Social Impact Starter Series
Workshops that build skills, confidence, and mindset to transform ideas into meaningful impact.
Social Impact Starter Series
Great ideas alone don't create change - people do.
The Social Impact Starter Series is an interactive workshop series for social innovators to build the skills, confidence, and strategies to create meaningful and sustainable change.
The series is for anyone who wants to gain practical, hands on learning to move an idea from concept to action.
Each session builds upon the next. Participants will:
- Learn how to communicate ideas clearly and authentically
- Identify the core problem you are solving and who you are solving it for
- Build confidence in public speaking and pitching to diverse audiences
- Develop meaningful, sustainable relationships rooted in reciprocity
- Leave with an actionable path to move your idea forward
Your Superpower is Your Story: Discover your Narrative
Session 1: Tues, September 15, 2026
Hybrid: PF4220 A 4th Floor (in-person) or Zoom
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Participant Outcome: Identify what matters and why.
- Discover and articulate your "why".
- Develop a clear and authentic story that inspires action, builds trust, and influences change.
- Adapt your story for different opportunities/audiences.
REGISTRATION OPENS SOON.
Zoom link provided upon registration.
Craft a Compelling Problem Statement & Value Prop
Session 2: Tues, October 6, 2026
Hybrid: PF4220A 4th Floor (in-person) or Zoom
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Participant Outcome: Clearly define the problem and value.
- Develop a clear and compelling problem statement that clarifies who benefits and how.
- Craft a compelling value proposition.
- Leave with tools to strengthen research proposals, grant applications, and pitches.
REGISTRATION OPENS SOON.
Zoom link provided upon registration.
Elevate Your Public Speaking & Pitching Skills
Session 3: Tues, October 27, 2026
Hybrid: PF4220A 4th Floor (in-person) or Zoom
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Participant Outcome: Communicate ideas with confidence.
- Learn practical frameworks for delivering engaging presentations.
- Build confidence communicating complex ideas.
- Explore strategies for adapting your message for diverse audiences.
REGISTRATION OPENS SOON.
Zoom link provided upon registration.
Build Your Digital Presence for Impact
Session 4: Tues, November 17, 2026
Hybrid: PF4220A 4th Floor (in-person) or Zoom
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Participant Outcome: Increase visibility and credibility.
- Define your personal or organizational brand.
- Develop a professional digital presence that reflects your work and expertise.
- Learn practical approaches to website creation, social platforms, digital assets and online discoverability.
REGISTRATION OPENS SOON.
Zoom link provided upon registration.
Mastering Customer Discovery
Session 5: Tues, December 1, 2026
Hybrid: PF4220A 4th Floor (in-person) or Zoom
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Participant Outcome: Validate assumptions through customer discovery.
- Learn how customer discovery helps validate ideas before investing time and money.
- Identify key assumptions about your idea and create strategies to test them.
- Explore approaches to learn more about your customers and users.
REGISTRATION OPENS SOON.
Zoom link provided upon registration.
FAQs
Hybrid! Attend in-person at the University of Calgary (room details provided upon registration) or join virtually over Zoom. Links will be sent to registrants in advance.
You are welcome to join as many sessions you like. Quick recaps are provided, but you'll get the most value if you've joined earlier sessions.
Yes, interactive mapping, group discussions, and personalized feedback in a supportive space are part of each session. These sessions are designed as workshops.
- Early-stage social innovators and entrepreneurs
- Professionals seeking purpose-driven work
- Anyone ready to move from ideas to impact
The Social Impact Starter Series is co-hosted by UCalgary's Social Innovation Initiative and the Faculty of Nursing's Health Systems Transformation Initiative (HIVE).
