Increasing learning opportunities for community: New ideas for cultural leaders

Effectively leading a cultural organization requires an openness to change and growth. There are always new ideas, topics and leading practices waiting to be explored. This past year, SaskCulture offered members and others in the community several learning sessions on topics of interest. These online Lunch and Learn sessions were designed to provide cultural leaders with a quick introduction to emerging topics, along with ideas they could immediately put into practice.

In November 2023, SaskCulture offered "Financial Health & Sustainability for Non-Profits" presented by James Barr and Diana Leray, from KPMG. The session covered how board members should review an organization’s financial statements and how to understand risks such as the potential misuse of funds or failure to adhere to laws and regulations. Different types of fraud, such as funding fraud, embezzlement and vender fraud, were discussed along with important systems of control.

In December 2023, cultural leaders were invited to attend "Artificial Intelligence (AI): Myths, Needs, and Opportunities," presented by Amy Sample Ward, CEO, NTEN. Participants learned about AI, its current uses, as well as its potential to support work processes. The session focused on developing equitable practices and sound policies to guide the use of AI in organizations, as well as efforts to eliminate bias in results.

In January 2023, SaskCulture’s Communication Manager Diane Ell presented on "Strengthening Your Social Media Marketing in 2024." This session focused on ways non-profit cultural organizations could build their organization’s social media presence by developing a strategy, effectively using tools, and designing and sharing value-added posts for intended target audiences.

Later in February 2023, SaskCulture offered "Intro to Cultural Humility Training" presented by Melody Wood, of Aboriginal Friendship Centres of Saskatchewan (AFCS). The presentation provided an overview of the training program offered by AFCS designed to help participants gain knowledge and tools/techniques to create and offer culturally safe and inclusive programs and services for racialized and marginalized communities. Originally developed for use in the health-care sector, the program has been redeveloped by AFCS into a three-hour session of interest to the wider community.

By fiscal year-end, SaskCulture was already planning more sessions for the upcoming year, including a session on Governance to be presented by Dawn Martin. Other topics identified in the 2023 Member Survey are being explored.