CultureLink Board Orientation

1. CultureLinkBoard Orientation Ibrahim Absiye Executive Director

2. Today’s Session • (A) Agency Overview • History • Organization Structure • Management & Administration • Funding & Finance • HR/Union/Collective Agreement • Programming • Local Settlement Strategy – where CultureLink is an active member • CL Strategic Direction • (B) CultureLink Current Programs • Employment Services • Community Connections • Newcomer Services Program • Youth & Seniors Services • Green Settlement

3. (A) Agency Overview

4. i. CultureLink History • 1988 – CL began service delivery – Metro Toronto Host Program • 1992 – was incorporated as a non-profit agency • 1994 – name changed to CultureLink • Subsequent years – Established of Youth Project(NYC), Settlement Education Partnership in Toronto (SEPT), Job Service Workshop (JSW), • 2008 – Library Settlement Partnership (LSP) Services to serve newcomers in selected libraries • Today - 2 major programs HISTORY

6. iii. Management & Administration • Management Team • Executive Director, Program Director, Program Managers • Administration • Executive Director, Executive Assistant, Program Director, Program Managers, Administration Assistants

7. iv. Funding & Finance • Funders • Citizenship & Immigration Canada (CIC) • Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration (MCI) • City of Toronto • United Way Toronto (UWT) • The Ontario Trillium Foundation • Service Canada • Human Resource and Skills Development Canada HRSDC) • Ontario Health Promotion & Sport • Toronto Community Foundation • Finance

8. V. HR/Union/CA • Union • CL became unionized since 2005 • CAW - Canada Local 40 • Collective Agreement • April 2005 – March 2009; April 2009 – March 2012 • Working with the Union • Labour Management Committee (Board & Staff) • ED, Personnel Director, managers (staff)

9. V. HR/Union/CA • HR Management • Responsibilities • Policy making and implementation (HR policy revised in 2011) • Recruitment, orientation, placement, training and evaluation • First contact with Union to handle staff issues • Bargaining for employment terms

10. vi. Programming • Modernized approach introduced by CIC in 2010, resulting in major program restructuring; • Currently, we have: • CIC funded programs • 1) Employment Services (JSW) • 2) Community Connections (SWIS, CCMP, LSP) • Other programs • NSP (ROMA) • NYC & NSC • Green Settlement Initiatives

11. vii. Local Settlement Strategy – CultureLink is an active member • Partnership & Coordination (CL Program Expansion Committee) • Labour Market & Employment (CL employment services, Employment Mentorship program) • Language Services (CL English Conversation Cycle) • Service regarding less status (NSP targeting Roma, NYC) • Health Services (Cycling project/Green Settlement, Chinese Coalition on Healthy Living) • Mental Services (Bridge program, partnering with Canadian Mental Health Association and Hong Fong Mental Health, Newcomer Seniors’ Centre) • Youth & Children & Families (Newcomer Youth Center)

12. Strategic FrameworkImplemented after an extensive consultation.

13. VISION STATEMENT We envision a welcoming community where all stakeholders are united in supporting the successful settlement and empowerment of newcomers in Canada through pertinent information, employment preparation, education, training and friendship.

14. MISSION CultureLink is dedicated to facilitating the independence and full participation of newcomers in Toronto’s diverse community. This is done by: • Enhancing skills that promote self-sufficiency; • Promoting positive interactions with and understanding of newcomer communities; • Providing innovative programming to meet the changing settlement needs of newcomers and volunteers; and • Promoting the well-being of all participants.

15. CultureLink works within a non-discriminatory framework to ensure a respectful, safe, and inclusive environment.

16. Our Believes and Principles At CultureLink we are committed to: • Working within a social justice/anti-oppression framework that demonstrate our respect for newcomers, volunteers and each other; • Providing quality programs that are client centred and results oriented; • Being accountable; • Engaging in continuous learning and improvement to ensure that our programs and services remain responsive.

17. STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS • Diversified Funding • Promotion and Branding • Organizational Capacity Building • Measurement and Evaluation • Program and Service Expansion

18. (B) CultureLink Current Programs • Employment Services • Community Connections • SWIS • CCMP • LSP • Newcomer Services Program • Roma • Youth & Seniors Services • Green Settlement

19. Board Expectations Roles and Responsibilities

20. 20 Board'sGovernanceRole: Represent the community's interest withinthe organization. • Direction • Legal • Financial • Fundraising • Planning • Programs • Efficiency and impact

21. Board's Support Role: Represent the organization's interests in the community • Fundraising • Public Relations and community contacts • Volunteerism • Advisory • Reputation This is done by: