MCIS’ Social Purpose
To uphold the human right to be informed, heard and understood.
MCIS’ Social Benefit Initiatives Fund
MCIS’ Social Benefits Initiative (SBI) Fund was created in 2016 with the objective to provide free language services to individuals and small organizations without the relevant funding for the purpose of creating intentional social impact. Social impact, a significant, positive change that addresses pressing social challenges, is a deliberate commitment to an identified set of actions and activities (e.g. programs, services or advocacy) that create positive social outcomes by reducing inequalities. Our commitment and strategies around advocating for improved access to critical information and services inclusive of health, employment, civic, legal and political rights, focus on two key areas:
- With language advocacy programs and initiatives, we promote language rights as human rights and are primarily interested in:
- Growing the seed of the provincial celebration of Language Advocacy Day we helped to get off the ground with the Language Access Coalition of Canada (LACC) locally, coast to coast to coast, and
- Collaborating on language access research and information sharing globally as one of the proud co-founders of the Global Coalition for Language Rights contributing to and shaping the language justice movement worldwide.
- With the provision of free or subsidized language services we learn about the systemic issues and language access gaps while creating innovative and more equitable language solutions. For example, whenever we notice large incoming migration movements to Canada or anticipate surges of non-funded requests, we respond by opening designated and targeted reach out through our free Humanitarian Help channels (please open a new page by copying the top text on this page https://www.mcislanguages.com/advocacy) to capture them by creating Interpreter cohorts (e.g. Syrian, Rohingya and Afghani Community Interpreters cohorts) and connect with language professionals on the ground.
From Mission to Purpose: Transforming Canadian Social Enterprises Through Human-Centered Governance
MCIS Language Solutions has embarked on a transformative journey to enhance its social impact and operational sustainability. This case study explores the organization’s evolution from a traditional government-funded nonprofit to a sustainable social enterprise, driven by a clear and compelling social purpose.
Key Highlights:
- Customized Growth Strategies:
- MCIS adopted organic growth strategies that proved more effective than top-down approaches.
- The implementation of the ISO 37000 Purpose-based Governance Standard played a crucial role in strengthening organizational frameworks 1.
- Cultural Alignment in Virtual and Hybrid Work Environments:
- The organization emphasized the importance of cultural alignment, especially in virtual and hybrid work settings.
- Clear purpose statements within governance models enhanced organizational resilience during the post-pandemic recovery period 1.
- Innovative Hiring Practices and Responsive Governance Structures:
- MCIS integrated innovative hiring practices and responsive governance structures to deeply embed social purpose throughout the organization.
- These practices helped create a more purposeful workplace and align operations with social impact 1.
- Social Economy and Non-Profit Sector:
- The Canadian nonprofit sector, which generates significant economic impact, faces challenges in maintaining financial sustainability while fulfilling social missions.
- MCIS’s approach to balancing social impact objectives with operational sustainability serves as a model for other organizations 1.
- Purpose Governance and Social Purpose Mobilization:
- The organization implemented purpose governance by integrating social purpose into decision-making processes.
- Strategies such as the Purpose Culture Scan and the Social Purpose Implementers and Change Champions programs were key to mobilizing social purpose 1.
- Employee Social Purpose Journey Mapping:
- MCIS evaluated the employee journey to enhance recruitment processes and align them with social purpose objectives.
- The onboarding process was restructured to integrate social purpose from the outset, resulting in improved employee engagement and work quality 1.
- Social Purpose Metrics:
- The organization measures social purpose and impact through the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ISO 37000 frameworks.
- MCIS focuses on SDGs related to good health, reduced inequalities, and peace, justice, and strong institutions 1.
Conclusion:
MCIS Language Solutions’ journey from mission to purpose demonstrates the power of integrating social impact with operational excellence. By viewing social impact as a catalyst for innovation and sustainable competitive advantage, MCIS has positioned itself as a leader in the language industry, fostering genuine human understanding across cultures and creating lasting positive change in the communities it serves 1.
To read more and get full access to the paper click here:
Here are additional examples of projects initiated or supported by the MCIS Social Benefits Fund 2016 – 2022:
- Healing Voices, Interpreting for Survivors of Trauma
- Our Language Rights Conference/ Language Advocacy Day 2022
- Our Language Rights Conference/ Language Advocacy Day 2021
- Homelessness Connect 2018-2022
- Covid-19 Help Fund 2019-2021 users’ stories (and multilingual resources)
- Pop-up Translation Clinic (@ The 519)
- Language Justice Series – Psiphon/ Localization Lab
- Language Advocacy on the Periphery Series
- Supporting language rights of LGBTQ asylum seekers and Ontario migrant workers
- Hackathons:
- unConference:
How MCIS Social Purpose Thrives
Interested to find out more?
- FIND OUT if you or your organization is eligible for free services!
- JOIN the Language Advocacy Day 2023 (#LAD23) coalition!
- COLLABORATE! Are you interested in language rights, advocacy, or partnerships, and you have an idea to share – contact us and subscribe to Our Language Rights Newsletter monthly!