Phase Two – Organizational Standards Initiative (OSI)

Building on the Organizational Standards Initiative, Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI) will embark in a multi-pronged approach to support organizations to self-assess and gain access to effective capacity building opportunities, and to support knowledge transfer within and across sectors.  The aim of this work is to strengthen capacity and accountability in the immigrant and refugee serving sector in Ontario through the implementation of organizational standards and related tools.

Recognizing that extensive accountability, expertise, and good practices already exist in the sector, this project will build upon organizations’ strengths and further develop organizational capacity. We will, as a collective voice, efficiently and effectively create, locate, capture, and share organizations’ knowledge and expertise, and further bring that knowledge to bear on issues and opportunities.

Funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, this three year project will use the organizational standards and the self assessment tools as a focal point in bringing together organizations for capacity development through peer learning, mentorship and resource development. Peer groups of 10 agencies will meet regularly to share ideas and strategies, discuss challenges and participate in training and coaching to achieve organizational excellence. Important priorities throughout the initiative include transparency, ongoing communication and meaningful engagement of OCASI members and partners.

Benefits of the Initiative:

• Organizational Development Support
• Enhancement of Community Based Approach, Operations, Human Resources, Governance & Strategic Leadership
• Increase Access to Training, Information and Networking Opportunities