The Spring Showcase

The Spring Showcase celebrates Spring’s impact-driven community of entrepreneurs and the startups they’ve built. This is an interactive event where we open our doors to showcase the startups through storytelling, demo tables, food, drinks, and more! Come out and mingle with our alumni and hear what they have to say about their purposeful businesses!

Spring Showcase #2: Startup Stories & Demos

When: Wednesday, June 7th from 6-9PM

Where: CodeCore Bootcamp – 142 W Hastings

Cost: Free with registration

Registration link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-spring-showcase-2-startup-stories-demos-tickets-34262055731

The Spring Showcase is an excellent opportunity for:

  • Aspiring entrepreneurs to network and learn more about how Spring can help you
  • People with a wide range of skills to find a company you’re passionate to work with
    Investors to find a new rising star to invest in
  • Entrepreneurs to meet each other and share best practices and learnings over their journey of starting a business
  • Entrepreneurs looking to meet Spring partners who can help you grow your business

PeaceTalk May 18: Reconciliation through Indigenous Innovation

Date: Thursday, 18 May 2017Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM PST

HiVE Vancouver, 128 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC

FREE event, refreshments provided. (Donations go towards a stairlift for the HiVE!)

RSVP on Eventbrite or Facebook

DESCRIPTION

Canada has not yet come to understand the powerful contribution Indigenous people have, and will continue to make, once access to digital and connected technologies is made possible and equitable. As the original innovators and technological experts on these territories since the time of our indigenous ancestors, we can only imagine what advancements will be designed and implemented by our nations best and brightest minds. How may we understand reconciliation in this context? What initiatives are already on this sharp edge of social change? How can we deepen our commitment to fair access, reconciliation and reconciliation through innovation?


PANELISTS

DENISE WILLIAMS (technologycouncil.ca), Executive Director of the First Nations Technology Council, is Coast Salish from Cowichan Tribes on Vancouver Island. She is an advocate for social justice and has spent her career seeking out opportunities to play a role in the advancement of Indigenous sovereignty. She is known for her early involvement and leadership in new and innovative initiatives addressing reconciliation and economic development leveraging technology and within the technology space. For the past ten years Denise has worked under the mandate of First Nations communities and leadership in British Columbia to address specific capacity building efforts in education and technology. She has worked federally, provincially and locally with a genuine approach to collaboration and partnership development that builds strong networks capable of moving critical initiatives to the forefront. Denise has an MBA from Simon Fraser University and specializes in social enterprise business development.

ALEXANDER DIRKSEN (alexanderdirksen.com): A proud Métis policy wonk, Alexander is passionate about helping to craft an inclusive and equitable future for our country through the meaningful advancement of reconciliation. Currently based at Reconciliation Canada (Government Relations and Stakeholder Engagement) and the Banff Forum (Operations Manager), Alexander has also served as a nonprofit consultant on projects for SFU RADIUS and as a researcher at the Centre for Global Research at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. Alexander holds an M.A. in Global Affairs from the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto and a B.A. (with Honours) in International Studies from Simon Fraser University.

JEFF WARD (animikii.com) is the founder and CEO of the technology company, Animikii Indigenous Technology (Animikii). Jeff is a proud Manitoban – Métis and Ojibwe on his father’s side and European on his mother’s side – but now resides in Victoria, BC and works on the traditional territory of the Songhees People. Jeff is a serial entrepreneur; he’s launched a variety of businesses and his track record as an entrepreneur reaches back to his high school years. Jeff first launched Animikii in 2003 and has orchestrated and managed its growth ever since. He is passionate about technology, entrepreneurship and building mutually-beneficial partnerships. Everything he does in business is geared towards supporting and uplifting his family, his communities and the Indigenous population of Canada overall.

Please RSVP for this event at: peacetalks.eventbrite.com.

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Get Free Tech Help with the RED Academy Community Partner Program

Are you involved in an organization that could use some tech help? Do you have a secret side-hustle, and it’s time to explore making it your full-time hustle? Do you have a great idea that could have a huge impact? Apply to RED Academy’s Community Partner Program to receive tech projects from their students. You get free, deserving work, and the students graduate with impactful portfolios. Ready? Deadline to apply for our Summer Cohort is June 2nd.

Apply now at redacademy.com/community-projects. More information first? Email andee@redacademy.com.

Job Posting: Full Stack Web Developer for New/Mode in Vancouver

New/Mode is seeking an experienced full stack web developer in Canada to assist in developing and maintaining a suite of Drupal-based tools that help purpose-driven organizations foster change. 

