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RFP - Environmental Scan for Strategic Positioning

Seeking Indigenous Expertise for SchoolBOX's Environmental Scan and Strategic Analysis

SchoolBOX is a small non-governmental organization committed to working with Indigenous communities to enhance access to education. We are seeking proposals from qualified Indigenous-led individuals or groups to conduct an environmental scan and provide strategic guidance. The purpose of this scan is to gather comprehensive data and insights that will aid us in strategic decisions regarding SchoolBOX’s future mission, vision, and values.

The environmental scan aims to assess external factors that may impact SchoolBOX’s operations, growth, and sustainability. By conducting a comprehensive analysis, we seek to identify emerging trends, potential risks, and opportunities that can inform our strategic decisions in the years ahead. The findings of the environmental scan will serve as a valuable resource for the Board of Directors and the management team as we develop and refine our organizational goals and objectives.
We are actively seeking qualified indigenous-led organizations or firms with expertise in environmental scanning and strategic analysis to undertake this important project. If you or your organization specialize in this area, we encourage you to contact us for further information and to express your interest. Together, we can contribute to shaping the future of SchoolBOX and its commitment to providing quality education.

For more details and to express your interest, contact our designated representative, Stephanie Potter at stephanie@schoolbox.ca. We welcome your inquiries and look forward to receiving proposals from potential partners who can provide valuable insights to help guide SchoolBOX’s future planning efforts.

Thank you for your attention and your interest in supporting SchoolBOX’s mission.

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Melanie Francis

Melanie Francis
Community and Education Engagement Coordinator  

Aanii Boozhoo! Niimi’iwe Shkode Kwe, Dancing Fire Woman is my spirit name. Migizi Dodem. (Eagle Clan). I am Ojibway and Algonquin from Timiskaming First Nation, residing on Mnidoo Mnising, Manitoulin Island. A proud Anishinaabe Kweand parent of 2 adult children, Nathaniel & Aysia. 

I have always had a deep passion for working alongside and advocating for children and families, and have devoted over 35 years to working in the early year sector where I have made a significant impact in various roles from day camps, childcare programs, and supporting children with special needs, developing and implementing healthy living programs for children and families along the way.  

I eventually transitioned into teaching adults with a focus on early childhood education, where I emphasize the importance of identity and overall well-being in children, including the family unit.  My work reflects the deep connection I foster within communities, with spirituality, and with our Indigenous culture and traditions, always approaching each experience with humility and a genuine desire to grow and learn.

I am committed to giving back and reminding us of the vital role we play in shaping future generations. With kindness, compassion, and enthusiasm, driven by the belief that the work we all do to contribute to the lives of children and families truly matters, and that each positive interaction we have makes a difference!

Giselle McGregor
Teacher

Aanii Kina Wiiya!!  Nimkii Waakeegan Kwe n’digo.  Ma’iigan dodem.  Waawaaskiningaa n’donjiba, Wiikwemikoong n’donjiba, maapii akiing n’donjiba. Bawating cognigo. Giselle McGregor zhaagnaash noozwin.

Hello Everyone!  The spirits know me as Thunder Rainbow Woman.  I am wolf clan.  I am from Whitefish River First Nation.  I am also originally from Wiikwemikoong.  I am from this land.  I grew up in Sault Ste. Marie.  My English name is Giselle McGregor.  I am proud Anishnaabe kwe.  I have been a teacher for 10 years and have taught and been apart of teaching Indigenous ways of knowing and being.  I have spent most of my teaching career in the early years sector.  I have just recently moved on to work with the Aadiziwin Team in my home community as the Anishnaabemowin Coordinator.  In this role we are revitalizing our Anishnaabemowin which includes but not limited to bringing different ways of learning the Ojibwe language through ceremony, drumming, being on the land and bringing these opportunities to the community for community.  I am a wife, a daughter, a granddaughter, a friend, a sister, an auntie and I am also the wind, the rain, the earth and the fire.  I am honoured also to be a board member of the Schoolbox organization.  Miwe!

Jim David
Founder, Trumpet Capital Corp.

Jim has been a vital supporter of SchoolBOX since the beginning. Jim travelled to Nicaragua in early 2008 to help construct one of our first schools and has been actively involved ever since. Jim is a commercial mortgage advisor and founder of Trumpet Capital Corp in Calgary, Alberta. He is passionate about yoga, and helping children in Nicaragua.

Tom Affleck
SchoolBOX Founder

Tom Affleck has lived and worked in Guatemala, Peru and Nicaragua. It was an unexpected encounter in Nicaragua, however, that sparked the SchoolBOX dream. In 2006 he gave two girls notebooks and pencils. One of the girls’ father said to her “now that you have a notebook and pencil you can go to school this year”. Tom saw his work building SchoolBOX as an opportunity to live out his faith and to break the bonds of poverty for thousands of children.

