The Saskatchewan Voluntary Sector in the Context of Social Enterprise: A Case Study of Family Service Regina

Abstract

Using a prominent community-based organization as a case study, this paper argues that a well-rounded conceptualization of the voluntary sector in Saskatchewan includes recognition of social entrepreneurship as a historical and contemporary reality. Discussions of the voluntary sector that focus exclusively or primarily on volunteerism omit an important dimension of the social and economic life of the province. As the Government of Saskatchewan and the voluntary sector move forward to formalize their relationship, consideration should be given to incorporating acknowledgement of social entrepreneurship as a valued component of the government/voluntary sector partnership. In the same way that government, through its policies and programs, seeks to encourage private business investment in the for-profit sector, it might also consider the active promotion of social enterprise in the nonprofit sector.