No 'status' to running non-profits
By John Mohan

Recently the entire country has been abuzz with news of the government funded non-profit agency accused by Winnipeg police of fronting gang activity.

Charges have been laid against staff and residents, including obstruction of justice, breach of recognizance and drug possession.

Paa Pii Wak (meaning "gathering of many different spirits" in Ojibwa) was intended to operate as a transitional housing shelter to assist aboriginal males wanting to escape gangs and associated activity.

Financed through government support and utilizing traditional aboriginal culture and spirituality-based programs it was envisioned elders and former gang members would help troubled youth make better choices.

Started in 2003 it was announced as a first in Canada, operating with traditional holistic healing practices while utilizing ex-offenders to deliver the programming. Hopes were high for Paa Pii Wak but somewhere along the way it all fell apart.

In 2006 rumours circulated the non-profit was not all it appeared to be and instead of helping gang members find a way out, it was actually perpetuating the addictions and crime that goes with the lifestyle. Some of the staff and board realized there were problems and reportedly asked for help. Whether their cries fell on deaf ears or they didn't like the advice offered is a matter of dispute. Realizing they'd lost control, board members began resigning until none were left. Paa Pii Wak has operated for the last six months without any board oversight. Government partners cut funding. The few advocates who still support them claim the concept is good, and want the program resurrected and funding restored.

The general public is saying, "You've got to be kidding!"

With experience running a non-profit myself, I have some thoughts in case anyone is wondering.

First, the future of Paa Pii Wak is dependent on how seriously the board of directors is going to take its fiduciary obligations, and responsibilities to the community and those the program is intended to serve. Being a board member of a non-profit or registered charity should not be seen as a status symbol -- there are serious and legal obligations that go with it.

Second, financial support from any source should never be seen as an entitlement. It's a trust others put in your organization to deliver what you say you will with the highest of standards.

Third, make it a priority to gain the trust and support of the broader community. Government funding is never permanent and good programs shouldn't die with the last cheque from Ottawa or the province.

Paa Pii Wak can be a strong organization if they will foster goodwill with the larger non-aboriginal population of Winnipeg for support.

Lastly, foster high aspirations for the people in your programs. Keeping people out of gangs and jail is a good start, but not as good a goal as developing them into successful, contributing members of society.

That will be determined largely by the front-line staff and volunteers. Recruiting professionals like accountants or teachers or business owners as mentors may give people something bigger to dream for instead of just staying away from crime.

But then again, what do I know since I was never in a gang.

Originally printed in the Winnipeg Sun, Wednesday, January 21, 2009.
Reprinted with the permission of Sun Media Corporation.