If you are interested in Drupal and other open source technologies, and are excited at the prospect of building a product that uses emerging technologies with an aim to make the world a better place, please apply.

We live in troubling times, where people are increasingly losing trust in democratic institutions.  All of us have a responsibility to reimagine and rejuvenate democracy so that governments work in the interest of those most impacted by their decisions. New/Mode is a social enterprise that’s reimagining democratic engagement in the digital age. We help causes empower their supporters, influence decision-makers & win campaigns. Our aim is to power democratic participation wherever the open Internet exists.

Learn more at: https://jobs.drupal.org/newmode/job/14050

Please send a CV and cover letter to develop@newmode.net. The inclusion of github and drupal.org usernames is appreciated.

May #Tech4Good Events in Vancouver

Hey friends, there’s lots of great events for the nonprofit tech community. Check ’em out! Or for the latest updates join our group on Facebook and follow us on twitter at #Net2van.

NETSQUARED VANCOUVER EVENTS

Most NetSquared events are free, so don’t be shy – come join us!

How to Manage a Scattered Nonprofit Team

When: Tuesday, May 2
RSVP: https://www.meetup.com/net2van/events/237887095/

Do you work with remote volunteers and/or staff? Are you having trouble working effectively? Or perhaps you have a routine that works, but would like to improve the experience? Nejeed Kassam, Founder and CEO of Keela.co, will cover the best practices that make remote team management effortless!

Changemakers Summer Potluck

When: Tuesday, June 20
RSVP: https://www.meetup.com/net2van/events/237861519/

Full Spectrum Civic Engagement

When: Tuesday, July 11
RSVP: https://www.meetup.com/net2van/events/239111794/

In these turbulent times those of us working to make the world a better place need to ensure our civic engagement work is as effective and impactful as possible. We need to empower our supporters to make change like never before and in the process rejuvenate democracy.

In this session award winning civic engagement specialist Steve Anderson will go through what he calls “Full Spectrum Engagement” through tangible case studies and essential best practices you can implement in your next campaign. Steve will talk about how leading digital rights organization OpenMedia and others have used this sophisticated form of civic engagement to grow and deepen communities leading to tangible campaign victories.

EVENTS FROM OUR COMMUNITY FRIENDS

Here’s a selection of upcoming learning opportunities specifically for nonprofits. If you have a suggestion for our next monthly event email us at info@net2van.com.

We also recommend you check out the workshops from our friends at Vantage Point and Ladies Learning Code, Camp Tech, Red Academy, Groundswell, and Spring.

The New Societies Act: What You Need to Know

When: Wednesday, May 10
RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-new-societies-act-what-you-need-to-know-vancouver-tickets-33914198280

This workshop will provide your society with the information it needs on whether to make any bylaw or policy changes necessary for your society to transition to effectively function under the new Act.

Tractionforce 2017

When: May 11
RSVP: http://www.tractionforce.ca/

TractionForce is back for a fifth year! We’ve been doing this long enough now to know what you’re looking for in a cloud technology and business transformation conference. For months, we’ve been thinking about how we can make this the most informative – and valuable – experience for you.

EXPANDED NON-PROFIT TRACK
Supporting non-profits is a huge part of what we do. That’s why we’ve built out the non-profit portion of TractionForce. Non-profits will enjoy keynote and customer panel sessions specifically geared toward them.

Kelowna: Societies Act Transition Workshop

When: Thursday, May 11
RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/societies-act-transition-workshop-kelowna-tickets-33973922918

There are more than 27,000 non-profit societies in BC, providing services and programs that touch virtually every citizen. All pre-existing BC societies need to transition to the new BC Societies Act. The Act includes many significant changes. There is a two-year transition period by which time all societies in BC will have to have filed a transition application. This workshop will provide your society with the information it needs on whether to make any bylaw or policy changes necessary for your society to transition to effectively function under the new Act. This workshop is organized for societies in the Central Okanagan who have registered with the Central Okanagan Transtion Hub. It is delivered by one of our trained mentors, and is free to registrants.

A free day of learning: Data Intelligence and Online Transaction Best Practices

When: Tuesday, May 16
RSVP: https://www.meetup.com/BCBlackbaudUsers/events/239341669/

We are pleased to welcome Omatic Software and iATS Payments to share expertise on Data Intelligence and Fraud Prevention. Bring your most challenging questions to a Wildcard Session with Cathy Michitsch & Sandy Fiddis.

Our May 16th event is open to all non-profit organizations, as this learning opportunity goes far beyond Blackbaud products – please extend this widely among your non-profit peers & bring a guest!

