Client Profiles
Ruby Lake Lagoon Nature Reserve Society
Sharp Six has worked with the Ruby Lake Lagoon Society to build their capacity in governance, funding, planning and major capital projects, all to further their mission of conserving biodiversity and providing environmental education on the Sunshine Coast.
The Lagoon Society works to preserve and enhance the natural habitat and wildlife of the Ruby Lake Lagoon, to facilitate local environmental education, and to assist in monitoring the ecological health of the Sunshine Coast. The Lagoon Society has developed a Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Strategy, and is creating a marine & freshwater research facility called PODS (Pender Ocean Discovery Station), to be an innovative and iconic hub for scientific research and education.
“Rachel is a consummate professional and a natural leader. She is the most well organized person I know and she is also a masterful strategist. Rachel positively delights in new challenges and you can absolutely rely on her to do what it takes to get a job done. A great listener but equally Rachel does not hesitate to make her views heard. She is dedicated to her work and tireless in her pursuit of team goals. She is quite simply the perfect choice for any board of directors.” – Michael Jackson, PhD, RP Bio, Executive Director
We have provided the Lagoon Society with:
Funding & Proposals
- Funding research for overall organizational growth as well as specific projects
- Task delegation and organization to take advantage of funding opportunities
- Reporting on grants and deliverables and assisting with funder relationships
Research & Project Coordination
- Project management to the PODS initiative (Pender Ocean Discovery Station)
- Demographic and policy research
Governance & Legal
- Governance workshops for the Board of Directors
- Support materials and advice to transition from a working board to a governance board and the hiring of the organization’s first Executive Director
- Support materials and strategy to develop an advisory council
- Policy development and drafting
Strategy & Communications
- Communications materials for PODS
- Meeting facilitation with various stakeholders and partners of the Lagoon Society
- Support with refining a mission statement
- Style, presentation & editing support for print and web content
Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition
We have had the pleasure of working with Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition on research and policy projects related to liquefied natural gas development, consultation on proper holders of Aboriginal rights and title, resource sector employment issues and building funding capacity with First Nations communities.
SWCC‘s mission is to “cultivate a sustainable future from a sustainable environment rooted in our culture and thriving wild salmon ecosystem.” SWCC was founded in 2004 by a diverse group of people living and working in the Skeena River watershed. They are united in understanding that short term industrial development plans, even 50 year plans, will not benefit their region in the long run if they undermine the social and environmental fabric that holds the watershed and its communities together.
We have provided SWCC with:
Funding & Proposals
- Funding and grant writing workshop for partnered First Nations
Research & Project Coordination
- Research on liquefied natural gas (LNG) development risks (see Risk Snapshots)
- Research on costs of misdirected consultation with First Nations on LNG development
Governance & Legal
- Research and legal opinion on proper Aboriginal rights and title holders for the purposes of consultation in relation to resource development and agreements (see briefing document)
Strategy & Communications
- Basic social media advice
PHS Community Services Society
Sharp Six has been able to assist PHS Community Services Society in building their governance policy and human resources infrastructure, and applying for and maintaining funding for their innovative service delivery models through social enterprises such as East Van Roasters, The Window and Hastings Urban Farm.
PHS has spent 20 years establishing healthcare & housing supports for the most marginalized of citizens in the Downtown Eastside community and beyond, many of whom live with addictions, mental illnesses or are sex trade workers. They operate 1100 units of supported housing as well as medical & dental clinics, Aboriginal programs, a grocery store, chocolate shop & café, arts shop, life skills centre & a community bank, as well as a supervised injection facility & needle exchanges. With the help of partners, they have been able to expand their initiatives, going beyond keeping people alive to providing them with transferable skills that lead to dignity & healing.
“Rachel’s nuanced understanding of both the non profit landscape and the complex logistical issues agencies and social enterprises are faced with have made her a valued professional asset. Her work is thorough, punctual, and consistently of notably high quality. Personally, her dedication to furthering the work of nonprofits and innovative businesses is clear. The passion she has pursued the projects assigned with ensures our work is being handled by a knowledgeable ally with a keen sense of social justice, and high ethical standards.” – staff member of PHS
We have provided PHS with:
Funding & Proposals
- Grant writing and reporting for PHS’s projects, including: East Van Roasters, The Window Community Arts Shop, youth and womens’ programming.
Governance & Legal
- Governance policy review and drafting at the board and committee level
- Human resources and workplace safety policy review, drafting and staff manual review
Strategy & Communications
- Advice on communicating & implementing new policies and practices
Some of the great organizations we’ve worked with
