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New Report says Alberta nonprofits need to get off the sidelines

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Calgary, AB - TheNewswire - As communities and citizens look to nonprofits to champion and represent causes, organizations will need to get off the sidelines in order to stay relevant and true to the people they serve, says the 2019 State of the Alberta Nonprofit Sector report to be released on Thursday by CCVO (Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations).

"In an increasingly polarized environment, nonprofits may be tempted by two options: either withdraw entirely from engaging in policy advocacy to avoid perceptions of partisanship; or engage in advocacy that aligns with political rhetoric from the government and the opposition. It is vital that the sector resists both of these alternatives and instead engages more deliberately and boldly in policy advocacy, standing on the strengths of expertise, experience, and constructive criticism," says David Mitchell, President & CEO, CCVO.

CCVO's 9th annual State of the Alberta Nonprofit Sector report was fueled by a new provincial government's commitment to "harnessing the power of civil society." Recent studies have found that the biggest driver of polarization in Canada is due to ideological distinctions feeding into hyper-partisanship. Albertans experienced this first-hand in the recent provincial election with deep divisions across party lines on issues like climate change, equality and the role of government. Polarized societies can lack social cohesion, resulting in a weakened civil society.

The report identifies that the nonprofit sector plays a necessary role in helping to protect the public interest by challenging norms, structures and trends that may threaten our democracy. As such, the inclusion of nonprofits in public policy development is essential to civic engagement and a robust civil society. In fact, nonprofits risk losing public trust when they remain silent on important issues. The expectations of the sector to demonstrate outcomes are high, and nonprofits must work harder than ever to maintain trust.

CCVO will release the 2019 report at an event on Thursday, November 7 at the Fairmont Palliser in Calgary. The Nonprofits at Noon luncheon from 12-1:30 pm will include a panel discussion about what civil society means in the current political climate. Featured speakers in this discussion include Elsbeth Mehrer, Boys & Girls Clubs of Calgary; Patti Pon, Calgary Arts Development; and James Stauch, Institute for Community Prosperity at Mount Royal University. Media calling in advance are invited to attend.

Contact: Dana Silver, Director, Community Engagement, CCVO

P: 403-710-4212 | E: dsilver@calgarycvo.org

About CCVO

CCVO (Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations) is an advocate and champion of the nonprofit sector, providing leadership on cross-cutting policy issues, leading collaborative work, and giving voice to critical issues affecting the sector. For more information about CCVO, visit calgarycvo.org.

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