Quesnel: The New Societies Act: What You Need to Know

When: Friday, May 19
RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-new-societies-act-what-you-need-to-know-quesnel-tickets-34094911799

There are more than 27,000 non-profit societies in BC, providing services and programs that touch virtually every citizen. All pre-existing BC societies need to transition to the new BC Societies Act. The Act includes many significant changes. There is a two-year transition period by which time all societies in BC will have to have filed a transition application. This workshop will provide your society with the information it needs on whether to make any bylaw or policy changes necessary for your society to transition to effectively function under the new Act.

Stewardship Across Demographics (Professional Development Breakfast)

When: Thursday, May 24
RSVP: https://www.meetup.com/Association-of-Fundraising-Professionals-Vancouver-area/events/239132542/

Are you stewarding Millennials differently than Baby Boomers? Join us for a panel discussion featuring donor relations experts from WE Charity, BC Cancer Foundation and David Suzuki Foundation, who will share how they are re-thinking their stewardship practices now and for the future. You’ll walk away from our session with a better understanding of how donors from different generational cohorts engage in philanthropy, and how you can steward their gifts accordingly.

The New Societies Act: What You Need to Know – Vancouver

When: Wednesday, June 7
RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-new-societies-act-what-you-need-to-know-vancouver-tickets-33914626561

This workshop will provide your society with the information it needs on whether to make any bylaw or policy changes necessary for your society to transition to effectively function under the new Act.

Kelowna: Societies Act Transition Workshop

When: Thursday, June 8
RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/societies-act-transition-workshop-kelowna-tickets-34011086074

There are more than 27,000 non-profit societies in BC, providing services and programs that touch virtually every citizen. All pre-existing BC societies need to transition to the new BC Societies Act. The Act includes many significant changes. There is a two-year transition period by which time all societies in BC will have to have filed a transition application. This workshop will provide your society with the information it needs on whether to make any bylaw or policy changes necessary for your society to transition to effectively function under the new Act. This workshop is organized for societies in the Central Okanagan who have registered with the Central Okanagan Transtion Hub. It is delivered by one of our trained mentors, and is free to registrants.

Introduction to Project Management for Nonprofits

When: Saturday, June 17
RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/introduction-to-project-management-for-nonprofits-tickets-33514797662

The objective of this workshop is to introduce Non-Profit leaders to the practice of project management. You will learn how project management can assist you in successfully planning and completing initiatives through the use of basic project management tools and processes.

Psychology for Digital Behavior Change – Vancouver (2-day Workshop)

When: November 14-15, 2017
RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/psychology-for-digital-behavior-change-training-week-vancouver-registration-30143121889

Over two days, you will learn the most mission critical lessons in digital psychology, and gain mastery in recognizing and applying over 40 principles of persuasive design psychology. By the end of this workshop, you will be able to reverse-engineer the psychological patterns behind the world’s most successful websites, apps, ads and social media. You will also know how to translate psychological strategies into creative content, and understand how to optimize impacts over time.

Emotion & Motivation for Digital Behavior Change – Vancouver (2-day Workshop)

When: November 16-17, 2017
RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/psychology-for-digital-behavior-change-training-week-vancouver-registration-30143121889

This 2-day workshop provides participants with a deep understanding of emotional design, by covering the essential lessons in the psychology and neuroscience of user emotion, motivation, cognition, and behavior. This workshop focuses on interactive design and content strategies aimed at evoking positive emotions, and design patterns that will help you avoid accidentally triggering negative user emotions. By the end of this workshop, you will know how to build emotionally rewarding websites, mobile apps and digital campaigns. You’ll also gain a deep understanding of emotional design strategies that will help you win your users’ trust, shape their habits, and form long-term relationships with your brand.

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Got a nonprofit tech event that should be in the next newsletter? Let us know! Tweet at us using the hashtag #net2van.

FREE TECH HELP

Free Tech Work at RED Academy

RED Academy is looking for suitable organizations to get free digital work done by our students! Our students specialize in digital marketing, user experience design, user interface design, front-end web, and application development. Apply at https://www.redacademy.com/community-projects or email andee@redacademy.com

Free Consulting with The Community Corps

The Community Corps connects nonprofits and schools to free online help from skilled tech volunteers from top companies who can assist with technology related projects. Volunteers can help with training on software like Excel and Salesforce to updating websites, or providing unbiased advice on a hardware or software purchase. To get started create your account and post a request for tech help.