Jennette Affleck
Retired Teacher, co-founder of SchoolBOX

Jennette has been involved with early childhood education for her entire professional career. Jennette has taught in Boston, Toronto, the Ottawa Valley, and Monteverde, Costa Rica. Jennette was SchoolBOX’s longest serving Board member, has participated in 7+ school builds in Nicaragua, and was an integral part of our organization since its infancy.

Dina Bell-Laroche
Executive Coach, Sport Law & Strategy Group

Dina has been involved with SchoolBOX since 2012. In 2013, she led a team of youth to Nicaragua to participate in a school build and returned to Canada committed to making a difference. Dina’s experience in facilitation and strategic communications has been an asset to SchoolBOX. Dina believes that education really opens up opportunities for students in Nicaragua and strives to use her skills to create change.

Shannon O’Rourke

Shannon is passionate about unlocking human potential through meaningful education experiences and global community connections. Professionally, she is a marketing executive with 25 years of cross-industry experience in accelerating positive impact, innovation, and growth through the teams and organizations she serves. Shannon joined the board in 2023. She is honored to work with the SchoolBOX team to help make education possible and to further empower children, youth, families, and communities to live their best lives.

Stephanie Potter
Master Integral Coach, PhD

A longtime supporter of SchoolBOX activities, Stephanie, her husband, and youngest daughter joined a trip to Nicaragua in 2018 where they fell in love with the country and the communities they visited. After seeing the impact of SchoolBOX’s work first-hand, Stephanie was inspired to join the Board and did so in February 2020. Stephanie is humbled by the opportunity to lend her knowledge and skills to help make education – and therefore community and social change – possible through the work of SchoolBOX.

Jim Sale
Technology Executive

Jim‌ ‌is‌ ‌a‌ technology executive who spent his career with various product development and consulting organizations. Working with global ‌organizations‌ in the Life Sciences industry, Jim provides leadership on strategic programs involving technology, data, and advanced analytics to optimize‌ ‌organizational ‌effectiveness.‌ ‌He‌ ‌is‌ ‌a‌ ‌long-time‌ ‌supporter‌ ‌of‌ ‌SchoolBOX‌ ‌and‌ ‌had‌ ‌the‌ ‌opportunity‌ ‌to‌ ‌travel‌ ‌to ‌Nicaragua‌ ‌in‌ ‌2016‌ ‌to‌ ‌help‌ ‌build‌ ‌the‌ ‌Gilberto‌ ‌Siles‌ ‌school.‌ ‌Jim ‌joined‌ ‌the‌ ‌Board‌ ‌of‌ ‌Directors‌ ‌in‌ ‌2021‌ ‌with‌ ‌the‌ ‌goal‌ ‌of‌ ‌applying‌ ‌his‌ ‌energy‌, and‌ ‌experience‌ ‌to‌ ‌help‌ ‌deliver impactful programs that improve the lives and future opportunities for kids in underserved communities.

Natalie Gunn, Chair
Co-Owner, Oxford Learning Centre Kanata

Natalie was born with a passion for education, helping people and travel. Looking for a new volunteer project, she joined the Equator Coffee Roasters team and visited Nicaragua for a classroom build in November 2016 and proudly joined the Board of Directors in late 2017. Natalie is co-owner of the Oxford Learning Centre Kanata and committed to supporting children to reach their full potential.

Margie Graff
Retired Teacher

After 32 years of teaching with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, Margie retired and began volunteering with SchoolBOX’s Treaty 3 library partnerships. She was honoured to be entrusted with the ordering of Indigenous texts and resources for communities and schools, as well as travelling to two communities to lend a hand in setting up their library spaces. In 2022, Margie joined the board and continues to build on these wonderful experiences to ensure that all learners have the resources and opportunities to realize their dreams.

Jo Danaher
Financial Manager
finance@schoolbox.ca

Jo Danaher is our cheerful financial wizard. She keeps all of our SchoolBOX finances in order, and makes sure that we are meeting the highest standards for a charitable organization. Jo enjoys seeing the amazing power that the SchoolBOX community of volunteers and donors has to impact the education of so many children.

Rochelle Bragg
Social Media and Communications Manager
rochelle@schoolbox.ca

Rochelle is mixed Anishi but has much of her far jowin (Qj Cree) and Swiss-German, currently living in Treaty 19, ly living in Treaty 9, specifically the isolated community of Muskrat Dam First Nation. Rochelle is committed to speaking out on the Indigenous realities in  Canada and doing her part to help this next generation of Indigenous youth pursue their educational and personal goals.