From Our Vantage Point

Next Steps for Listeners Get your house in order Review and update internal policies on political activity, expense tracking, and staff and board conduct during election periods. Check current CRA guidelines on Public Policy Dialogue and Development Activities, as the rules have changed. Review Elections BC’s guidelines on election advertising and third-party advertising sponsors for both the provincial and local elections. Look at the Non-Profit Power Up Toolkit (search it on Google) for updated guidance on local election engagement. If you plan to spend money on election-related communications, register as a third-party advertising sponsor with Elections BC and set up a system to track those expenses. Prepare your message and your people Write down one to three priority policy issues in plain-language bullets. Brief staff, board members, and volunteers on election-period rules, including the difference between personal political activity and speaking for the organization. Prepare talking points and impact stories for supporters or board members who may speak with candidates. Engage candidates Keep outreach hyper-local: send introductory letters to candidates in your relevant geographies, sharing your story and key issues without making direct asks. Treat every candidate fairly and equally, with no favoritism in communications or scorecards. After the election Between October 24th and the cabinet swearing-in (mid-to-late November), engage government bureaucrats and decision makers to reinsert your priorities and budget asks before cabinet is formed. Congratulate newly elected MLAs, prepare briefs for those in your ridings or relevant ministries, and request meetings to build relationships. When in doubt Contact Elections BC or the BC Lobby Registry directly. Both want organizations to get it right and offer guidance. For further guidance or training on government relations and election engagement, reach out to Nikki at Hilltop Public Affairs: info@hilltoppublicaffairs.ca 🎙️ From Our Vantage Point is a podcast by Vantage Point , sharing real conversations and practical insights from BC’s non-profit sector. Vantage Point provides high quality, practical education, facilitation, and consulting support to BC’s non-profit sector as well as programs that support sector success through convening, facilitation, and advocacy. Because when non-profits thrive, communities do too. Generously supported by our partners at Humanity Financial .

The RBC team will be available at the conference on June 5th where attendees can connect with RBC, all our sponsors and partners who specialize in supporting non-profit sector leaders. 🎫Last call to get your tickets at bcnonprofitconference.ca 🎙️ From Our Vantage Point is a podcast by Vantage Point , sharing real conversations and practical insights from BC’s non-profit sector. Vantage Point provides high quality, practical education, facilitation, and consulting support to BC’s non-profit sector as well as programs that support sector success through convening, facilitation, and advocacy. Because when non-profits thrive, communities do too. Generously supported by our partners at Humanity Financial .

Vantage Point CEO, Zahra Esmail also highlights what to expect from the two-day conference which takes place across a virtual conference day on June 4 and an in-person gathering on June 5 at the Anvil Center in New Westminster. Learn more and get your tickets at [www.bcnonprofitconference.ca]. 🎙️ From Our Vantage Point is a podcast by Vantage Point , sharing real conversations and practical insights from BC’s non-profit sector. Vantage Point provides high quality, practical education, facilitation, and consulting support to BC’s non-profit sector as well as programs that support sector success through convening, facilitation, and advocacy. Because when non-profits thrive, communities do too. Generously supported by our partners at Humanity Financial .

Tune in for thoughtful insights and inspiration on how the sector can leverage digital fundraising tools. Then register for the 2026 BC Non-Profit Leadership Conference here . 🎙️ From Our Vantage Point is a podcast by Vantage Point , sharing real conversations and practical insights from BC’s non-profit sector. Vantage Point provides high quality, practical education, facilitation, and consulting support to BC’s non-profit sector as well as programs that support sector success through convening, facilitation, and advocacy. Because when non-profits thrive, communities do too. Generously supported by our partners at Humanity Financial .

This conversation underscores a key message: climate resilience isn’t a side project, it needs to be woven into everyday operations, governance, and decision-making. Tune in for thoughtful insights and inspiration on how the sector can work together to meet the climate challenge. Then register for the 2026 BC Non-Profit Leadership Conference here . 🎙️ From Our Vantage Point is a podcast by Vantage Point , sharing real conversations and practical insights from BC’s non-profit sector. Vantage Point provides high quality, practical education, facilitation, and consulting support to BC’s non-profit sector as well as programs that support sector success through convening, facilitation, and advocacy. Because when non-profits thrive, communities do too. Generously supported by our partners at Humanity Financial .

In this conversation, Brad Offman of Greater Purpose and Zahra Esmail explore how purpose-driven businesses and non-profit leaders can come together to strengthen impact. They discuss the upcoming Greater Purpose West conference and the BC Non-profit Leadership Conference , highlighting themes of sector capacity building, collaboration, digital resilience, and the future of the nonprofit and care economies—offering listeners insight into why these gatherings matter and what participants can expect to gain. REGISTER FOR GREATER PURPOSE WEST CONFERENCE USE DISCOUNT CODE: GPC20 for a 20% discount Don't Miss the British Columbia Non-Profit Leadership Conference 2026 (BCNPLC) ! 🎙️ From Our Vantage Point is a podcast by Vantage Point , sharing real conversations and practical insights from BC’s non-profit sector. Vantage Point provides high quality, practical education, facilitation, and consulting support to BC’s non-profit sector as well as programs that support sector success through convening, facilitation, and advocacy. Because when non-profits thrive, communities do too. Generously supported by our partners at Humanity Financial .

