our services
Strategic Planning
Description: Engaging leadership and interest holders in a process of discussing vision, mission, values and priorities - How will the world be different because of our work? Then, developing a comprehensive plan to make it happen.
Components: The process is as important as the outcome. The strategic planning process is customized to fit the culture of the organization and the depth of the strategic plan. There are typically four phases:
Phase I
Interest Holder Engagement and Internal & External Analysis Process Possibilities: café conversations, appreciative inquiry discovery session’s, blogs, on-line surveys, distributed facilitated sessions, focus groups
Phase II
Strategic Plan Formulation Process Possibilities: leadership and staff involvement in refreshing/renewing vision, mission, values and determining strategic directions
Strategic Plan Formulation Process Possibilities: leadership and staff involvement in refreshing/renewing vision, mission, values and determining strategic directions
Phase III
Implementation Plan Process Possibilities: action plans, strategy mapping, logic models
Implementation Plan Process Possibilities: action plans, strategy mapping, logic models
Phase IV
Evaluation Creation of an eStrategic Plan
Evaluation Creation of an eStrategic Plan
Organizational Development
Description: As with every dynamic system, organizations live, breathe, change and need to be nurtured and stretched. Organizational Development is the process of enhancing organizational capacity so that the organization can more fully live out its mission, fulfill its goals and benefit its community
Components: There are many components to Organizational Development. The process begins by listening attentively to the needs of the organization. The goal is to gather information, assess the current state of affairs and develop a plan to reach an organization’s preferred future.
These tools include:
● Facilitated Conversations
● Discovery Sessions/Summits for Staff
● Organizational Capacity Assessment
● Organizational Culture Assessment
● Organizational Development Assessment
● Personality & Preferences Tools
● System Audits
● Work-Time Analysis
● Staff Satisfaction Surveys
● Client/interest holder Surveys
The best results of Organizational Development occur when staff is fully engaged in the process.
The development of the plan is based on the results of the initial dialogue and analysis.
Collaborations & Partnerships
Description:
Through the years, communities have learned that pooling resources together and working collaboratively can bring about greater results for clients, streamline services and use resources more effectively. Partnerships, by their very nature, represent a sustained commitment to move forward together to reach a common objective. However, the process of collaboration and partnerships functions optimally when the process is facilitated and clear guidelines for the partnership are developed.
Components: The Centre uses a unique process to develop strong partnerships and collaborations which allows all voices to be heard in order to collectively generate the core purpose, guiding principles and values. Partnerships and collaborations are set up for success, as there is clarity with respect to governance, operations, decision-making and service delivery.
Transition Planning
Description: It is true that the one thing we know for sure is that change will happen. This is a reality in all aspects of life including organizational life and cycles. Transition planning captures the variety of changes in which organizations participate. These transitions occur as organizations welcome new leaders; as they restructure to align to strategy; as teams change; as growth occurs; as organizations integrate/unify/merge with other organizations.
Components: A thoughtful, intentional and planful approach even in times of quick change can result in a better, more focused change process. Using the most up-to-date research on change management, the Centre assists organizations in developing their Transition Plan. The Centre, through facilitative leadership, develops a comprehensive plan that includes:
● Conceptual Development Planning
● Transition and Implementation Planning including:
● Communication plan
● Succession plan
● Sponsorship road map
● Coaching plan
● Training plan
● Resistance management plan
Program Evaluation
Description: Organizations often grapple with the questions: What difference are we making? How are the lives of those who have used our services different because of what we have provided? How do we know if the way we are working is creating an impact on people's lives? For many community, public and non-profit organizations these fundamental questions are challenging to measure. Program Evaluation is the systematic gathering, analysis and reporting of information to assist in decision-making. It is a powerful approach to more thoughtfully and critically reviewing the work of an organization in the constant pursuit of delivering better and more effective programs for its clients.
Components: The Centre assists organizations in developing a comprehensive evaluation framework based on a logic model. The components include:
● Long-Term Outcomes
● Transfer Outcomes
● Short-Term Outcomes
● Outputs
● Continuous Learning
● Performance Indicators
● Measurement Systems & Tools
The Centre also develops data gathering systems and Virtual Program Evaluation Manuals customized for the organization.
Community Based Research
Description:
To support the other areas of work (i.e. Strategic Planning, Organizational Development, Collaborations & Partnerships, Transition Planning and Program Evaluation), the Centre also has expertise in community based research.
Components: Participatory and Action Oriented Research to mobilize communities and organizations. Methodologies for qualitative research include participatory processes and on-line tools to gather the wisdom of those most directly impacted by the relevant topic being studied. Using the latest qualitative analysis tools, this information is readily used to inform the process of strategy, organizational development, collaboration & partnership, transition planning and program evaluation.
Mediation/Facilitated Conversation
Description: To support the other areas of work (i.e. Strategic Planning, Organizational Development, Collaborations & Partnerships, Transition Planning and Program Evaluation), the Centre also has expertise in mediation/facilitated conversation.
Components: Since the work of the Centre is based on a participatory, facilitative leadership approach, effective dialogue is fundamental to the work. All healthy relationships, at some point, experience conflict. The skills to handle tense situations, create a safe place to hold crucial conversations and assist people in moving forward are essential.
Communications Planning
Description:
To support the other areas of work (i.e. Strategic Planning, Organizational Development, Collaborations & Partnerships, Transition Planning and Program Evaluation), the Centre also has expertise in communications planning.
Components: All work at the Centre is backed by a strong Communications Plan which supports and assists in mobilizing action forward. Comprehensive plans are developed which include: Communications Spokesperson Key Messages Critical Path Supporting Materials Risk Assessment
You have made this new language of organizations understandable and at a pace we can digest and I look forward to learning from you in the future.London Family Health Team
It is your work that has given us our strong foundation to build on. We’re so grateful.Street Level Women At Risk
Now getting into it more, I understand how much work this was in putting this together. Great organization of materials. I appreciate the structure & completeness of what you provided. It’s like a well laid out library. Also reminds me of the great work that took place in that undertaking. You did a fabulous job of working with a very diverse group of people with some significant differences in orientation, goals, work styles, etc.Children’s Mental Health Amalgamation Process Thames Valley Area
Just want to let you know how much I enjoyed working with you, and how many accolades are still coming in! You hit the ball out of the park! It was exactly what people needed to hear and experience. Thank you so much.St. Claire Catholic District School Board Administrators Retreat
Thanks so much for your work on this project. It was a lot of work in a very short time but you did a wonderful job and you were a pleasure to work with. I’m impressed with the high quality of your report, the professional way you facilitated the summit, and the thoroughness of your research. The final product was exactly what we were looking for – community-wide standards created with input from the community. I was very pleased with the high level of engagement at the summit. It’s the start of something good.
City of St. Thomas
I wanted to let you know I have been very impressed with your work with us – both the “content” of the work (very detailed, thoughtful and precise) and your attention to process and people. You have been an excellent guide through this process – fair and balanced. We have been very lucky to have you!CMHA Waterloo Wellington Dufferin