Workshops 2023
Concurrent workshops will be running in the morning and in the afternoon. Participants will have the opportunity to attend one workshop in each block.
No need to sign up! Workshops are first come, first served. Volunteers will help you find the workshop locations at St. John’s High School.
Morning Workshops
10:45 am – 12:00 pm
Vital Signs 2023, a research project of The Winnipeg Foundation, found that as a society, we have lost confidence in the social systems designed to support and protect the wellbeing of citizens. The non-profit sector is on the frontlines and filling the gaps of that system failure.
Our panelists sit down with our moderator to talk about how actions of an individual and organization can change a seemingly insurmountable system, for the better.
Panelists: Sky Bridges, David Kron, Louise Simbandumwe
Moderator: Michael Barkman, CCEDNet-Manitoba
Organization: The Winnipeg Foundation, Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba, SEED Winnipeg
Level: All levels
This workshop is for community leaders, staff, and volunteers working in the nonprofit and social justice sector. The objective is to help participants develop and promote inclusive dialogue and practice that embraces multiple cultures, backgrounds, and identities through the use of storytelling.
Amna Burki, Patlee Creary and Cate Friesen take you on a journey where you experience a folktale in the same way generations before us experienced it, from the mouth of the teller to the ears and hearts of those gathered. Storytelling transports you to a different place and time where you can experience the characters struggling with a dilemma, lack of resources, social problems, and apathy from those who have much and want more. We will use story to dive deeper into what we face as communities, as non-profits and those in the social justice field. How can storytelling empower us to collaborate, cooperate and celebrate our human condition and find collective solutions to our challenges?
Speaker: Cate Friesen, Amna Burki, and Patlee Creary
Organization: The Story Source, StoriesMatter, and Reyou Mindfulness Collective
Level: All levels
When Jolene (Jojo) Wilson thinks of what anchors community, she thinks of her Anishinaabe teachings. Jojo is the Restoring the Balance Coordinator for West Central Women’s Resource Centre, as well as the knowledge keeper. During this time, participants are invited to join Jojo as she shares teachings about walking in a good way. For folks like Jojo who support community members and relatives, her teachings and ceremonies anchor and guide her work. She’ll share more about how folks doing community work anchor themselves in Anishinaabe teachings as a guide for their heart work. Note that smudging will be occurring during this session.
Speakers: Jolene Wilson
Level: All levels
Join us for an engaging and interactive workshop, “Anchoring in Community: Igniting Innovation and Collaboration for Food Systems Transformation.” In this dynamic session, we’ll explore the transformative power of innovation and collaboration in community building. Through real-world case studies, hands-on activities, and thought-provoking discussions, participants will delve into the heart of driving positive change within their communities.
Discover techniques for sparking creative thinking, such as brainstorming, mind mapping, and reverse thinking, and witness firsthand their application to innovative food systems solutions. Engage in a mini brainstorming session to address real community challenges and opportunities, and witness the collective power of diverse perspectives.
Prepare to be inspired, share insights, and forge connections with fellow community builders. Together, we’ll shape a future of resilient and sustainable food systems, anchored in collaboration and innovation.
Speakers: Olivia Boyce
Organization: Brandon Food Council
Level: All levels
Social enterprise is a powerful business model to tackle the challenges our economy and communities are facing today. Buy Social Canada has released new research to show how social enterprises are taking on many social and systemic challenges simultaneously, while running successful businesses and creating positive financial outcomes for their employees and communities.
Join this session to learn:
- What social enterprise is
- Social enterprise stories of success in Winnipeg
- How to support social enterprises through social procurement
With the tools of the social value marketplace we can take back control from the invisible hand of capitalism, build a movement for community capital creators across the country, and centre community in the economy.