COMMUNITY INITIATIVES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Free Geek Vancouver

Free Geek is a nonprofit community organization located in East Van that reduces the environmental impact of waste electronics by reusing and recycling donated technology. Through community engagement we provide education, job skills training, Internet access and free or low cost computers to the public. We’ve got electronics at the same price as Craigslist, but with a warranty. http://freegeekvancouver.org

AirBNB Social Impact Experiences

TechSoup has partnered with AirBNB to offer a new ways for nonprofits to build awareness and raise Funds. Social impact experiences give Airbnb guests a chance to learn more about your mission and causes — and have some fun along the way.

AirBNB is looking for Vancouver nonprofits to pilot their new experiences fundraising program. If you know a nonprofit that would be a good fit let me know and I’ll make an intro to the Vancouver AirBNB rep. Nonprofits can list social impact experiences and receive 100% of the funds.

Learn more about the opportunity here: http://info.techsoup.org/airbnb/

JOBS AND VOLUNTEER POSTINGS

Digital Engagement Specialist at Ecojustice

Full details are here: https://ecojustice.applicantpro.com/jobs/

Changemaker Summer Potluck BBQ

The event returns this July and Eli and Ajay need your help!
We are looking for committee members who want to help lead the following roles:

  • Wrangling the musicians and BBQ DJ
  • Facilitating games! Start the group in a game of frisbee or bocce ball.
  • Communications – drafting social media and email invitations to our communities. We have the lists, but we need a writer!

If you’re interested please email eli@net2van.com or schedule me for a 15 call.

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If you have a job to share reach out on Twitter using the hashtag #net2van or post to our free jobs board.
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Data Intelligence and Online Transaction Best Practices – Free Event May 16

A free day of learning: Data Intelligence and Online Transaction Best Practices

The BC Blackbaud Users Group is pleased to welcome Omatic Software and iATS Payments to share expertise on Data Intelligence and Fraud Prevention. Bring your most challenging questions to a Wildcard Session with Cathy Michitsch & Sandy Fiddis.

Our May 16th event is open to all non-profit organizations, as this learning opportunity goes far beyond Blackbaud products – please extend this widely among your non-profit peers & bring a guest!

AGENDA

8:30 am   Coffee Talk and Networking

9:00 am   Welcome.  Master of Ceremonies, Brian Dowling, SVP Finance & Information Systems, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation

9:15 am to 10:15   Data Intelligence = Mission Possible, Bailey Benzlé, Principle Sales Strategist at Omatic Software

Ever wonder how you can leverage data intelligence to enable greater outcome from your organization’s mission? Join us as we explore the oh-so-important journey from collection of data to its use within educated, efficient fundraising.  

10:15 or 10:30   Break

10:30 am   Don’t let the bad guys win! PCI Compliance & Fraud Prevention for Nonprofits, Andrew Mosawi, President of iATS Payments

Are you trying to wrap your head around PCI security requirements, how to securely manage payment card data and what types of credit card fraud to watch out for? During this session you will learn more about the implications of PCI-DSS requirements, best practices around securely storing credit card data and how to put tools in place to prevent costly (and frustrating) credit card fraud at your organization.

11:30 am  Wildcard SessionTry to stump local experts with your questions, Cathy Michitsch & Sandy Fiddis

12:30 pm to 1:30 pm   Networking Lunch courtesy of iATS Payments

1:30 pm to 2:30 pm  Breakout Sessions, deep dive into details

a) ImportOmatic Connector for Luminate Online demo & RELO conversation

b) Cathy Michitsch & iATS team – Payment processing questions & technology planning to accommodate recent Raiser’s Edge versions 7.95 / patch 3 and 7.96. How to implement these upgrades.

Our Sponsors & Speakers

Bailey Benzlé – Principle Sales Strategist, Omatic Software

Bailey is the Principle Sales Strategist at Omatic Software, and a long-time member of the not-for-profit community.  Starting as a Raiser’s Edge end user almost twenty-years ago, she went on to spend a near decade working for Blackbaud prior to her transition to Omatic.  When Bailey is not using her experience to explore strategic solutions, she’s going on adventures with her precocious five-year old daughter, Murphy. 

Omatic Software – Beverage Sponsor

Simply put, Omatic Software focuses on extending, automating, and integrating. Our goal is to help nonprofits better utilize resources by providing innovative tools to eliminate tiresome and manual processes, while creating automated and efficient workflows resulting in more time and cost savings. We understand nonprofits and work to make their jobs easier. In essence, we develop products to help put nonprofit’s manual processes on auto-pilot, allowing them to keep costs low and focus on their mission.

