Supporting Resiliency in Canada’s North

Over several years CESO has worked with Inuit Illagit, a not-for-profit community organization in Pangnirtung, Nunavut, to develop strong accounting processes. CESO VAs provided training to implement a financial management system tailored to the needs of the organization, leading to a consistent ‘Good Standing’ status with the government of Nunavut, an essential requirement for continued funding.This standing allows the organization to be sustainable and to be a model for other organizations in the region.

Economic development is a critical component in the development of a community, especially in the North where communities are often faced with unique social and economic challenges compared to their southern counterparts. Having recognized this, the Canadian Executive Service Organization (CESO) partnered with Inuit Ilagiit in 2015 to support the newly formed society achieve their mission of strengthening families and alleviating challenges associated with those living in poverty through the delivery of community supports and programs. To accomplish this, CESO provided the board of directors with financial management and leadership training.

Throughout the partnership, CESO’s Volunteer Advisors (VAs) assisted Inuit Illagit as they created a solid foundation that strengthened structural and organizational practices to support their growth as an organization. The objective of the partnership included leadership training in key areas, including financial management, strategic planning, policy and procedure development, and fundraising.  As the society progressed, CESO’s VAs provided ongoing board mentorship and assisted Inuit Ilagiit prepare a number of business plans and proposals as they sought funding and revenue generating business opportunities to become a self-sufficient and self-supporting organization.

A year prior to the assignment, the community-formed organization lacked the knowledge and expertise essential to running a NGO, including the roles and responsibilities belonging to the board of directors. As a result of leadership training and mentoring, the organization has been able to properly register the NGO and conduct business effectively. Several years into their strategic plan, Inuit Illagit is in good-standing and has alleviated some of the challenges associated with poverty through the delivery of community supports and programs.