Our Programs
Framework has two core programs: Timeraiser and Civic Footprint. These two programs go hand in hand to connect people to causes they care about. Platformation is our research arm, where we are prototyping new platforms for information sharing. Finally, Organizational Pilates is a program that we are likely going to run separately from Framework. It will either be a social purpose business or social enterprise that helps earn income to keep the Timeraiser and Civic Footprint moving.
Timeraiser: Speed dating for volunteerism, with silent art auction twist
The Timeraiser is part volunteer fair, part silent art auction, and part night on the town. Throughout the evening meet with different agencies and match your skills to their needs. Once you have made your matches, you are eligible to bid on artwork. The big twist is rather than bid money, you bid volunteer hours. If you have the winning bid, you have 12 months to complete your pledge before bringing the artwork home as a reminder of your goodwill. Once the auction is over we announce the hours raised and then celebrate our contribution to the community. Visit www.timeraiser.ca for more information and current results.
Civic Footprint: Promoting life-long, active citizenship
In 2005, our team synthesized what we were hearing from our participants and agencies regarding more communication and opportunities throughout the year. The feedback included opportunities to attend events and other fundraising opportunities. This led to us developing our second program called Civic Footprint. Civic Footprint has proved to be a remarkably powerful way to communicate how someone attending a Timeraiser can think long-term about their contribution of time, talent, treasure and networks to causes that are important to them. We have been slowly integrating Civic Footprint programming into the Timeraiser model to provide a seamless platform between the two.
Platformation: Prototyping new platforms for information sharing
We are going to bench-test 200+ office productivity software applications across multiple platforms. These trials will include a full installation of free versus paid versions of software, particularly software that also has apps available for mobile use on the Blackberry App World, iPhone App Store and Android Marketplace. This testing includes prototyping a minimum of 25 use-cases (e.g. Small environmental organization, medium sized arts organization, large social service organization). Once documented and disseminated, we will engage the management of the most highly rated software and apps. The goal would be to enter into a generative discussion about how their companies can better support Canadian-based NGOs & charities.
NOTE ON PLATFORMATION: Click here to read about Phase 1 of project. We will be launching a Platformation website in early 2011.
Organizational Pilates: Strong core for good decision making
This is the most generative aspect of our work. Organizational Pilates builds on our technology testing methodology, relationships we have built with the North American technology community and our willingness to ‘share by default’. In many ways, ‘sharing by default’ has unearthed the possibility to launch a viable social enterprise/social purpose business by establishing an ‘open source’ repository of best practices for good decision-making. Our early initial market research indicates we have the opportunity to competitively offer products and services that will tap into North America’s $40 billion/year enterprise software, social media and mobile phone industry.
NOTE ON ORGANIZATION PILATES: We will be launching an Organizational Pilates website in early 2011.
