Social Enterprise Catalyst was a series of events designed to showcase, support and inspire the social enterprise sector here on Vancouver Island. The inaugural events were hosted in the Capital Region and took place in April and May 2014:

• Social Venture Breakfast, April 2

• Impact Investing in BC, April 2

• Social Enterprise Catalyst Gala, April 2

• Wine & Cheese, May 13

• Day of Learning, May 30

Catalyst defined social enterprise as

• Addressing a cultural, social and/or environmental need is the principal goal of the organization, which serves the common good through its products and services or through offering employment to people who face barriers to mainstream employment;

• Commercial activity is a strong revenue driver, whether a significant earned income stream within a nonprofit’s mixed revenue portfolio, or as a for-profit enterprise;

• The common good is its primary purpose, literally ‘baked into’ the organization’s DNA;

• Surpluses and profits are principally reinvested for its social, cultural and/or environmental mandate.

s e C a t a l y s t Summary of Events J u n e 2 0 1 4w w w . s e c a t a l y s t . c ai n f o @ s e C a t a l y s t . c a

535 Attendees 24 Partners5 Events

One Proclamation of Month for Social Enterprise… a Success!

BC Government proclaimed April to be the

were showcased through Social Enterprise Catalyst

One goal was to demonstrate what is already happening on Vancouver Island, and the possibilities for social enterprise to make both economic and social impact in our communities. We created a highly visible event where three local social enterprises could pitch their business opportunity in front of a supportive crowd and a panel of expert judges. Local enterprises were also included in the Offer-tunity Fair at the gala event, were speakers at the Social Venture Breakfast, and presented lessons learned at the Day of Learning.

15 local social enterprises

Showcase

Two of our local social

enterprises spoke at the

provincial press conference.

Times Colonist, our media

partner, did a feature article on

social enterprise.

Month for Social Enterprise

What is a social enterprise ‘eco-system’?

Social Enterprise Catalyst events highlighted the available resources to support the development and expansion of the social enterprise sector. The Catalyst partners are all key parts of the social enterprise eco-system, and committed to build this partnership network as we move forward. Partners in a healthy social enterprise eco-system include financial institutions, funders, mentoring organizations, educational institutions, onsultants, small businesses and social enterprises

Eco-system for Social Enterprise

For social enterprises to launch, grow and thrive on Vancouver Island, there needs to be an eco-system of supports that include: funding, financing and investment; technical assistance and knowledgeable advisors; a strong market; training and education; procurement; and leadership network. We have many of these elements in place and need to strengthen others.

Month for Social Enterprise

One of SE Catalyst’s goals was to strengthen and support individual social enterprises to build capacity and access resources.

The Gala BC Biodiesel Co-op, Habitat for Humanity and Robert Bateman Centre each presented a compelling ‘ask’ to our panel of judges at the Gala event. The $25,000 cash and $40,000 technical assistance awards were allocated according to need. This support will help each of these organizations to strengthen their financial and social impacts.

Support

“Social Enterprise Catalyst provided an incredible opportunity for our new business to frame what we do in the context of the social value we provide. It allowed us to speak directly to an incredibly engaged audience, and to get feedback from many smart, caring people. The consulting services and funds that were awarded have put us in a strong position to launch a new nature based education program for local grade 3-8 students this fall.” Aimee Ippersiel, Robert Bateman Centre

The Day of LearningThe Day of Learning brought together non-profits thinking about social enterprise alongside already operating enterprises. The program focused on delivering practical and relevant knowledge and lessons learned.

“The lessons learned session was good - examples were useful and discussion was at a high level”

“Social enterprise 101 was excellent; Assessing Your Business idea… brilliant! Big thank you to all the people who fed us and cleaned up…”

“It was a good overview of the main aspects we need to be aware of before going down this path”

InspireSpeakers and Conversations Just some of the themes that came up…

Joel Solomon of Renewal Funds was the keynote speaker for Social Ventures Breakfast and Social Enterprise Catalyst Gala. He spoke to the increased social license to operate and connection to community. We were reminded as to why we do this work and, in light of our children, the importance of social and environmental impact. We were inspired to innovate and create, and that social and economic impact together, make a powerful combination.

Paul Lacerte opened the Day of Learning at Royal Roads by acknowledging the tension between social and economic impact. In his work with the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, he has a front row seat to the change undergoing in communities across BC as people everywhere try new models to address the social issues we are facing. He spoke to the space between economic value and social impact, and how all sectors have a role to play, and in fact, need each other.

“Michael Ableman is incredible! He is an example of innovative for-profit with a social impact! I was glad to stay until 5:10 to hear his story.”

Michael Ableman brought the house down with his story of SoleFood Street Farms and his pictures of transforming derelict spaces in Vancouver’s downtown eastside into lush green farms while employing people who face barriers to employment. He shared with candor the challenges of operating this social enterprise, the things that keep him up at night and the vision that takes him to work each morning.

At the Wine and Cheese, Shelley McNellis, Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation, reflected on the Month for Social Enterprise series of events and the tension between for-profit social ventures and non-profit social enterprises. Both sectors are finding their way into the blended value space, yet often come from different cultures, mindset, legal and ownership structures, tolerance for risk and expertise. How do we frame conversations so that they learn from each other’s experience and we grow the blended value space together, while acknowledging the different contexts that these enterprises operate within?

