Welcome to the inaugural edition of CultureLink’s electronic newsletter. It is the beginning of a new dawn at this organization. It is the first time that CultureLink is publishing a consolidated newsletter that will cover the entire organization and will replace the individual program-based publications. It is also marking the launch of our new Vision 2020: the Strategic Plan for 2015 – 2020 which was approved by the Board of Directors on July 6, 2015.

Over the past several years, immigration policies and funding models have been radically changing and additional changes are expected in the future. The newcomers who are now coming to Canada and the combinations of settlement services they will need also pose new challenges that CultureLink needs to prepare for and position itself properly.

CultureLink, therefore, plans to convert these challenges into opportunities by building on its past experiences, successes and strengths. We have recently reached out to all of our stakeholders through a comprehensive strategic planning process in order to identify, prioritize and recommend strategic directions for the next 3 – 5 years so that CultureLink’s journey is guided by a deeply shared understanding by the staff and Board of Directors. The outcome of this process was the birth of V2020 which included but not limited to the following six (6) strategic goals:

1. Deliver diversified and responsive programs that are based on our core strength;
2. Take a leadership role on key issues;
3. Achieve high brand recognition in community and donor markets;
4. Continue to build organizational capacity;
5. Implement an effective business model for resource development; and
6. Build effective social enterprise model.

The key message from the entire stakeholder community was for CultureLink to continue doing what we do best i.e. settlement service delivery, and also start exploring opportunities to engage the larger community on a needs assessment basis. I will make every attempt to keep you posted on the progress of achieving these goals as well as all and any other exciting news.

I commend my colleagues who, over and above their daily duties, spend countless hours to plan, prepare, produce and publish this fabulous newsletter. Thank you Editorial Team!