Intersections is a two-phase project that seeks to enhance the vitality and sustainability of rural Alberta communities by effectively engaging immigrants in vital roles in non-profit/voluntary sector (NPVS) organizations.
The Intersections project aims to:
- Enhance the diversity of NPVS organizations and their leadership in rural Alberta.
- Increase the capacity of NPVS organizations to achieve their missions by increasing volunteer involvement and including more diverse perspectives and skill sets.
- Change policy and practice to enhance ethno-cultural diversity in rural NPVS organizations.
- Ensure immigrants are integrated more quickly and smoothly into their rural Alberta communities.
- Develop stronger networks between NPVS organizations and immigrant-serving organizations (ISOs).
- Increase awareness of and access to the tools and resources available to NPVS organizations
Phase 1
During the first phase of the Intersections project (2008–2010), which focused on the operational level of NPVS organizations in eight rural communities, several activities took place:
- Research was conducted regarding immigrant experiences with volunteerism in rural communities.
- Networks were built to connect ISOs with other community sectors such as the arts, recreation and health. These networks also facilitated community engagement and enhanced the integration of immigrants through volunteerism.
- The project team worked with volunteer centre coordinators (or designated staff members) to enhance their current volunteer management practices, so they could more effectively engage immigrants in their community.
- Intercultural learning modules (ILMs) were developed and piloted.
- The project team facilitated regional training sessions for NPVS organizations to develop their expertise in ethno-cultural volunteer engagement.
- Volunteer centres in each community hosted the pilot project, were involved in supporting the participants, and engaged in the learning to cultivate their own capacity building expertise.
Phase 2
Intersections 2 (2010–2012) focuses on the ways organizational governance and policy development can be used to build more welcoming, inclusive organizations and communities. It builds on the key learnings of Intersections 1. (See Appendix 1.)
Intersections 2 also involves a training component which will engage NPVS boards and senior managers in the organizational change process. These leaders will participate in awareness raising workshops, dialogue with immigrant-serving organizations and cultural groups, participate in individual and group learning on inclusive non-profit governance, and complete individualized assessments and strategic implementation plans. The Intersections 2 guide will support this work and provide practical strategies for supporting the work of diverse teams.
By supporting individuals, organizations, service providers, and communities to embrace diversity, Intersections represents the possibilities and the potential for engaging all of the available talent, experience, and passion in a community.
The goal of Intersections is to support NPVS leaders, through increased intercultural competence, to plan, recruit, and work effectively in diverse teams and effectively engage all members of a community.
This guide builds on the efforts of people from a variety of fields: intercultural communication, volunteer engagement, board development, generative governance, integration, and welcoming communities. It does this by:
- Helping boards increase their intercultural competence through culturally inclusive practices.
- Increasing awareness of the many ways cultural diversity can influence organizations on an individual and group level.
- Focusing attention on the ways cultural knowledge and culture-based skills can be used to build trusting, more inclusive organizations.