CitySpaces facilitated a non-profit merger between the Greater Vancouver Shelter Strategy (GVSS) and Shelter Net BC (SNBC) into the new Homelessness Services Association of BC (HSABC).
Before the non-profit merger, GVSS coordinated homeless service organizations in the Metro Vancouver area and undertook homelessness related research and advocacy. Concurrently, SNBC coordinated homeless service organizations across the Province, including some organizations in Metro Vancouver, and provided training for its members. The non-profit merger process provided the space for open dialogue between organizations to consider merging into one, integrated entity towards providing cohesive support to its members and a unified voice addressing homelessness in BC.
CitySpaces facilitated the non-profit merger exploratory process and supported the respective boards with undertaking due diligence to identify opportunities and risks involved in a non-profit merger, including:
- Prepared a background report on current and anticipated needs facing the homelessness services sector.
- Prepared a background report on non-profit mergers, including case studies, lessons learned from other non-profit mergers, and legal considerations.
- Facilitated board to board workshops to identify respective organizational strengths, weaknesses, mandates and bylaws, member services, organizational structures, challenges, and aspirations.
- Prepared a non-profit merger framework, creating a mission and vision statement, organization guiding principles, proposed organizational structure including staff and governance structure, member services, and approach to building relationships with other organizations and sectors.
- Rebranding of the newly merged entity including logo, name and liaison with the BC Registry.
- Engaged respective members (survey and AGM resolutions), and interviews with staff.
- With support from Norton Rose Fulbright non-profit merger lawyers, prepared new constitution and bylaws to align with new Societies Act and align with the new HSABC organizational structure.
- Prepared the terms of reference for a new Executive Director and provided logistical support to recruit and interview.
- Supported the Executive Director in early days of the non-profit merger transition.
The non-profit merger created an organization that combines existing staff, resources and functions of the former GVSS and SNBC, providing more effective, efficient and enhanced programs, services, research and training for respective members working to address homelessness across BC. As a solution-focused, collaborative organization, HSABC supports their members, including outreach providers, shelter providers and drop-in centres, to provide synchronized efforts, exchange information and work together to improve service delivery. HSABC aims to raise the profiles of homelessness issues in BC, and work closely with agencies, government bodies and individuals to address challenges together.
PROJECT TEAM:
Jada Basi Jim Beaudreau Gwyn Symmons Talia Kerr