Colleen McCormick, Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training, spoke about powerful and resilient networks, and how to maintain momentum as we move forward. She called on all of us to continue to break down silos, find opportunities to work together and build trust through relationships.

Ian Powell from Inn at Laurel Point shared his perspective that environmental sustainability is a must-have for any business operating, and the next step is for businesses to deeply integrate their actions and operations into community and towards social impact.

These are just some of the people who stood up to share their story and perspective. We cannot possibly capture the hundreds of conversations and inspiration generated over a glass of wine and some cheese, during the Gala break or outside in the sun during lunchtime at the Day of Learning.

Thank you to our Partners...

What next? “We were very fortunate to have been as chosen as one of the three social enterprises presenting at the Social Enterprise Catalyst event and the benefits of participating have far exceeded our expectations. The exposure to the public, corporate and political audience was incredible. Connecting with the companies who so generously contributed to our prize package has been a great experience for us and has already fostered a greater level of engagement with our organization than the original award! Being able to capitalize on their knowledge and expertise and apply it to our social enterprise will have many positive – and compounding – impacts on our organization.” Yolanda Meijer, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity

Social Enterprise Catalyst has a three-year plan to continue to support, showcase and inspire social enterprise and to support the growth of the sector on Vancouver Island. In 2014/15, we will support events and conversations in the Capital Region as well as further up-Island.

gala

Social Enterprise Catalyst is a collaboration of partners who guide the direction and planning. There is definitely an interest in showcasing more for-profit social ventures. There are more conversations to be had around bridging the conversation between for-profit and non-profit enterprises. And, we need to look at innovative ways to fill in the eco-system gaps. If you would like to be involved or become a partner, contact info@secatalyst.ca.

thankyouWe have many people to thank!

Thank you to everyone who organized, volunteered or presented at the events:

Social Venture Breakfast • Organized by Roy Brooke (Consultant), Jill Doucette (Synergy Enterprises)

and Kristi Fairholm Mader (Consulting) • Presenters: Lee Herrin (Fernwood NRG), Ian Powell (Inn at Laurel Point),

Susan Tychie (Share Organics) • Keynote: Joel Solomon (Renewal Partners)

Impact Business • Organized by Sarah Amyot (Community Social Planning Council), Elizabeth Lougheed Green (Vancity Credit

Union) and Shelley McNellis (MSDSI) • Facilitated by Catherine Etmanski (Royal Roads University) • Presenters: Andy Broderick (Vancity Credit Union), Rupert Downing (Community Social Planning Council),

Brenda Kuecks (Ecotrust Canada), David Lepage (Accelerating Social Impact), and Joel Solomon (Renewal Partners)

Social Enterprise Catalyst Gala • Organized by Sarah Amyot (Community Social Planning Council), Emily Beam (Vancity Community

Foundation), Deidre Campbell (Tartan Group), Kristi Fairholm Mader (Consultant), Elizabeth Lougheed Green (Vancity Credit Union), Colleen McCormick (BC Government), Rebecca Pearson (Vancity/ BC Government), Ashley Roder (Vancity Credit Union), Heather Skydt (United Way), Tara Todesco (UVic) and Richard Tuck (Riipen)

• Enterprise Coaches: Peter Elkins (KICK Victoria), Susan Low (Community Social Planning Council) and Mia Maki (UVic)

• Presenters: Minister Don McRae (MSDSI) and Joel Solomon (Renewal Partners) • Pitching Organizations: Minister Don McRae (MSDSI) and Joel Solomon (Renewal Partners) • Pitching Organizations: BC Biodiesel Co-op, Habitat for Humanity and Robert Bateman Centre• Offertunity Fair Participants: Synergy, Raven Wireless, Fernwood NRG, Green Business Certification,

Lifecycles, Permaculture BC, The Green Kiss and Sunset Labs • Volunteers: Sarah Rose (Synergy), Kelsey Singbeil (Acumen Communications) and Michelle Colussi (CCBE)

Wine and Cheese • Organized by Leslie Brown (UVic), Michelle Colussi (Consultant), Kristi Fairholm Mader (Consultant),

Colleen McCormick (MJSDT) and Shelley McNellis (MSDSI) • Presenters: Shelley McNellis, Colleen McCormick

Day of Learning • Organized by Paul Corns (Royal Roads University), Kristi Fairholm Mader (Consultant), Elizabeth Lougheed

Green (Vancity Credit Union), Lisa Mort-Putland (Volunteer Victoria) and Catherine Schissel (United Way of Greater Victoria)

• Keynotes: Paul Lacerte (BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres), Michael Ableman (SoleFood Street Farms)

• Presenters: Kim Buksa (enterprising non profits), Roy Brooke (Consultant), Geoff Archer (Royal Roads University), Elizabeth Lougheed Green and Stewart Anderson (Vancity Credit Union), Michelle Colussi (Consultant), Lee Herrin (Fernwood NRG), Sandra Hamilton (Consultant), Kristi Fairholm Mader (The Cleaning Solution), Gordon Gunn (KPMG), Garth Yule (Demonstrating Value), Kristi Rivait (Oaklands Community Centre), Lise Richard (Redbird Communications) and Kira Gerwing (Vancity Credit Union)

“Parliament Buildings Welcome to Victoria” Photo credit Toursim Victoria and Deanne Gillespie