MESSAGE | IMPACT - Happening OBNL 2024 - Groupe 3737

The Happening OBNL 3737, organized by Groupe 3737, has established itself as a major national gathering for community sector leaders. Over three days, leaders, experts, and representatives from nonprofit organizations (NPOs) exchanged ideas on capacity building, leadership, and collaboration.

Jason Zerville, coordinator at Groupe 3737, emphasized that this initiative is part of a collective approach:

“Each month, we bring organizations together to learn, share, and collaborate. The Happening OBNL 3737 is a national extension of that mission.”

The event featured renowned speakers, including LinkedIn Vice President Katheline Jean-Pierre and the Chief of the SVPM, who discussed leadership and organizational transformation.

For Catherine Simard from Centraide of Greater Montreal, the gathering was “an extraordinary opportunity to meet change-makers and open up to new practices.”

Saindul Manuel, founder of Weekend, reminded participants that “everyone has a role to play in becoming a leader within their community.”

During a discussion on community cohesion, John Leier (NSK) and former SPVM officer Denis Perrier highlighted the unifying power of leadership:

“There is only one race: the human race. That’s the message we must keep in mind,” said Perrier.

Carole Da Silva, president of Femmes et Pouvoir Télévision, praised the event as “a source of inspiration and knowledge about the nonprofit ecosystem.”

Stéphan Bon, founder of Comino, presented his platform dedicated to NPO productivity and reminded participants of “the importance of the skills required to make a strong impact in society.”

For Adama Dialo of Jesca Guinée and Solidaire du Canada, these discussions inspired new approaches tailored to the realities of Black communities. Moses Gashirabtier, co-founder of the Rwandan International Youth for Development, also praised “the impact of Groupe 3737’s leadership across Canada.”

National figures such as Rustom Southwell and Matthew Martel of the Black Business Initiative emphasized governance and transparency as cornerstones of trust.

Karenta, from Tropicanic Community Services, highlighted the importance of well-being:

“In the nonprofit sector, we take care of others but often forget to take care of ourselves.”

At the heart of all the discussions, one message stood out clearly: the power of collective work.

“No one succeeds alone. Financial, human, and organizational partnerships strengthen the added value we bring to communities,” reminded a representative of Groupe 3737.