Purposeful Purchasing: Let Your Money Do the Talking

Posted by ECVO Associate Director, Shawna Gnutel

We've all heard the expression

money talks.

Last month, the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce hosted its first Annual Nonprofit Week (Nov 17-20). I was particularly attracted to a seminar ad entitled "Purposeful Purchasing" which read, "Let your money speak for you and watch businesses buy into your mission."

Guest Speaker Maggie Vilvang from (2010 Legacies NOW) is part of a consortium of disability missioned organizations in Vancouver BC known as accessWORKS. Maggie began her talk by explaining what Purposeful Purchasing was NOT.

1. It was not bulk buying.
2. It was not asking you to change where you buy stuff.
3. It was not about asking you to act more like a business.


Instead, Purposeful Purchasing is about moving away from a conventional charity model and moving toward 


acting more like a nonprofit
with spending power.


The Purposeful Purchasing Initiative is about disability missioned organizations in British Columbia "recognizing that every dollar spent, if spent with purpose, will advance the economic inclusion of people with disabilities." (Please read the background paper. )

According to StatsCan, social service agencies in Canada spend over 3.6 billion dollars annually. These organizations buy houses, cars, office supplies, groceries, janitor services, computers. YOU NAME IT!

So then doesn’t it make sense to position yourself as a consumer with a mission? To get started, organizations need to conduct a spend/supplier analysis- how much is being spent and where. Once that's completed you can send the supplier a letter and ask them to do a questionnaire/self assessment to rate themselves and their commitment to becoming a disability confident business.  

According to Maggie, building disability confidence in the supply chain is one of the main goals. And THINK ABOUT IT... there's no better time than during an economic downturn. Why wouldn't businesses be motivated to keep their customers satisfied and happy?

REALLY REALLY HAPPY :)

At its heart, Purposeful Purchasing uses spending as a strategy to advance mission and social change. The main inspiration for Purposeful Purchasing is based on the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games (VANOC)
Buy Smart Program. The ultimate priority in VANOCs "sustainability purchasing" procurement policy, is to buy smarter, greener and with more social consciousness. So far, benefits to local communities has been substantial. Between 2003 and summer 2008, VANOC spent $1.8 million with inner-city businesses and organizations.

So whether you are an organization or a supplier, Purposeful Purchasing makes good business sense. 

And on that happy economic note, it's time to take action and usher in 2010 as an engaging year of empowerment, opportunity and positive change for you and your community.

For more information about Purposeful Purchasing, feel free to contact Maggie Vilvang: mvilvang@2010LegaciesNow.com.

 

Happy International Volunteers Day (Dec. 5)

Posted by Lynn Ferguson, Programs Director


Thanks to my parents, volunteering has always played a significant role in my life.

When I was a young girl, my father coached both our track and field and baseball team.  He also volunteered on the board for the Kinsmen Club of Edmonton and posthumously, was recognized by the Minister of Sport and Fitness for his contribution to the development of amateur football referees in Alberta.


My mother was and still is, equally involved with volunteering. When I was growing up, she was an Assistant Coach in baseball and helped the Mother's Day Annual Tennis Tournament for our community league. Today she teaches ESL in Canmore, Alberta.


As I reflect today on National Volunteer Day, it raises the question,


"isn't everyday a volunteer day for somebody?"


The answer of course is yes!

I have been an active volunteer for several years, especially when my two boys were involved. There are endless volunteer opportunities when you are a parent!

For example, I've chaired the Parent Association and worked as Children's Program Director with our community league. I've been the parent rep for our playschool and I've coached and managed many sports.  I've volunteered for special events and activities. I would add that even if you are not a parent, there are many excellent reasons to volunteer:


-meet new people and connect in a meaningful way to your neighborhood.
-give back to the community. 
-share skills to make life better for yourself and others.

What has really kept me volunteering for the past 25 years is that I have enjoyed it tremendously!  I remember a former school principal saying, "if you have a job you love to do, you will never work a day in your life." For me, volunteering has been much the same experience.


My children are also learning the important value of the gift of time as they carry on our family tradition of volunteering.  Every summer they work as camp counsellors and help out in the community, sports and school. In conversations with others who donate their time and talents it is often said that they usually get back far more than they give.

I stand by that thought.

Years later, I am working at the ECVO and see on a daily basis the extraordinary work accomplished by the nonprofit/voluntary sector in Edmonton. Often nonprofits have few paid staff, so volunteers (who wear many hats) are essential to ensure the success of the organization. Not only are volunteers out on the front lines where they are visible but there are countless others working behind the scenes. 


So, please celebrate National Volunteer Day (Saturday December 5) and take a moment to express your gratitude and say thank you to an outstanding volunteer! Please check out http://www.getinvolved.ca/ a national campaign that asks for Canadians' time, not money to make a difference in 2010.