Andrew Mosawi – President of iATS Payments

Andrew has over 15 years’ experience serving nonprofits around the world through technology and payments. He was instrumental in setting up the partner network at iATS, and helped grow the company to over 10,000 nonprofit clients and 100 partners globally. In addition to his experience at iATS, Andrew was Vice President of International Business Development at Blackbaud, where he led the company’s global expansion through targeted investment, strategic partnerships and acquisitions. Andrew is dedicated to serving nonprofits as a donor, volunteer and advisor. He sits on several nonprofit boards as well as being a trustee of a family foundation.

iATS Payments – Lunch Sponsor

iATS Payments is dedicated to the nonprofit sector. As the leading provider of credit card, direct debit and ACH processing services, we service over 10,000 nonprofit organizations around the globe with the most secure payment processing solutions. We pride ourselves in simplifying the payment process, regardless if you are a small or large organization. Your focus is donations and raising awareness for your cause. Our focus is providing payment solutions that make donations easy and worry-free, saving you time and money.

iATS is proud to integrate with Blackbaud’s nonprofit products to accept donations online via credit card and direct debit, both in Canada and the United States.

Cathy Michitsch – President & CEO, Senior Raiser’s Edge Consultant, Michitsch Systems Inc.

Cathy has been supporting non-profits in the Lower Mainland since 1992.  Her expertise includes Raiser’s Edge & Income Manager Fundraising Database Consulting, Crystal Reports Design & Development; Project Management for Fundraising Database Implementations, Data Conversions, training and she is a Blackbaud Certified Raiser’s Edge Professional – bCRE(Professional).

Sandy Fiddis – part time Data Control Specialist at Canadian Cancer Society, BC & Yukon & part time Consultant, Michitsch Systems Inc.

Computer Systems professional with over 15 years experience administering Raiser’s Edge databases. Accustomed to providing timely, comprehensive reports and mailing lists; overseeing gift processing staff; liaising with accounting staff and supporting development staff as needed.

Michitsch Systems – Snack Sponsor

TechSoup has partnered with AirBNB to offer a new ways for nonprofits to build awareness and raise Funds. Learn more at http://info.techsoup.org/airbnb/

AirBNB is looking for Vancouver nonprofits to pilot their new experiences fundraising program. If you know a nonprofit that would be a good fit let me know and I’ll make an intro to the Vancouver AirBNB rep. Nonprofits can list social impact experiences and receive 100% of the funds.


Social impact experiences give Airbnb guests a chance to learn more about your mission and causes — and have some fun along the way.

You choose where your social impact experience takes place and who leads it — be it a staff member, a board member, or a volunteer.

 

Your Price

You have complete control over how much your social impact experience costs, and you can change the price whenever you want.

Experiences can take place on a single afternoon or over the course of a few days. What experience you offer is entirely up to you.

Airbnb Social Impact Experiences

Social impact experiences give Airbnb guests a chance to learn more about your mission and causes — and have some fun along the way.

https://www.airbnb.ca/experiences/social-impact

What Could You Do with a Social Impact Experience?

Experiences can take place on a single afternoon or over the course of a few days. What experience you offer is entirely up to you.

Get Your Supporters Involved

From urban farming to dog walking, engage guests with a hands-on experience that benefits your organization.

Educate, Inform, and Enlighten

Arts workshops, collaborative projects, and behind-the-scenes tours give guests a chance to learn something new and gain a greater appreciation for your cause.

Do Something Fun!

Outings and city explorations are a great way to connect guests to your cause in a social setting while introducing them to the broader community.

Case Studies

Free Geek Vancouver: Refurbished Computers and Electronics for Nonprofits and Community Groups

Free Geek is a nonprofit community organization located in East Van that reduces the environmental impact of waste electronics by reusing and recycling donated technology. Through community engagement we provide education, job skills training, Internet access and free or low cost computers to the public. We’ve got electronics at the same price as Craigslist, but with a warranty. http://freegeekvancouver.org

Free Geek Vancouver is a unique feature of the trendy East Van landscape. Growing over time to fit the needs of a mixed urban center, Free Geek has developed a strong relationship with the community and groups within it. While Vancouver strives towards a vision of a greener tomorrow, our recycling centers only break down electronics into components.

Free Geek Vancouver is different in that we refurbish computers and electronics in order to provide them at no cost to non-profits, schools, community groups, and our volunteers. We  provide high quality, low cost computers and electronics to members of the public in our thrift store at 1820 Pandora St, Vancouver. We also differ in that all of our broken-down materials end up being recycled ethically and as locally as possible so it doesn’t get shipped to a country with lower health and safety standards.

We are a safe, inclusive, and friendly space for volunteers to learn about computer hardware, to gain valuable experience, and to acquire references. We use the stuff you don’t want, to support others in a sustainable way.