Here are some online resources related to strategic planning and governance and others that you can use to keep your eyes on the edge.
Strategy
Henry Mintzberg: Cleghorn Professor of Management Studies at McGill University; writes and researches strategy, management, leadership, and forms of organization. Interesting articles and books.
Developing a strategic plan: a self-study module that provides an overview of planning process elements and activities.
Governance
BoardMatch Fundamentals: Helps place knowledgeable and enthusiastic volunteers on the Boards of charitable organizations
BoardSource: Practical information, tools and best practices, training, and leadership development for board members of nonprofit organizations
CompassPoint’s Board Café: electronic newsletter for nonprofit board members to help them give and get the most out of board service
Corporate and Insolvency Law Policy: Primer for directors of non-profit corporations (includes rights, duties and practices)
DiverseCity onBoard: connects qualified candidates from visible minority and under-represented immigrant communities with governance positions. Great recruiting tool for non-profit organizations that aim to diversify their board.
Institute on Governance: Explores, shares and promotes the concept of good governance in Canada
Social Sector Research – what’s changing in our communities
Social Planning Toronto: studies the impact of public policy on Toronto residents’ social and economic well-being. Reports on how the political environment impacts quality of life for all Torontonians.
Vital Signs – The Toronto Community Foundation: the Foundation aggregates research and issues an annual report card on the quality of life in Toronto.
Wellesley Institute: Toronto-based non-profit and non-partisan research and policy institute. Publishes useful reports related to housing, health care, economics, and immigrant health.
Non-profit Sector and Social Innovation
Ashoka: creating a national/global network of Social entrepreneurs (fellows). Their site offers a variety of resources and supports related to social entrepreneurship.
Centre for Social Innovation: Toronto’s virtual and physical social innovation hub – with news about developments related to social innovation.
Ontario Nonprofit Network (ONN): The network monitors what is happening in Ontario’s nonprofit sector, and strives to enhance communications within the sector, and build bridges between the sector and government, business and other stakeholders.
Social Innovation Generation (SiG) at Waterloo: Now housed in the Waterloo Institute for Social Innovation and Resilience, SiG researchers publish reports on various aspects of social innovation, with a focus on Canadian examples.
Stanford Social Innovation Review: great articles, many of which are focused on the non-profit sector. Also podcasts and webinars.
Inspiration, Entertainment and Learning
RSA animate: informative lectures on various topics animated by amazing graphic visualizations; also articles. UK-based RSA is the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce.
Tamarack Audio Seminars: interviews and dialogues with thought leaders on various topics.
TED talks: provocative presentations on a wide range of topics by thought leaders in various disciplines. Great for stretching your thinking beyond the world you work in everyday.
Looking for a GREAT book related to the work you do?
Please see Recommended Reading on our website.