The Canadian Association of Family Enterprise (CAFE), a national organization of chapters, is Canada's only not-for-profit group dedicated exclusively to the support of family businesses.
National Programming – CAFE provides national programs such as the Family Business Meeting Facilitation Program, Personal Advisory Groups, and CAFEssentials.
- Family Business Meeting Facilitation Program – Family Councils are formats designed for families to run meetings covering family issues relating to the business, and personal goals. The course includes a CAFE trained Family Council facilitator, who assists in clarifying the boundaries between family, business and ownership; sharing information, opinions, ideas and concerns; planning for the future; examining the family's values; educating the family; and resolving conflict before it escalates.
- Personal Advisory Groups – Also known as PAGs, these groups of 10-12 individuals, meet regularly to share personal and business ideas and help each other overcome problems.
- CAFEssentials - Delivered in a short and flexible manner through the Internet, this program helps business families develop essential strategies for success. The CAFEssentials Program has been co-developed by CAFE and the Family Business Consulting Group. Session presenters are from the Family Business Consulting Group. Participate at your home or office through your desktop computer and phone system.
Tailored Programming – Local chapters provide a uniquely personal experience tailored to meet the distinct requirements of its chapter members, addressing the needs of everyone involved in the family business - owners, spouses, siblings, shareholders and professionals.
Advocacy – The CAFE National Advocacy Council represents key issues of its membership to the Federal Government. When confronted with new taxation issues such as wealth tax or old taxation issues such as inheritance tax, there is no other group representing the interests of family business in Canada with as much single mindedness of purpose as CAFE.
Website – Access the “members only” section on our website for up-to-date information on special member-only benefits, participate in member discussions and forums, and to access member programs and services, including a registry of Family Business Consultants.
Directory – This annual directory provides a valuable source for networking with other families in business across the country and with professionals who are family business specialists.
National Newsletter – The “Family Enterpriser” is a quarterly newsletter highlighting current family business topics.
Resource Library – This on-line resource offers a unique list of books and videos as well as results from ongoing research being conducted on Canadian family business.
Bi-Annual Symposium – This highly attended national event provides members from across the country the opportunity to come together to delve more deeply into family business issues and to build rich, lasting relationships with other committed and sharing family business owners from other chapters.
Sharing and Values – Networking opportunities, including sharing first-hand experiences with other families, are available through face-to-face interaction at CAFE events, programs, and workshops, and through a virtual medium, on the CAFE members-only website, where members can participate in online discussions and forums.
A combination of CAFE's broad base of membership, educational resources, Chapter workshops and forums, National programs, Personal Advisory Groups, National Advocacy Council and Bi-Annual Symposium, gives families in business valuable tools for success in the personal, family, corporate and public arenas.
