NCENN September Recap

On Friday, September 29^th at 10 am Sustainable Eastern Ontario hosted the September edition of the NCENN (National Capital Nonprofit Network). This Zoom event highlighted Eco-Internships, a nonprofit organization that connects funders to ENGOs that need help with staffing support and creates jobs for recent grads and youth. It featured presentations from interns from the following organizations: Eco-Internships, Greening Sacred Spaces, Peace and Environment Resource Centre, SmartNet Coalition, and the Capacity Building Institute. Interns shared the wide variety of work they do, including social media management, website maintenance, event planning, and fundraising. It was a small event with 21 registrants, however, a great opportunity for interns to promote their organizations and the important work that they do!

Presentation Overview

The Eco-Internships presentation was given by Hannah Rockburn, Operations Manager, and Jesna Grewal, SDG Communications intern. Highlights from their presentation include 100% of employers expressed that participating in the intern support program, has increased the capacity of their organization, and the work their respective interns have completed, will continue to be a benefit to them. 54% of interns find full-time employment in the environmental sector within three months of completing their internship, and 63% have full-time employment. Jesna stated that being an intern has helped her gain skills and knowledge that will help her throughout her career in the environmental Sector. More information about Eco-Internships can be found here: https://www.ecointernships.ca/.

The Greening Sacred Spaces presentation was given by Emily Sayadi, the sustainability intern. GSS, is an organization that helps faith communities with their environmental initiatives. Emily’s main projects are the Energy Bench Marking Program and the Faithfully Green Fund. The energy benchmarking program is a free program for faith communities, that monitors their energy usage and identifies areas that can be improved. The Faithfully Green Fund is an investment opportunity, where loans are given to Faith communities to complete retrofits and are paid back with interest over periods of 5-7 years. More Information can be found here: https://greeningsacredspaces.ca/

The PERC presentation was given by Hayley Copan, the sustainable development intern. PERC (Ottawa Peace and Environmental Resource Centre), is an incorporated, registered, charity that focuses on peace, environmental, and social justice issues, with local emphasis. PERC’s main program is the PEN (Ottawa Peace and Environment News), a newsletter that reports on local issues pertaining to social justice, peace, and the environment. Hayley’s work includes contributing to the PEN, social media, fundraising, and outreach. For more information visit here: https://www.perc.ca/

The SmartNet Coalition presentation was given by Anne Musene, Outreach Coordinator. SmartNet was originally a for-profit organization known as SmartNet Alliance but has now become a non-profit under the name of SmartNet Coalition. SmartNet is a network of business leaders that help support, connect, and promote sustainable business practices, for small-medium businesses in the Ottawa area. Anne’s work was largely focused on outreach for the SmartNet Sustainability Showcase and EV Exhibition, that occurred on September 23^rd, and featured presentations, panel discussions on sustainability issues, topics and innovations and an exhibitor’s hall featuring local businesses, and an electric vehicle exhibition. To Learn more about SmartNet Coalition Visit here: https://smartnetcoalition.ca/

The last presentation was from the Capacity Building Institute, presented by Nikolas Kuchmij, the sustainable development engagement intern. The Capacity Building Institute offers programs and monthly free webinars, that aid with capacity building for environmental nonprofits. Programs CBI offers are the intern training program (used by Eco- Internships), the Capacity Building certificate program, and a new program called Engaging Senior Leaders: Board Training 101. CBI has six core capacity themes: financial management and fund development, governance and board development, volunteer engagement & human resources, communications and outreach, risk management & legal issues, and leadership and organizational culture. Nick’s work focuses on the story of CBI, collecting stories from program alumni, he also aids in fundraising, and looking for new partnerships. For more information visit here: https://capacitybuilding.ca/

Julie Breslin is a recent Carleton graduate, holding a B.A Hons in Geography with a concentration in Urban Geography. She is currently the SDG Communications intern for Sustainable Eastern Ontario.