United Way of Calgary and Area's

Leading Boldly Network:

Social Innovation in Action

Collaborating for social innovation with lasting impact

The Leading Boldly Network is a United Way of Calgary and Area initiative to experiment, learn and innovate together. Beginning in January 2012, this network will foster a collaborative, proactive approach to social innovation that addresses key issues in our community. The Leading Boldly Network and its social innovation in action will create change and make a deeply significant and enduring impact on how social issues are addressed in the Calgary community.

 “Building relationships not only changes what we do, but how we do it – that creates a catalytic effect that can accelerate the impact we have in the community.” – Leading Boldly Network Participant

Social Innovation & The Leading Boldly Network

To the Leading Boldly Network, social innovations are ideas, both big and small, that address social, cultural and economic challenges. A true social innovation is systems-changing – it permanently alters the perceptions, behaviours and structures that previously gave rise to these challenges. The Leading Boldly Network will focus on social innovations that align with United Way’s Community Impact Strategy. United Way is proud of its role as a leader, convener and participant in positive social change in the community.

Innovation is a Collaborative Endeavor

“Working together to draw from each other’s experience, reduce competition and move beyond silos – innovation is a bi-product of trust.” – Leading Boldly Network Participant

Formal and informal networks of social innovators are already active in Calgary. Collaborative groups and leaders are helping to influence, stimulate, and challenge mindsets, practices and possibilities in the charitable sector. The Leading Boldly Network will link with the community to leverage both new and existing work for the benefit of all.

The Leading Boldly Network Seeks to:

• Inspire innovative approaches to solving social issues
• Create a social innovation network of organizations
• Develop bold leaders who will influence systems and policies
• Foster next generation leaders and organizations
• Achieve greater community impact in United Way’s investment areas

To do this, networks participants will:

• Collaborate toward achieving greater community impact through innovative approaches to solving social issues
• Align with United Way’s Community Impact Strategy
• Produce new ideas that work to solve social challenges
• Focus on sector-wide or community-wide benefits rather than individual agencies

Your Participation is Welcomed!

This work will be driven by community vision and priorities and cross-sectoral engagement. Working collectively we can actively support the vision of our city as one that can solve issues innovatively – together. The Leading Boldly Network will link to other social innovation organizations throughout Canada and draw on the leading knowledge in North America and globally. This initiative is an opportunity for us to innovate at a larger, systems level.

Change Starts Here.

This webpage will be the hub of our work. Here you can link in and be involved. We’ll share updates, research, opportunities to participate and progress. We’ll invite you to contribute, learn, get involved and challenge assumptions. This is the time for bold new thinking and social innovation in action!

Check back often!. This page will be updated regularly. For more information, please contact:

Talia Bell via email: talia.bell@calgaryunitedway.org

Or the network animators:

Monica Pohlmann via email: mpohlmann@telus.net

Sharilyn Amy via email:sharilyn.amy@shaw.ca