The Municipality of Grey Highlands and the Municipality of West Grey, in partnership with Georgian College's Social Enterprise Network of Central Ontario (senco) and OMAFRA, have launched an exciting initiative aimed at growing social enterprise in our communities.
A drive-in screening of The Social Shift officially introduced the project on September 28, which offered a glimpse into many socially focused businesses across Canada. The documentary, which will be offered again in early in 2021 as an online screening, provides a great backdrop for conversations about social enterprise and how they can have real and meaningful impacts in the community.
Not familiar with social enterprise? Don’t worry, you probably know more about it than you realize! There are lots of thoughts and ideas about what makes a business a social enterprise, but they all share basic underlying tenants.
Generally, the business:
- will have a specific social goal that serves the primary purpose.
- acknowledges that its mandate is more than a monetary bottom line.
- exists to improve a situation or circumstance and to serve the common good.
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“When a local business grows, the community grows alongside it.”
Independent and local retailers and suppliers contribute in a big way to the local economy, and they are the backbone of our community when it comes to addressing social and environmental needs.
When customers purchase from suppliers like you, they are reinvesting in their neighbourhoods, which means more money for infrastructure, workforce development, social services, programs, arts, culture and more.
Georgian College’s SENCO invites your social purpose organization, diverse-owned, or small business to opt-in to their supplier directory as part of their Community Benefit Purchasing Project (CBPP).
Community benefit purchasing is another way of saying social procurement, which involves procuring goods and services from suppliers that benefit the community economically, socially and environmentally.
Only 40 supplier spots remain for this pilot directory and they don't want you to miss out: Supplier Questionnaire
Do you also identify as a purchaser? Please check out their questionnaire specifically for purchasers. They are always looking for the purchaser to advocate for social procurement and lead by example: Purchaser Questionnaire
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The Business for Change webinar series offers further insights and tools to assist local entrepreneurs, regardless of whether they identify as a social enterprise.
January 18, 2021 (3:00 - 4:30 pm)
January 24-26, 2021
- Virtual Screening of The Social Shift
- After registering, attendees will be provided a link and password to view over the three day period (January 24 at 10:00 am – January 26 at 10:00 pm)
February 1, 2021 (2:30 – 5:00 pm)
February 8, 2021 (2:30 – 5:00 pm)
- Session #1: Explore the Feasibility of a New Idea or Business
February 16, 2021 (2:30 – 5:00 pm) ***Please note, this session will take place on Tuesday due to the Family Day holiday.***
- Session #2: Business Planning Through the Perspective of a Social Enterprise
February 22, 2021(2:30 – 5:00 pm)
- Session #3: Measuring the Positive Impact of Your Business
March 1, 2021 (2:30 – 5:00 pm)
- Session #4: Pitching and Storytelling for Businesses Making a Difference
For more information about this exciting initiative, please contact Grey Highlands Economic Development via ecdev@greyhighlands.ca.
