to serve.

When a community comes together to design the space and services they need systemic issues like poverty, homeless and hunger can finally be solved.

Mind blowing right? Not really. And not really a new concept either, Anne Gloger has been doing this work for over twenty years.

Anne is the founding Director at East Scarborough Storefront and Principal at the Centre for Connected Communities. Since 2000, Anne has worked at the East Scarborough Storefront, pioneering collaborative solutions to complex issues in an inner suburban community in Scarborough, Ontario. Out of this work has emerged a new approach to community development, the Connected Community Approach (CCA).

CCA is a values/asset based community development framework that supports the use of creative processes to support grassroots groups, social service agencies, artists, architects, urban planners, environmentalists, academics, municipal actors and others to co-create initiatives that foster meaningful change in their communities.In her role as Principal, Anne provides leadership to a dynamic, diverse, and creative team of community development professionals.

Anne has won several awards for her pioneering work in Connected Communities, including the Jane Jacobs prize, the Courage to Lead Award, the William P Hubbard Award for Race Relations, Leading Women Building Communities, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal, and Vital People and we are thrilled to welcome her into The Hub.

The bottom line? Anne is calling for a paradigm shift. Let’s stop taking care of vulnerable people and let’s start building connecting communities that help the people in those communities thrive.

Anne thank you so much for sharing your energy, your enthusiasm, and your work with us. 

Folks remember, please like, subscribe, review and share this podcast so that more people get a chance to hear it. Thank you for making time with us a priority in your busy day.

Centre for Connected Communities

East Scarborough Storefront Theory of Change document

Openly

Ontario NonProfit Network: Leveraging the Power of Networks

Let’s keep building community and making connections.

Episode 21 -The Reluctant Fundraiser

Many smaller organizations are founded to solve a problem in society and often do not have a full time fundraiser. In fact, a lot of people in those organization actively try to avoid the F- Word. Fundraising is often perceived as “icky” and ignored.

In a world where fundraising is so misunderstood, Cindy Wagman has dedicated her career and her recent book to helping people who are reluctant to ask for money become fundraising super stars without…as she says…selling their soul.

Cindy Wagman is the President and CEO of The Good Partnership. She sees fundraising as a tool for change. Cindy has a degree in Women’s Studies from Queens University, an MBA from the Rotman School at the University of Toronto and over 15 years of fundraising experience. The Good Partnership to empowers small nonprofits to have more fundraising success so that they can fund their important work.

In this episode Cindy, helps us learn how to help reluctant fundraisers shift their mindset about fundraising to overcome the barriers to active participation in generating revenue for their charity.

Cindy’s new book “Raise It! The Reluctant Fundraiser’s Guide to Raising Money Without Selling Your Soul” is available for pre-order right now. Just visit https://www.raiseitbook.com/ and be one of the first to get it!

Please remember to like, subscribe, share, review and join the conversation and community at intersectionhub.ca. See you next time.