COVID-19 Resources

COVID-19 Resources

Resources and Information for Nonprofit & Voluntary Organizations

In March of 2020, when restrictions began in Nova Scotia and we all collectively prepared for the COVID-19 pandemic to reach our province, Impact Organizations of Nova Scotia (IONS) began curating resources, hosting virtual meetings, and collecting data to support the Sector as we collectively navigate in these uncertain times. We hope the information below will be helpful and if you would like more information or have other ideas for how we can work with and for you please let us know.

Recorded Sessions

Missed the live session? All the recordings of our past sessions are available to access below!

Capacity Sustaining

COVID-19 Webinars for the Sector

Open Forums

Hosted by the NS Nonprofit COVID-19 Coalition

Capacity Sustaining: COVID-19 Webinars

Some strategies on how to find even ground for your organization during this crisis

These webinars are a joint collaboration between Impact Organizations of Nova Scotia (IONS) and the speakers, who have made themselves available to the sector to address some of the most pressing professional and personal concerns prompted by this COVID-19 crisis.

Our emphasis here is on Capacity Sustaining. The interplay between our roles in our communities and families, our obligations to our organizations and staff well-being, etc. creates a unique set of challenges for leaders and staff in a sector that is so values driven. We hope to open dialogue about how we can continue to fulfill missions, anticipate emerging challenges, address emerging regulatory shifts, while making space to also examine some strategies for better understanding the range of impacts on nonprofit workers and our communities by facilitating a dialogue around the often neglected emotional and spiritual realities that emerge in a crisis such as this.

Session 1:

What Do I Do With My Benefits Program During COVID-19?

Session 2:

Adjustments to Fundraising Activities and Plans

Session 3:

Sharing Mi’kmaw perceptions, protocols and teachings

Session 4:

Planning for a Post COVID-19 Future: A Prosocial Approach

Session 1: What Do I Do With My Benefits Program During COVID-19?

Session Recording:

What Do I Do With My Benefits Program During COVID-19?

WITH NICK MOMBOURQUETTE

In this session Nick Mombourquette will help you better understand employee benefits provisions as they pertain to layoffs, what should be communicated to employees, premium deferrals, and when to contact your insurance advisor for help.

THIS SESSION WAS RECORDED ON APRIL 21, 2020

Speaker:

Nick Mombourquette
New Ground Financial Inc.

Session 2: Adjustments to Fundraising Activities and Plans

Session Recording:

Adjustments to Fundraising Activities and Plans

WITH DAVID OYLER

The presentation will cover topics relevant to the current environment with an emphasis on getting feedback from the webinar participants on ways they are handling their own situations and to share information. Topics will include special events, annual campaigns, and eligibility for the federal wage subsidy.

THIS SESSION WAS RECORDED ON APRIL 21, 2020

Speaker:

David Oyler
Olyer Consulting

Session 3: Sharing Mi’kmaw Perceptions, Protocols and Teachings

Session Recording:

Sharing Mi’kmaw Perceptions, Protocols and Teachings

WITH JEFF WARD

Jeff will be sharing views, teachings and songs regarding Spirituality awareness that challenges mainstream beliefs and misconceptions in a safe and good hearted way.

THIS SESSION WAS RECORDED ON APRIL 23, 2020

Speaker:

Jeff Ward
Membertou Heritage Centre

Session 4: Planning for a Post COVID-19 Future: A Prosocial Approach

Session Recording:

Planning for a Post COVID-19 Future: A Prosocial Approach

WITH RONALD PIZZO

What do you want your organization to look like when life returns to normal after this COVID-19 disruption? How are you coping with the current crisis? What lessons have you learned so far and where do you want to go from here? These are some of the questions we may explore with the Prosocial Matrix communication process.

THIS SESSION WAS RECORDED ON APRIL 24, 2020

Speaker:

Ronald Pizzo
Pink Larkin

NS Nonprofit COVID-19 Coalition Open Forums

WHen it was established, a key initiative of the Coalition was to connect subject matter experts with sector leaders who are working on the frontlines while at the same time trying to understand and interpret new information, new funding programs, and changing policies and legislation. 

