Ottawa Festivals Network
The Scottish Society of Ottawa and The Ottawa Festival Network are pleased to be joining forces! This partnership helps support a bright future for the SSO through volunteer networking, financial stability, and more public exposure.
By Dave Johnston
The Scottish Society of Ottawa is a member of the Ottawa FestivalsNetwork (OFN) which is Ottawa’s only festival, special event, and fair industry service organization. Established in 1996 the OFN’s own description includes the following: “…advances a dynamic industry through research, advocacy and education creating an effective networking environment for festivals, special events and fairs in Canada’s Capital Region. A not-for-profit service organization, they work cooperatively with members and partners towards a vibrant, inspired, and prosperous festival capital.”
The group’s goal is to create a vibrant, inspired, and prosperous festival capital. They currently have 80 members including Almonte Celtfest, Irish Society of Ottawa, HOPE Volleyball Summerfest, Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend, and Bluesfest.
The advantages of being a member of the OFN include access to volunteer networks, financial support, and wider public exposure for SSO events.
It is estimated that takes 15,000 volunteers every year to bring Ottawa’s festivals, special events, and fairs to life. As a member of the OFN, the SSO can leverage their extensive volunteer network to assist us in recruiting volunteers for conducting Hogman-eh! for example.
For the first time this year the SSO participated in the OFN’s annual volunteer fair which took place in April during National Volunteer Week. Our Hogman-eh! Director Donald MacDonald and Highland Dancers from the MacDonald Highland Dancers (no relation) performed at the event which was held at the St. Laurent Shopping Mall.
The OFN also maintains a Sustainability and Emergency Fund (SEF) which is collected from member organizations and is a financing tool that assists participating member festivals with their ongoing cyclical cash flow needs and may provide a source of emergency funding when unforeseen events arise that affect the cash flow requirements.
As a member of the OFN, the SSO receives wider public exposure of our largest and most public event Hogman-eh! through the organization’s networking platforms including their online festivals and industry news bulletins.
Piper Donald MacDonald and the MacDonald Highland Dancers (no relation) perform at the OFN Volunteer Fair