Speaker: Niamh O’Sullivan
Organization: Buy Social Canada
Level: All levels
In today’s polarized world, navigating non-partisan campaigning in a way that builds collective power is an important part of building meaningful change. Yet it’s something that organizers from the recently launched Consider Climate, Manitoba campaign have found challenging. From policies to politics, not everyone who believes in the importance of climate action agrees on the best approach, which makes communicating the scale of the climate crisis as well as solutions to address it complex. How can we come together amidst these differences to create the meaningful change so many of us want to see?
In this workshop, climate organizers will share what they’ve learned about polarization and politics, and how that has informed their approach to community engagement. Our hope is that attendees will leave with a greater understanding of how to communicate about the climate crisis in a way that builds both community and climate action.
Speaker: Bethany Daman, Adrian Werner, Hannah Muhajarine
Organization: Climate Action Manitoba
Level: All levels
All too often we see spaces and programs focused on one identity or another, without acknowledgement of the diversity each individual holds. In this session, we will learn from each other’s lived experiences to develop a better understanding of how complex and diverse human experiences are, and explore ways we can better support those who may be excluded from the spaces meant to serve them.
Speakers: Bre Calma and Nix Calma
Organization: Fieldwork Consultation & Training
Level: All levels
The presentation on digital citizenship emphasizes the critical role of justice-oriented citizenship in today’s digital age. It highlights the significance of being responsible, respectful, and ethical digital citizens who actively contribute positively to online communities. Participants will learn how digital platforms can be used to promote social justice, combat misinformation, and foster inclusivity.
The presentation also underscores the crucial need for media literacy and fact-checking in an era of information overload. Attendees will gain practical skills to discern credible sources, identify fake news, and critically evaluate online content. By empowering individuals with these tools, the presentation aims to equip them to make informed decisions, combat misinformation, and promote digital environments based on truth and fairness.
Speaker: Dr. Christy Reed
Organization: The Manitoba Association for Rights and Liberties
Level: Introductory
Climate change impacts disproportionately affect communities that have high rates of poverty, Indigenous-identified residents, newcomers, and other marginalized identities. Manitoba Eco-Network is working to support three neighbourhood renewal corporations to identify climate change risks specific to their communities. They will use this information to develop projects that will help residents to prepare for extreme weather and navigate struggles with energy poverty.
In our workshop, we’re going to provide a snapshot of our work up to this point. You’ll have an opportunity to learn something new, share your ideas, and take a climate adaptation lens back to your organization. We hope to provide a place for you to explore these ideas with your fellow participants, to discover common concerns about climate change, and to expand our understanding of what climate adaptation means for Winnipeg.
Speaker: Alexandra Caporale and Sue Hemphill
Organization: The Manitoba Eco-Network
Level: All levels
Cooperatives have a long and important history in Manitoba, with communities members deciding to anchor together to create sustainable, collective owned, and locally committed CED enterprises. Now, there are over 275 cooperatives and credit unions in Manitoba with over 1 million memberships.
In this session, participants will learn about the co-op model and how it can be used to build strong, resilient communities. Participants will also learn from our panelists about different kinds of co-ops and what makes them special.
Speakers: Vera Goussaert, Daisydee Bautista, Craig Gilpin
Organizations: Manitoba Co-op Association, ANAK Publishing Worker Co-op, Red River Co-op
Level: Introductory
What are the assets, resources, and positive influences that exist in your community today? How can a focus on strengths shape how you approach community development? This session will invite participants to envision the “ideal” community and consider how an asset-based approach can get us closer to that vision. We will introduce key principles and terms of asset-based community development, exploring how to identify and amplify strengths to build community.
Participants will be invited to think of what their organization is doing and can do to build toward a more ideal community and implement “ABCD” practices.
Speaker: Julie Chamberlain
Organization: Department of Urban and Inner-City Studies at the University of Winnipeg
Level: Introductory
Afternoon Workshops
2:45 pm – 4:15 pm
This panel discussion will center community voices and food security projects that go beyond service delivery, looking outside of the traditional ways we typically think about “food security”. It will address questions such as:
– How can we bring more food security options to existing community spaces, businesses, organizations, programming, and other resource hubs?
