Climate Action for Non-Profit Leaders

Program Description:

Addressing complex global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, and inequality and injustice can feel impossible for individual actors and organizations, and it can be hard to know where to begin. This program aims to explore the interconnected nature of these challenges and provide systematic and accessible methods for leaders to contribute solutions through the work of their organizations.

Over the course of four interactive 90-minute online sessions, participants will receive an overview of climate change and its implications, explore transition leadership and systems thinking, envision a sustainable and just future, and identify practical steps to implement at their respective non-profit organization.

Dates and Times:

18 January 2024, 1pm – 2:30pm ET

25 January 2024, 1pm – 2:30pm ET

1 February 2024, 1pm – 2:30pm ET

8 February 2024, 1pm – 2:30pm ET

Who is this program for?

This program is for individuals in the non-profit sector who are interested in considering the impacts of climate change on their purpose and mission. It is well-suited for those who want to include more holistic approaches to framing and solving problems, as well as those looking for a safe space to share concerns about climate or feelings of eco-anxiety. The primary audience is for non-profit leaders who are members of the Ontario Nonprofit Network, or based in Ontario. A limited number of spaces are available for other non-profit leaders from across Canada.

What is the time commitment?

In addition to the four 90-minute sessions, participants are also encouraged to complete approximately 30 mins of prep work prior to each session to familiarize themselves with the concepts covered.

Session 1: Introduction to Climate Action (Jan 18, 2024)

This first session will ground participants in an understanding of concepts such as climate change, ecological awareness, and systems thinking. Participants will learn about key environmental metrics, the limitations of isolated “solutions”, and the deeper role of mindsets as both a source and solution to global problems. We will also unpack the difficulties of having climate conversations, and practice how to effectively communicate about climate issues.

Session 2: Transition Leadership (Jan 25, 2024)

Session two will focus on the concept of transition leadership and the role of systems thinking for organizational change. Themes include moving towards a desired future, appreciating complexity, and approaches to application. Participants will have the opportunity to practice how to apply a model of systems change to their own organization.

Session 3: A Just Transition (Feb 1, 2024)

Participants will explore case studies of the implementation of just transition policies and practices to ground the course’s theoretical material into practical and real-world examples. This session will create space for dialogue and feedback on how to apply best practices in different contexts. Guest speakers will be announced closer to the program start date.

Session 4: Taking Action as a Transition Leader (Feb 8, 2024)

In the final session, participants will explore regenerative and distributive approaches to running an organization, considering the different themes discussed throughout the course. Acknowledging the scale of the challenge and the impacts of eco-anxiety, we will also discuss personal grounding practices to deepen one’s connection to nature and to mitigate challenges to well-being and mental health.

Note: Each week includes exercises, presentations, and opportunities for participants to practice and apply the concepts learned. Additionally, there will be opportunities for feedback and group discussions to enhance the learning experience.

Hosting Team:

Biboye (Bo) Aganaba, Program Manager, ASI

Bo is an urban, environmental, and energy planner by training, and former executive director of a youth-led sustainability not for profit organization. The son of Nigerian immigrants, he has spent time living in the UK, Canada, Hungary and Denmark – which has all contributed to giving him a deep sense of appreciation and belonging to the world as a whole. Through his experience working with sustainability advocates and professionals, Bo has seen and felt the risks of burnout, anxiety, fear, and eco-grief facing so many. As a long-time mindfulness and meditation practitioner, his passion is to help people hold the reality of the scale of the challenges we face through mindful awareness, while also using collaboration, creativity, storytelling, and dialogue to help teams navigate challenging topics and goals. Bo is also the Founder and Principal at Good Being Co. He created Good Being to help empower individuals and organizations to turn the disruptive nature of the moment into an opportunity for new, regenerative ways of being. In addition to his professional work Bo enjoys playing music, reading and writing, and finding as many opportunities to be playful in life as possible.

Tamara Connell, Chief Executive Officer, ASI

Tamara is a strong, creative, and entrepreneurial leader with extensive experience across the sustainability and social innovation spheres. She has 20+ years of adult education experience and has designed and delivered courses, programs, and other custom engagements all around the world. Tamara’s previous roles include Program Director in the Master’s of Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability program at BTH in Sweden, Director of Sustainability Learning Programs at The Natural Step Canada, and Associate Director of Education & Training at RADIUS SFU. She has also run her own successful consulting company for the past 10+ years, focused on facilitation, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning. Tamara holds a BSc in Environmental Planning, and a Masters in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability. She is also a certified Associate Coach with Integral Coaching Canada, and a certified LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® methods facilitator.

Program Partners:

This program is a collaborative effort between the Ontario Nonprofit Network (ONN) and the Academy for Sustainable Innovation (ASI).

About ONN

ONN is the independent network for the 58,000 nonprofits in Ontario, focused on policy, advocacy, and services to strengthen Ontario’s nonprofit sector as a key pillar of our society and economy. We work to create a public policy environment that allows nonprofit to thrive. We engage our network of diverse nonprofit organizations across Ontario to work together on issues affecting the sector and channel the voices of our network to governments, funders, and other stakeholders. The network began in 2007 as a mobilization of sector leaders concerned about proposed changes to the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (Bill 65). Incorporated as a nonprofit in 2014, ONN was developed as an incubated project of the award-winning Centre for Social Innovation. For more information please visit: https://theonn.ca/

About ASI

The Academy for Sustainable Innovation (ASI) partners with organizations and individuals who are passionate about leading Canada’s transition to a low-carbon, socially-inclusive economy. Our Transition Leadership programs invite current and future leaders to explore the mindsets, capabilities, and practices they need to affect positive change across the Canadian economic landscape. For more information please visit: https://sustainableinnovation.academy/