Community agencies look forward to province’s response to non-profit sector report
Mar. 21, 2008
Community agencies from across Southeastern New Brunswick are remaining optimistic about the province’s upcoming response to a report on the community non-profit sector.
“We’re looking forward to the government recognizing the vital role non-profit organizations play in helping New Brunswickers and to ensuring a solid future for these essential groups,” says Debbie McInnis, Executive Director of the United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern New Brunswick Region, on behalf of 33 community non-profit groups.
The province is expected to release its response to the report of the Premier’s Task Force on the Community Non-Profit Sector on Friday, March 28, in Fredericton.
Non-profit organizations are being invited to attend an information session from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. that day at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre where they will be given an advance copy of the response and have an opportunity to ask questions to senior members of the new Community Non-Profit Secretariat. The government’s formal response will be tabled in the legislature later that day.
Those interested in attending the information session can register by calling the secretariat’s toll free number, 1-888-295-4545.
“We’re encouraging anyone involved in a non-profit group who can possibly make it to be in Fredericton on the 28th,” says Debbie McInnis. The United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern NB is coordinating transportation to the information session for non-profit workers from the region, departing from Moncton. Those interested can call the United Way at 858-8600 for more information.
The province established the Task Force on the Community Non-Profit Sector in December 2006 to establish a productive relationship between government and non-profit groups as well as to raise awareness about the critical function of the organizations.
Former MP Claudette Bradshaw led the four-member task force, which visited communities throughout the province and gathered information about the work and challenges of non-profit groups. More than 1,000 presentations and commentaries were made to the committee.
In September, the task force released its final report, entitled “Blueprint for Action: Building a Foundation for Self-Sufficiency”, making four key recommendations on non-profit organizations. They include: the need for stable funding; the creation of an agency to connect the non-profit sector to the provincial government and to other organizations within the sector; increased efforts to promote volunteerism; and greater consultation with government.
The report suggested that the community non-profit sector be viewed as “a socioeconomic pillar of the same stature as government and the private sector” and as “an investment which reaps benefits…not as an expense which drains the economy.”
“We were happy to see the report emphasize the need for increased respect for the non-profit sector and recognition of the value of its work,” says Annette Vautour-McKay, Executive Director of the Volunteer Centre of Southeastern New Brunswick. “We’re awaiting word that the province will be moving forward with the Task Force recommendations and are prepared to assist government in their efforts.”
In January, the United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern New Brunswick Region held a community planning session to discuss the report’s recommendations. Representatives of 33 community agencies, from both rural and urban areas, attended the session.
During the event, those in the non-profit sector voiced support for the recommendations of Bradshaw’s group and expressed a keen desire to work with the government on their implementation.
“We are confident that we can help the province make these positive steps and improve the state of the community non-profit sector, a key element in the government’s goal of self-sufficiency,” says Debbie McInnis.
For more information, contact Cathy Donaldson, Communications Coordinator, United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern New Brunswick Region, at 858-8600 Ext. 64 or 866-6427.