– How can we divest from the charity service model, and invest in grassroots models that actively involve the community in participating in their own food security needs?
– How can we think about food security as a pathway towards capacity building, change making, and increased participation for all community members in their own neighborhoods?
– How can we use food security work as a way to bridge the gap between service providers, people who need to access emergency food programming, food producers and farmers, business owners, and others, recognizing that we’re all community members?
We hope to leave participants inspired to think about food security in new ways, seeing the various complexities of how the panelists are trying to work creatively inside and outside of our current systems. This workshop will include practical and tangible calls to action.
Moderated by Food and Beverage Manitoba, in collaboration with Fireweed Food Co-op’s Food
Security Coordinator, Jill Beauchamp.
Moderator: Katie Daman, Food and Beverage Manitoba
Panelists: Jill Beauchamp, Demian Lawrenchuk, Julia Kraemer, Alex Kohut, Alejandra Diabb
Organizations: Firewood Food Co-op, Food Matters MB, Leftovers Foundation, Cal’s Crops
Level: All levels
For community builders, accessibility is often seen as one of the more challenging forms of inclusion. Inclusivity and accessibility often align with our values, but many of us are left out of the conversations of what that can look like in community spaces. As community builders working in this space, MLPD wants to shift that conversation. We’re looking to anchor conversations about accessibility and inclusion as a collaborative process where we can embrace uncertainty to move forward.
This session is proposed as a fun and informative process to explore our understanding of accessibility and inclusion. We imagine participants will have some of their own questions about ableism, sanism, and accessibility legislation that can be discussed here. We’re also looking to have conversations about what inclusion can look like in our communities, and how developing a mindset of accessibility and inclusion can drive change forward towards social and economic transformation.
Speakers: Melissa Graham, Debby McLeod, Sheryl Peters, and Allen Mankewich
Organization: Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities
Level: All levels
Join us in exploring Winnipeg history exclusively through the impactful development and resistance work of Indigenous organizations. Based on research done for a newly released book titled Indigenous Resistance and Development in Winnipeg: 1960-2000, presenters will share how many organizations were created out of a need for Indigenous-led services in Winnipeg.
Learn from the histories of the Indian and Métis Friendship Centre, Children of the Earth and Niji Mahkwa schools, The Indigenous Women’s Collective of Manitoba: Dibenimisowin (We Own Ourselves), the Ma Maw Wi Chi Itata Centre, The Native Women’s Transition Centre, and Two Spirited People of Manitoba (among others!)
How did these organizations form? What challenges did they face? What successes in their resistance did they achieve? How can the lessons they learned be implemented today?
Speakers: Kathy Mallett and Dr. Shauna MacKinnon
Organization: Manitoba Research Alliance
Level: All levels
Imagine a world where companies go beyond a financial bottom line and are guided by the impact they want to make in our communities. As our communities grapple with challenges like escalating inequality, systemic racism, and climate change, companies are seeking to create value that’s good for business AND good for our community. There is a global network transforming the global economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet.
This workshop will discuss the role of United Way of Winnipeg’s Social Purpose Institute, the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, the global B Corp Certification community, and showcase some local Manitoba companies using business as a force for good. You will walk away with a deeper understanding of how business can leverage more of their resources, build a stronger bond between business and community, and create a financially more successful business in the long-term.
Speaker: Brendan Reimer, Sarah Duval, and Sanjana Vijayann
Organization: Assiniboine Credit Union, United Way Winnipeg, Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce
Level: All levels
A new social enterprise has been developed by HMF which responds to the unique experiences, challenges, and needs of newcomer Muslim women in Winnipeg.
This session will be conducted to share our experiences about idea conceptualization, initial activities, overcoming challenges, and launch.