🎙️ From Our Vantage Point is a podcast by Vantage Point , sharing real conversations and practical insights from BC’s non-profit sector. Vantage Point provides high quality, practical education, facilitation, and consulting support to BC’s non-profit sector as well as programs that support sector success through convening, facilitation, and advocacy. Because when non-profits thrive, communities do too. Generously supported by our partners at Humanity Financial .

In the bustling and challenging world of non-profits, effective communication can make all the difference. Recently, our CEO, Zahra Esmail, caught up with Nadia Tchoumi, the founder of New Hope Media, to learn more about her journey and insights into supporting Black-led and Black-serving non-profits through media and communications. Nadia will be one of the keynote speakers at our 2025 BC Non-Profit Leadership Conference on June 5 & 6, and her story is one of passion, transformation, and hope. Here’s a glimpse into their conversation! Grab your latte and join! Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Humanity Financial, for their support of these important conversations! 🎙️ From Our Vantage Point is a podcast by Vantage Point, sharing real conversations and practical insights from BC’s non-profit sector. Vantage Point provides high quality, practical education, facilitation, and consulting support to BC’s non-profit sector as well as programs that support sector success through convening, facilitation, and advocacy. Because when non-profits thrive, communities do too. Generously supported by our partners at Humanity Financial.

In this episode of Coffee Chat, Joyce Lin and Tyler Arnold from the Vantage Point team talk about the importance of the 2025 State of BC’s Non-Profit Sector Survey and why they’re inviting voices from across the province to take part. Now in its fifth year, the survey offers a crucial check-in on the realities non-profits in BC are facing. Joyce shares the story of how this initiative began during the pandemic and how it has become a powerful tool to support funding decisions, government relations, and sector-wide advocacy. Tyler explains how sector data is helping to shape submissions to government and why it’s essential for telling a clear, collective story of the sector’s needs and strengths. This year’s survey also includes new questions about funding, staffing, and organizational capacity to better capture the challenges non-profits are navigating right now. 📅 The survey is open until July 18 and takes about 20 minutes to complete. 📊 Results will be shared this fall through a summary report and new interactive data dashboards. Add your voice to the story of BC’s non-profit sector. Take the survey today: surveymonkey.com/r/SOTS2025 🎙️ From Our Vantage Point is a podcast by Vantage Point, sharing real conversations and practical insights from BC’s non-profit sector. Vantage Point provides high quality, practical education, facilitation, and consulting support to BC’s non-profit sector as well as programs that support sector success through convening, facilitation, and advocacy. Because when non-profits thrive, communities do too. Generously supported by our partners at Humanity Financial.

Correction: At approximately 50:12 in this episode, Mita intended to say “Rest is Resistance” instead of “Rest is Revolutionary.” 🎙️ From Our Vantage Point is a podcast by Vantage Point , sharing real conversations and practical insights from BC’s non-profit sector. Vantage Point provides high quality, practical education, facilitation, and consulting support to BC’s non-profit sector as well as programs that support sector success through convening, facilitation, and advocacy. Because when non-profits thrive, communities do too. Generously supported by our partners at Humanity Financial .

Collaboration Lab: Bridging People, Organizations, and Sectors: https://thevantagepoint.ca/training/all-labs/collaboration-lab/ 🎙️ From Our Vantage Point is a podcast by Vantage Point , sharing real conversations and practical insights from BC’s non-profit sector. Vantage Point provides high quality, practical education, facilitation, and consulting support to BC’s non-profit sector as well as programs that support sector success through convening, facilitation, and advocacy. Because when non-profits thrive, communities do too. Generously supported by our partners at Humanity Financial .

Resources 🎥🎞️ Watch the From our Vantage Point episode and presentation on Vimeo here: 🎧 🎙️Listen to the episode on the From our Vantage Point podcast here: https://from-our-vantage-point.simplecast.com/episodes ️🖥️📚 The presentation used in the episode, can be found and downloaded separately here: Misconceptions about Rules of Order, Governance, and Minute Taking .pdf 🎁The full episode resource pack can be found here: Misconceptions about Non-Profit Governance - Resource Package - Vantage Point.pdf 🎙️ From Our Vantage Point is a podcast by Vantage Point , sharing real conversations and practical insights from BC’s non-profit sector. Vantage Point provides high quality, practical education, facilitation, and consulting support to BC’s non-profit sector as well as programs that support sector success through convening, facilitation, and advocacy. Because when non-profits thrive, communities do too. Generously supported by our partners at Humanity Financial .

