Vision 2020 National Settlement Conference

The “Vision 2020 National Settlement Conference”  will take place on November 13-15, 2013 at the Delta Ottawa City Centre Hotel in Ottawa.  Funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), the conference will be a gathering of management personnel from the network of CIC-funded Immigrant Serving Organizations (ISOs), various levels of government, regulatory bodies and the private sector that are working directly or indirectly in delivering settlement services to newcomers across the country.

The purpose of the conference is to discuss possible future pathways the Settlement Program might take in light of recent changes to program governance and immigration selection policy, and how to best meet the current and expected needs of clients.

Sector Representation: 

There is an overall cap on attendance set at 300 people from the CIC-funded service delivery network. Overall distribution of seats among provinces is based on a formula that reflects the settlement of newcomers across the country. The maximum number of delegate seats available in Ontario is 100. Due to the limited number of delegate seats, the target audience for the invitations is at a senior level within each selected organization (e.g., executive director or senior manager).

OCASI is responsible for assisting in the delegate selection process in Ontario (CIC funded members and non-members). Please note that members of the National Settlement Council are automatically considered conference delegates (8 seats). Representatives of the Ontario Settlement Sector and other stakeholders will fill the remaining 92 seats. Our task is to ensure that the following are taken into consideration:

A regional balance from all areas of Ontario. The breakdown is as follows:

• Central East – 5 delegates
• Central West – 5 delegates
• East – 7 delegates
• North – 2 delegates
• South – 6 delegates
• Toronto – 40 delegates
• West – 6 delegates

The distribution of seats reflects the number and size of service providers in each region.

Other seats will be allocated to other Stakeholder Groups including mainstream and educational Institutions delivering settlement services (e.g., school boards, colleges, etc.) and the Local Immigration Partnerships (non OCASI members).

The following criteria will be used to select Ontario delegates:

• Executive Director or Senior Manager
• CIC Funded Organizations
• Multi Service Organizations
• Demonstrated Sector/Community Engagement (participation in OCASI and other sector initiatives)
• Participation in LIPS or other local planning initiatives
• Service to diverse populations (women, LGBTQ, disability, refugees, francophones)
• Availability to attend for the duration of the conference (3 days)

Responds within the deadline (with the completed registration form). Due to time restrictions late registration forms will not be considered.

OCASI will ensure sector representation is achieved. If you wish to participate, please complete the registration form. Deadline for Submission is Friday, July 26, 2013.

As spaces are limited, we encourage you to discuss the possibility of participation with your colleagues and other sector partners. OCASI will not consider multiple registration forms from one single organization.

If you are selected as an official delegate, the conference will cover the costs of your travel, accommodation, and meals.

Important: Please note that OCASI will notify you if you are or not selected to be part of the Ontario delegation. The final list of delegates then will be forwarded to Jangles Productions who are the Conference organizers. Delegates will receive a formal invitation and logistical information directly from the Conference organizers. A conference website is being developed and selected delegates will be asked to use it to register for the conference and select from a list of breakouts.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns please contact Martha Orellana at OCASI at (416) 322-4950, ext. 230 or morellana@ocasi.org.  Source: OCASI (Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants)

Registration Form: http://www.ocasi.org/vision-2020-national-settlement-conference-registration-form

For more information, please visit: www.settlementatwork.org.