Speakers: Humaira Jaleel, Rubab Fatima, Amna Iqbal, and Afsheen Siddiqui
Organization: Healthy Muslim Families
Level: All levels
We need innovative resources and funding to really nurture and grow community building efforts here in Manitoba. But talking about finance and funding can feel remote and confusing against the day to day concerns of community building.
At this workshop, build your comfort with this part of our CED field by joining a conversation about why community builders should care about social finance. Social finance models aims to unlock more resources for socially innovative work. Finance is a tool towards social change, not an end in itself. It can be used to support important work building more sustainable, equitable, and inclusive communities. We also know that the world of investment and finance has often been a source of inequality for various people and communities. Part of being able to imagine a future where our collective goals are realized is making sure that financing change can be as equitable, democratic, and fair as possible.
Speaker: Mike Toye and Sarah Leeson-Klym
Organization: Canadian CED Network
Level: Intermediate
Most people have good intentions… but are they truly enough? Discover the hidden impact of microaggressions in this workshop aimed at transforming good intentions into culturally aware actions and words.
This workshop will look at :
- What are microaggressions?
- What is the impact on work, family and everyday life?
- What are the pain points that communities face when it comes to microaggressions?
This important workshop begins with this quote by Maya Angelou : “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” We believe we can do better in creating welcoming and safe spaces in our communities.
Speaker: Robyn Penner Thiessen and Amna Burki
Organization: Robyn Penner Thiessen Consulting
Level: All levels
Rural communities face difficullt challenges when it comes to a number of community needed projects or challenges. These include business succession and establishing needed social services to support their community. With limited resources and limited funding opportunities, communitiues must be creative in their approach to dealing with these challenges.
As a CED person, Wendy works with communities to address the direction in which they want to grow and empower them to work for themselves to solve their challenges. It might mean a cooperative model or social enterprise model or simply making them aware of partners that could work with them to help. Wendy works with and stays with communities as a constant resource and support to watch their work turn to success.
Speaker: Wendy Peterson
Organization: Community Futures Westman
Level: All levels
A brief history of Artbeat Studio and how it started. Our mission and vision and how being creative helps with your mental health. What mental health is and how it affects everyone. How Artbeat, being in our 19th year now, handled changes with new management, the pandemic, and adapting to the changing world around us. How Artbeat and its innovative programs and workplace management is the first of its kind factoring in mental health for everyone in order to create safer spaces and individual empowerment.
There will be examples and anecdotes through out the session. Q&A to follow.
Speakers: Uyen Pham
Organization: Artbeat Studio
Level: Introductory
CED in small populations is a completely different prospect than in larger centers. This presentation covers the 10 major differences, and how we address these differences in small population communities (2500 and under).
This is an important presentation for those working in community economic development in communities that do not have the resources or the tax bases of larger ones.
Speakers: Lorri Matthewson
Organization: Matthewson & Co.
Level: All levels
Get together with your peers by playing some ice-breaker, relationship-building, fun and silly games! This activity-focused session is about connecting with new folks, getting to know those you don’t already, and having a good laugh.
Participate as much or as little as is comfortable for you in the games, or just come hang out!
Games may take place outside! Dress for the weather.
Speakers: Kelsey Guyot
Organization: Heartwood Healing Centre
Level: All levels
As a MLA, Marianne learned things change for the better when community is at the table, and she saw her job as opening the door of industry and government so community could come to the table. This workshop explores community government collaboration, how partnerships demonstrate public support and build from the grassroots to take advantage of community expertise and lived experience.
We will discuss build CD/CED understanding with more elected reps can build political will for social innovation; for co-creation and negotiating our relationship with government. We can examine from the Manitoba Social Innovation Policy and the Offices of Community Engagement as a foundation, then look at tools from the Reweaving Support Project and other initiatives.
Speaker: Marianne Cerilli
Organization: Marianne Cerilli – Change Agent
Level: Intermediate