Board Leadership Training Event

Join us for a full-day professional training event designed for board members, non-profit leaders, and community volunteers across Southeastern Alberta. Strengthen your governance skills, network with peers, and gain the tools you need to lead your organization with confidence.

This year’s seminar features:

• A keynote workshop with Yvonne Chenier on timely governance topics for non-profits

• Interactive breakout sessions to choose from throughout the day

• Opportunities to connect with local leaders and share best practices

*If your organization experiences financial barriers but you would like to attend, please reach out to admin@cfsea.ca or call 403-527-9038.

 

Breakout Session Descriptions:

Board Basics 101: Governance Foundations of Non-Profit Leadership

Boards function most effectively when everyone on the board knows what their responsibilities are and what is expected of them. Join us for an interactive session to learn more about:

• Legal landscape of non-profit organizations
• Key roles and core responsibilities of board members
• Skills and qualities of effective boards

A toolkit filled with practical resources for boards will also be provided at the conclusion of the session.  

 

Risky Business: Understanding Risk and Legal Fundamentals for Non-Profits

Running a non-profit comes with unique legal responsibilities and risks. To lead effectively, it helps to understand the legal framework that governs the organization—and the protections and liabilities that come with it.

In this practical workshop, an experienced charity lawyer will guide you through the legal fundamentals of non-profit governance and risk management. You’ll learn:

• How to identify the legal framework that applies to your organization—and where to find it.
• The core duties of board directors and how they relate to managing organizational risk.
• What liability protections exist for board members—and what gaps may remain.
• How to begin identifying and assessing risks within your non-profit.

 

Blueprints for Board Success: Understanding Bylaws and Policies

Written guidelines for the governance of your organization can save you and your board time and energy, but sometimes it is hard to know what information should go in which documents. What are the differences between policies and bylaws? What about objects, and procedures? How do you ensure that what you have on file is adequate and useful? This session will provide practical tips to help your board function more smoothly.

Clear, up-to-date bylaws and policies are essential for good governance. In this interactive session, you’ll learn about the fundamentals of your governance documents and how they are designed to guide your board’s work. This session will provide practical tips and resources to help your board gain insight into the importance of effective bylaw and policy practices.

 

Strengthening Non-Profit Success: The Board’s Role in Human Resource Management

Non-profit Board members play a vital role in shaping a healthy organizational culture, supporting effective leadership, and ensuring long-term mission impact. This interactive session is designed to elevate Board members’ understanding of their responsibilities in overseeing Human Resources (HR) and fostering organizational excellence.

We’ll explore the Board’s essential HR oversight duties, from policy development to executive leadership evaluation, with practical guidance tailored for the non-profit context:

• HR Policy Essentials: What every Board needs to know—core elements, legal compliance, and aligning with your organization’s values.
• Employment Contracts: The Board’s role in ensuring clear, effective, and legally sound employment agreements.
• Supporting the Executive Director: Frameworks and tips for meaningful performance appraisals, setting goals, and offering constructive feedback.
• Fundamental HR Considerations: Understanding job descriptions, best practices for hiring processes, and the Board’s part in setting compensation strategies.
• Performance Management: The Board’s role in supporting and evaluating organizational performance while balancing oversight and operational boundaries.

Participants will leave with a clearer sense of how proactive Board involvement in HR policy and leadership can mitigate risk, enhance team capacity, and further their non-profit’s mission. Ideal for current and aspiring Board members, this session blends real-world scenarios with actionable takeaways, empowering your Board to govern with confidence and care.

 

Recruitment, Retention, & Results: Tools for Attracting and Activating Board Members

Learn practical ways to recruit great board members, keep them engaged, and get results. This interactive session gives current non-profit board members tools to strengthen their board’s culture, attract new talent, and activate every member’s potential.

 

Money Stuff for Boards: Financial Oversight for Board Excellence

Serving on a non-profit or charitable board is about more than passion for the cause—it also means taking legal and ethical responsibility for the organization’s financial health. This session will demystify “money stuff” for board members by breaking down key concepts in plain language, without the accounting jargon.

We’ll explore:

• The three core fiduciary duties under Canadian law—duty of care, duty of loyalty, and duty of obedience—and how they apply to charitable organizations.
• The board’s role in financial oversight, including budget approval, financial statement review, and risk management.
• Understanding charity-specific compliance requirements in Canada, such as CRA regulations, receipting rules, and restricted funds management.
• Practical tools for asking the right questions and making informed financial decisions without needing to be a financial expert.

By the end of this session, participants will have the confidence to fulfill their fiduciary responsibilities, protect the organization’s assets, and support long-term mission success.

 

Agenda: