Sallyann Della Casa, founder of The Growing Leaders Foundation says the archaic, dinosaur-like charity systems of NGOs must give way to social enterprise.Della Casa said she wanted to help people move away from the dependency syndrome and handouts and not only teach them how to fish, but how to market and sell it also.She said this was done by nurturing their natural talents, giving them the right tools and combining it with business acumen.
The dreamer in chief and lead tree shaker of the foundation said, "We need to be moving away from NGOs and charity and move into social enterprise."That's my big issue, getting companies and people to move away from this whole charity and philanthropy and get into social enterprise which is a hybrid between an NGO and a full profit organisation.
"In that way you're addressing the societal issues but using your business knowledge to do it, and also creating some kind of income producing activity so you're not totally dependent on someone writing you a cheque."Della Casa said she was not discouraging anyone from making charitable donations or grants but income generated activity was also needed.
She cited The National Centre for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) in San Fernando as an example of a facility which promoted opportunities for trained individuals with disabilities to gain employment while offering skilled business services as well.Della Casa said the foundation was going to introduce the public to the concept of social entrepreneurship, where young people and adults get into business not only for monetary gain but to also make a positive impact on social issues or the environment.
The foundation will be hosting Hives (which comes from the concept of bees/pollination/germinate) "where young people can pollinate their business ideas and demonstrate how they would be utilising their business modules to uplift the country."Della Casa said, "The Hive focuses on people in our community successfully running or developing social enterprises in art, food, education, environmental and business sectors."
She said, "The Hive's future of business and branding session pulls it all together and sends a clear message that ethical action equals sustainable action."Forum participants will learn how to develop and maintain ethical practices with social impact, she said. "They will be using start-ups and established role models from the community to connect with the audience. We will educate, stimulate and pollinate and affirm that everyone can strive to run healthy businesses that help the planet and society as a whole."
Della Casa said that ethical within the context of the Hive means: "To be cause-committed, authentic, community engaged, and morally and culturally aligned to help the planet and society as a whole."
Hive events
The five Hive events are scheduled for December:
December 1-Art Hive at the Medulla Gallery, Fitt Street, Woodbrook
December 2-Business Hive "Ethical Business" at 6:30-8 pm at the Arthur Lok Jack School of Business, Champs Fleurs
December 3-Innovation In Education Hive at Woodford Square 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm
December 5-The Future of branding Hive 9:30 am -12 pm at the Arthur Lok Jack School of Business, Champs Fleurs.
December 7-Food Hive "Deconstructing Food Security" at the Upmarket, Woodbrook 1 pm to 3pm.
The Foundation has been implementing leadership programmes into schools all over the country. Their core age group is eight to 12 year olds.
The Growing Leaders Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation based in T&T. The organisation is headed by Sally Della Casa, whose portfolio is listed as dreamer-in-chief and lead tree shaker.