2024 Community of Learning Conference
October 27 to 29, 2024, in Toronto, Ontario
Complexity Leadership & Knowledge Sharing
In a rapidly evolving world, the traditional ways of leadership can be insufficient to address the challenges we face. We need to embrace adaptability, interconnectivity, and emergent change. Complexity Leadership can better help us navigate the complexities of our world, foster innovation, and build a more resilient and adaptable community. We invite you to join us on this transformative journey.
Scroll through this page for information about registration, this year’s Keynote Speaker, and the Conference Special Event.
Registration
Pricing
FSC Member Agency
- One complimentary registration for the ED/CEO of each member agency.
- $200 for each additional registration from FSC member agencies.
Non-FSC Member Agencies
- $350 per attendee.
Registration Deadlines
Early Registration Deadline: September 6, 2024. All who register by September 6, 2024, will receive a copy of one of Paul Born’s books and an Ontario keepsake.
Registration Deadline: October 15, 2024. Please register no later than October 15 so we can communicate our final catering numbers to the hotel.
Additional Notes
When registering,
- Please answer registration questions for yourself and any other attendees you’re registering.
- If you plan to attend the Distillery District tour and dinner at El Catrin, please pre-register by purchasing the “Conference Special Event Add-On” ticket for yourself and any other attendees you’re registering.
Keynote Speaker
Paul Born
Founder of BE Community and Co-Founder of Tamarack Institute and Vibrant Communities
Paul is a large-scale community change facilitator and the author of five books, including two Canadian best-sellers. He supports communities collaborating as a coach, consultant, and community conversations facilitator. His latest book, Breakthrough Community Change, was released in April 2023.
Paul is the Co-founder and for 20 years was the CEO/Co-CEO of Tamarack Institute, a 47,000-member learning community, and the Founder and Director of Vibrant Communities, a Collective Impact movement that supports four networks of cities learning and acting together to End Poverty, Deepening Community, Building Youth Futures and Climate Transitions. These campaigns are now active in over 400 cities.
Paul is a global faculty member of the Asset Based Community Development Institute (ABCD) and a senior fellow of Ashoka, the world’s largest network of social innovators. Paul was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2019.
Conference Special Event
Distillery District Tour and Dinner at El Catrin Destileria
To Join the tour and dinner, please purchase the $75 add-on tickets for yourself and anyone else you’re registering for the conference who would like to attend the special event.
Location: The Distillery Historic District, Toronto, ON
Cost: $75/person
Following our first day of the conference, join the group for an hour-long walking tour of the Distillery District.
Almost 20 years ago in Toronto, a small group of visionary developers dreamed of creating a place to excite and inspire the senses. They transformed a national historic site of Victorian Industrial buildings, blending industrial architecture with 21st-century design and creativity. The result is a village of one-of-a-kind stores, shops, galleries, studios, restaurants, cafes, theatres, and more.
After our tour, we’ll meet for dinner at El Catrin Destileria for the first day of the Día de Los Muertos festival. El Catrin serves a range of authentic traditional and modern Mexican cuisine featuring flavours and textures from the diverse regions of Mexico.
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a celebration of life and joy during which families gather to honour the lives of those who have departed. El Catrin is the male counterpart to La Catrina. The two characters are associated with the Day of the Dead celebrations and typically feature calavera (skull) make-up and black clothes.
Note: Although the cost remains the same, you may opt out of the walking tour if you prefer to just meet the group for dinner at 6:00 pm.
Attend the Annual Community of Learning Conference
A Community of Learners is a group of people who share values and beliefs and actively learn from one another.
The Family Service Canada community is interdependent. Each of us is responsible for receiving and sharing resources and points of view while sustaining a mutually respectful environment.
Technology makes it possible to connect across distances and throughout the year, but in-person connection is essential. Our annual Community of Learning Conference provides that connection and supports our development of trust and relationships.
Every year, one member hosts the conference—welcoming conference attendees to their city or town.
The Community of Learning Conference is Different Every Year
We build our conferences around a theme or prevalent issue. Agencies or subject matter experts facilitate learning sessions and lead discussions. In the past, content shared at the conference has included
- Practical learning around essential non-profit functions like fund development or governance.
- New initiatives like multi-agency collaborations.
- Service opportunities like the F&ST program or different approaches to single-session counselling.
- New research in areas like neuroscience and brain development that impacts how we serve families.
Every conference also includes ample opportunity to connect in smaller groups. Whether you want to discuss a specific issue or relax in your peers’ company, you’ll find it.
Dinner, drinks, and opportunities to experience some of what the host city offers are just some of the other aspects of the conference.
