Module 1: Governance, Compliance & Policy Stewardship
Build your foundation in legal and ethical governance
- Understand legal and regulatory compliance requirements for Canadian nonprofits
- Master the three fiduciary duties: care, loyalty, and obedience
- Navigate CRA requirements for registered charities
- Develop, approve, and maintain effective governance policies
- Establish ethical standards and organizational integrity
- Ensure alignment with bylaws and governance best practices
Module 2: Roles, Responsibilities & Effective Board Operations
Clarify roles and optimize how your board functions
- Define roles of individual board members and officers
- Understand collective board authority and accountability
- Navigate the critical Board-Executive Director relationship
- Structure effective board and committee operations
- Facilitate inclusive, productive, and efficient meetings
- Establish clear boundaries between governance and management
Module 3: Strategic Planning, Monitoring & Organizational Performance
Lead with strategic vision and track meaningful impact
- Clarify and strengthen mission, vision, and strategic priorities
- Engage effectively in strategic planning processes
- Establish performance indicators and impact measurement systems
- Monitor organizational progress and outcomes
- Make strategic course corrections based on data and learning
- Balance long-term vision with operational realities
Module 4: Leadership Selection, Support & Evaluation
Manage the board's most critical human resource decisions
- Navigate the Executive Director hiring and onboarding process
- Conduct meaningful ED performance evaluations
- Develop succession plans for ED and board leadership
- Support leadership while maintaining accountability
- Handle leadership transitions with confidence
- Build a culture of constructive feedback and growth
Module 5: Financial Stewardship & Governance Accounting
Exercise confident financial oversight and accountability
- Approve budgets and provide strategic financial oversight
- Understand nonprofit financial statements and fund accounting
- Ensure financial reporting transparency and accuracy
- Oversee audits, internal controls, and fiscal accountability
- Monitor long-term financial sustainability
- Identify financial red flags and ask the right questions
Module 6: Risk Management & Opportunity Oversight
Navigate risks and opportunities with strategic confidence
- Identify strategic, financial, operational, and reputational risks
- Develop risk mitigation strategies for legal, financial, and compliance issues
- Oversee positive risks and opportunities (innovation, partnerships, growth)
- Practice risk-informed decision-making
- Build organizational resilience and adaptive capacity
- Balance risk aversion with strategic boldness
Module 7: Representation, Public Trust & Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging (EDIB)
Lead with integrity and build inclusive governance culture
- Serve as effective ambassadors and public representatives
- Navigate public communication, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement
- Represent your mission and communities served ethically
- Embed equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging in governance
- Build boards that reflect the communities you serve
- Create cultures of belonging where all voices are valued
