CMC Pro Bono Consulting Program
St. James Town Community Co-op
MEDIA RELEASE
St. James Town Community Co-op focuses on strengthening its code of conduct and developing a personnel policy manual…thanks to the CMC Pro Bono Program
Certified Management Consultant provides no-charge professional services to leading charity
CMC-Ontario announces the completion of a no-charge management consulting engagement under its CMC Pro Bono Program. The client is St. James Town Community Co-op, (SJTC) a vibrant cooperative non-profit created in 2015 by and for community members. SJTC cultivates community projects to improve local food security and resilience to climate change.
The St. James Community Co-op applies human rights to help our diverse community work together. With the support of our partners, the SJTC cultivates capacity and employment opportunities for resident members through three key projects: The OASIS Food Hub, Resident Capacity Building, and Climate & Emergency Resilience.
“Our request was accepted and we were connected to an expert who listened to our needs, read the documents we provided, asked good questions and did excellent work on strengthening our code of conduct and developing a personnel policy manual to help ensure that our policies and practices were aligned with current employment standards as well as our internal human rights-based and cooperative principles”.
Josephine Grey, Founding Director of SJTC
Certified Management Consultant Shahzad Shah & colleague, Natalie Hansford of the firm Lean Excellence Canada volunteered their professional services to assist SJTC at no charge under the CMC Pro Bono Program.
Both Shahzad & Natalie assert working with SJTC has been a deeply rewarding experience, allowing them to contribute to a cause that significantly impacts local food security and community resilience.
“ I am proud to support an organization that prioritizes the needs and development of its residents, helping to build a stronger, more self-reliant community. This collaboration has reinforced my belief in the power of community-driven initiatives and the importance of giving back.”
Shahzad Shah, CMC, Managing Partner of Lean Excellence Canada
Ms. Grey and the STJC are very appreciative of the support from CMC-Ontario and the volunteer Pro Bono Management Consultants who helped her analyze the project and drive the STJC’s strategy forward.
The not-for-profit sector is an important component of the social and economic fabric that makes up Canada. However, many organizations in this sector are severely resource-constrained and face increasing demand for their services. These organizations often do not have the financial resources to hire consultants at market prices.
"I would like to thank Shahzad and Natalie for their admirable efforts as well as congratulate them on the tremendous outcome they have had. This effort underscores our commitment to giving back and shows the meaningful impact our consultants can make". CMC-Ontario President, Desislava Nikolova
ST. JAMES TOWN COMMUNITY CO-OP
Established in 2015, the St. James Town Community Co-op is a non-profit cooperative created by and for the residents of our hyper-diverse, low-income community. The organization is dedicated to enriching our community through increasing the availability of affordable, healthy, and culturally appropriate food, community education and capacity building, and innovation in year-round urban agriculture.
Co-op members are comprised of any persons, 18 years or older, interested and committed to the goals of the Co-op. Members may reside in St. James Town or elsewhere, however, at least 50% of the Co-op membership must be St. James Town residents.
LEAN EXCELLENCE CANADA
Lean Excellence Canada Inc. is a Toronto-based consultancy, focused on Training Solutions & Strategy, HR Health & Safety, Operational Strategy & Excellence including Recruitment Solutions.
CMC-ONTARIO
The Institute of Certified Management Consultants of Ontario (CMC-Ontario) is the provincial body responsible for accrediting and overseeing the Certified Management Consultant® (CMC) professional designation in Ontario. The CMC designation is the management consulting industry’s premiere certification recognized in 49 countries worldwide, including the United States and the United Kingdom.
PRO BONO PROGRAM
The Pro Bono Program is an initiative of the Institute of Certified Management Consultants of Ontario to promote thought leadership that benefits and strengthens the management consulting industry and the expertise of CMCs that provide charitable organizations with no-charge consulting services.
Are you a Charitable orgnisation that could use the support of a CMC?
Any questions about the program should be directed to: applyprobono@cmc-ontario.ca