Guests: Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon | University of British Columbia Kevin McCort | Vancouver Foundation Walter Pela | Greater Vancouver Board of Trade Host: Zahra Esmail | Vantage Point’s Chief Executive Director Resources: Vantage Point State of the Sector Reports BC Non-Profit Network Vancouver Foundation Greater Vancouver Board of Trade Greater Vancouver Board of Trade AI Adoption Program University of British Columbia UBC Community Engagement BC Non-Profit Leadership Conference Humanity Financial 🎙️ From Our Vantage Point is a podcast by Vantage Point , sharing real conversations and practical insights from BC’s non-profit sector. Vantage Point provides high quality, practical education, facilitation, and consulting support to BC’s non-profit sector as well as programs that support sector success through convening, facilitation, and advocacy. Because when non-profits thrive, communities do too. Generously supported by our partners at Humanity Financial .

Guests: Chrissy Bennett | Kidney Foundation of Canada Host: Maria Turnbull | Vantage Point’s Associate Executive Director 🎙️ From Our Vantage Point is a podcast by Vantage Point , sharing real conversations and practical insights from BC’s non-profit sector. Vantage Point provides high quality, practical education, facilitation, and consulting support to BC’s non-profit sector as well as programs that support sector success through convening, facilitation, and advocacy. Because when non-profits thrive, communities do too. Generously supported by our partners at Humanity Financial .

Guests: Hildy Gottlieb | Creating the Future Host: Maria Turnbull | Vantage Point’s Associate Executive Director Editor: Paul Wang 🎙️ From Our Vantage Point is a podcast by Vantage Point , sharing real conversations and practical insights from BC’s non-profit sector. Vantage Point provides high quality, practical education, facilitation, and consulting support to BC’s non-profit sector as well as programs that support sector success through convening, facilitation, and advocacy. Because when non-profits thrive, communities do too. Generously supported by our partners at Humanity Financial .

Guests: Gordon Holley | Humanity Financial Host: Rafik Karwa | Vantage Point’s Director of Finance Editor: Paul Wang 🎙️ From Our Vantage Point is a podcast by Vantage Point , sharing real conversations and practical insights from BC’s non-profit sector. Vantage Point provides high quality, practical education, facilitation, and consulting support to BC’s non-profit sector as well as programs that support sector success through convening, facilitation, and advocacy. Because when non-profits thrive, communities do too. Generously supported by our partners at Humanity Financial .

Guest: Alex Wilson | Big Sisters BC Lower Mainland and the Association of Fundraising Professionals Host: Zahra Esmail | Vantage Point's Chief Executive Officer Editor: Paul Wang 🎙️ From Our Vantage Point is a podcast by Vantage Point , sharing real conversations and practical insights from BC’s non-profit sector. Vantage Point provides high quality, practical education, facilitation, and consulting support to BC’s non-profit sector as well as programs that support sector success through convening, facilitation, and advocacy. Because when non-profits thrive, communities do too. Generously supported by our partners at Humanity Financial .

Watch this podcast with closed captions here . Guests: Christopher T. Sutton | Wavefront Centre for Community Accessibility Shelagh Levangie | Harbour West Consulting Host: Maria Turnbull | Vantage Point's Associate Executive Director Editor: Elijah Walsh 🎙️ From Our Vantage Point is a podcast by Vantage Point , sharing real conversations and practical insights from BC’s non-profit sector. Vantage Point provides high quality, practical education, facilitation, and consulting support to BC’s non-profit sector as well as programs that support sector success through convening, facilitation, and advocacy. Because when non-profits thrive, communities do too. Generously supported by our partners at Humanity Financial .

Guests: Megan Dykeman | British Columbia’s Parliamentary Secretary Prairie Chiu | Vantage Point's Director of Engagement and Advocacy Host: Zahra Esmail | Vantage Point's Chief Executive Officer Editor: Paul Wang 🎙️ From Our Vantage Point is a podcast by Vantage Point , sharing real conversations and practical insights from BC’s non-profit sector. Vantage Point provides high quality, practical education, facilitation, and consulting support to BC’s non-profit sector as well as programs that support sector success through convening, facilitation, and advocacy. Because when non-profits thrive, communities do too. Generously supported by our partners at Humanity Financial .

Guests: Dr. Delbar Niroushak | Dr. Delbar's LinkedIn | Coaching for Change Enterprise Hassan Pardawalla | Hassan's LinkedIn Host: Rachelle Smalldon | Vantage Point Editor: Elijah Walsh 🎙️ From Our Vantage Point is a podcast by Vantage Point , sharing real conversations and practical insights from BC’s non-profit sector. Vantage Point provides high quality, practical education, facilitation, and consulting support to BC’s non-profit sector as well as programs that support sector success through convening, facilitation, and advocacy. Because when non-profits thrive, communities do too. Generously supported by our partners at Humanity Financial .