The Coalition offered a series of closed sessions for only sector leaders on topics related to issues of concern to them such as human resources management and leadership. The Coaliton also offered some that were open to anyone in the sector on topics such as recovery planning and how to respond to emerging social policy issues and more.

Supporting the Nonprofit Sector to Navigate the Next Phases of COVID-19

January 18, 2021

Unfunded: How Black Communities and Organizations are at a Funding Disadvantage

February 28, 2021

Navigating the 3rd Wave: Sector Q&A with Dr. Strang

May 19, 2021

Kepmitelsi: Being Two-Spirit in a Colonial World

June 21, 2021

Supporting the Nonprofit Sector to Navigate the Next Phases of COVID-19

Session Recording:

Supporting the Nonprofit Sector to Navigate the Next Phases of COVID-19

WITH DR. ROBERT STRANG

Dr. Robert Strang, Chief Medical Officer of Health, Province of Nova Scotia, will talk about the next phase of COVID-19 and what we can expect in the coming months. Dr. Strang will offer insights, advice and guidance to help nonprofit sector leaders as they continue to support their staff, clients, volunteers and communities. Following Dr. Strang’s presentation, he will take questions.

THIS SESSION WAS RECORDED ON JANUARY 18, 2021

Speaker:

Dr. Robert Strang
Cheif Medical Officer of Health, Province of Nova Scotia

Unfunded: How Black Communities and Organizations are at a Funding Disadvantage

Session Recording:

Unfunded: How Black Communities and Organizations are at a Funding Disadvantage

WITH RUSTUM SOUTHWELL, SYLVIA PARRIS-DRUMMOND, SHARON DAVIS-MURDOCH, AND LIBAN ABOKOR

In honour of African Heritage Month we are hosting an Open Forum panel discussion with a focus on funding inequities faced by black communities and organizations in Nova Scotia. A recent report from Carleton University and the Network for the Advancement of Black Communities called “Unfunded” found that public and private foundations in Canada are underfunding Black-serving and Black-led community organizations. Building from this research, panelists will discuss their experience and perspectives and how they can be better supported.

THIS SESSION WAS RECORDED ON FEBRUARY 23, 2021

Speakers:

Rustum Southwell
Chief Executive Officer, Black Business Initiative

Sylvia Parris-Drummond
Chief Executive Officer, Delmore “Buddy” Daye Learning Institute

Sharon Davis-Murdoch
Co-President of the Health Association of African Canadians

Liban Abokor
Executive Director, Youth LEAPS

Navigating the 3rd Wave: Sector Q&A with Dr. Strang

Session Recording:

Navigating the 3rd Wave: Sector Q&A 

WITH DR. ROBERT STRANG

After over a year of navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, for many Nova Scotian’s, the third wave feels different. What are the implications for the community sector in this third lock-down? What are the considerations and supports for organizations? Hosted by the NS Nonprofit COVID-19 Coalition, Dr. Strang shared relevant supports and advice for the sector through a live Q&A session. 

THIS SESSION WAS RECORDED ON May 18, 2021

Speaker:

Dr. Robert Strang
Cheif Medical Officer of Health, Province of Nova Scotia

Kepmitelsi: Being Two-Spirit in a Colonial World

Session Recording:

Kepmitelsi: Being Two-Spirit in a Colonial World

WITH JOHN R. SYLLIBOY

This Pride Month and Indigenous History Month, we invite you to join us on National Indigenous People’s Day, June 21st, for an insightful discussion and presentation! This session will focus on the experience of being Two-Spirit in a colonial world and how a nonprofit navigates colonial structures and Indigenous ways of working.

THIS SESSION WAS RECORDED ON JUNE 21, 2021

Speaker:

John R. Sylliboy
Consultant & Researcher, Co-founder of Wabanaki Two-Spirit Alliance (W2SA)