
Five Good Ideas for building fearless organizations
From Five Good Ideas Podcast by Maytree Foundation
March 9, 2026 · 47 min · Season 23 · Episode 4
About this episode
The episode discusses five strategies for charities to build fearless organizations in response to community crises.
In the face of changing government policies, deepening inequality, and community crises, charities must act forcefully to respond to their clients’ needs. They need to be fearless and use all of their tools to advocate and manage risk. The Neighbourhood Group Community Services and Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre experienced a trial by fire in 2025 that tested their resolve – they faced both the threat of closure and the actual closure of their supervised consumption services, resulting in a legal charter challenge to protect health care in their community. Two leaders came through more determined to act boldly to improve conditions for the people in their community. In conversation with Elizabeth McIsaac, Angela Robertson and Bill Sinclair presented their five ideas on how to be fearless, change how organizations work, and listen to our most vulnerable communities. - Angela Robertson is Executive Director or Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre - Bill Sinclair is President and Chief Executive Officer of The Neighbourhood Group Community Services - Elizabeth McIsaac is President of Maytree Five Good Ideas 1. Build a fearless board 2. Defend your rights and…
People in this episode
Host: Elizabeth McIsaac
Guests: Angela Robertson, Bill Sinclair
Topics covered
- fearless organizations
- community health
- advocacy
- risk management
- charity response
Keywords
- fearless organizations
- community services
- advocacy
- risk management
- charity
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre, The Neighbourhood Group Community Services, Maytree
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