Services and information
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Find publications that can help non-profit board members improve skills and gain knowledge in board governance.
Overview
The Board Development Program (BDP) focuses on improving the governance of non-profit organizations through:
- curriculum-based training for individuals and groups on topics like board roles and responsibilities, policy development and effective use of committees
- volunteer instructor opportunities
- consultation and presentation services
Workshops
The BDP offers multi-board training in the form of Introduction to Board Governance Workshops.
These workshops are for individual board volunteers and non-profit staff from any non-profit organization as well as anyone generally interested in governance. They allow you to share proven successful ideas from other boards that have gone through similar situations. An Introduction to Board Governance Workshop is sponsored by any organization on behalf of the larger community anywhere in Alberta.
Co-sponsoring a workshop
If you are interested in co-sponsoring an Introduction to Board Governance Workshop with the Board Development Program, please email communitydevelopment@gov.ab.ca for more information.
Attending a workshop
If you are interested in attending an Introduction to Board Governance Workshop, please check our current schedule below for a list of upcoming workshops, their dates and locations. If you are interested in registering for one of the workshops, please get in touch with the contact that is listed for that workshop so that they can provide you with the registration details.
Introduction to Board Governance Workshop schedule
Thursday, September 5, 2019, 8 am to 4:30 pm
Miquelon Lake Provincial Park, Alberta
Host: Alberta Invasive Species Council
Register by contacting Delinda at execdirector@abinvasives.ca or 587-999-0954.
Registration closes August 29.
Saturday, September 7, 2019, 8 am to 4:30 pm
Whitecourt, Alberta
Host: Town of Whitecourt
Register by calling Allan and Jean at 780-778-3637.
Registration closes August 23.
Workshop poster (PDF, 1.1 MB) .
Friday, September 13, 2019, 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm and Saturday, September 14, 2019, 9 am to 5:30 pm
Medicine Hat, Alberta
Host: Shortgrass Library System
Register and get more information on the workshop.
Wednesday, September 18, 2019 and Wednesday, September 25, 2019, 8:30 am to 2 pm both days
Edmonton, Alberta
Host: City of Edmonton
Registration opening soon.
Sunday, September 22, 2019, 8 am to 4:30 pm
Calgary, Alberta
Host: Jewish Family Services Calgary
Register by emailing barb@jfsc.org
Wednesday, September 25, 2019, 8 am to 4:30 pm
Conklin, Alberta
Host: Janvier Sekweha Youth Centre
Registration opening soon.
Friday, September 27, 2019, 6 pm to 9:30 pm and Saturday, September 28, 2019, 8 am to 4:30 pm
Chestermere, Alberta
Host: Synergy Youth and Community Development Society
Find more information here or register by emailing coralee@yoursynergy.ca.
Tuesday, October 1, 2019 and Wednesday, October 2, 2019, 9 am to 2 pm both days
Cochrane, Alberta
Host: Town of Cochrane Family and Community Support Services
Register here starting August 2019.
For questions contact Renita at 403-851-2252 or Renita.Bartlett@cochrane.ca
Friday, October 4, 2019, 2:30 pm to 5 pm and Saturday, October 5, 2019, 8 am to 4:30 pm
Edmonton, Alberta
Host: Edmonton Chamber of Voluntary Organizations (ECVO)
Register and get information on the workshop here.
Wednesday, October 16, 2019, 8 am to 4:30 pm
Peace River, Alberta
Host: Town of Peace River
Find information on the workshop and how to register here.
Saturday, October 19, 2019, 8 am to 4:30 pm
Cold Lake, Alberta
Host: City of Cold Lake Family and Community Support Services
Registration opening soon.
Saturday, October 26, 2019, 8 am to 4:30 pm
Pincher Creek, Alberta
Host: Pincher Creek Community Adult Learning Program
Register by emailing pinchercreekalc@gmail.com.
Saturday, November 2, 2019, 8 am to 4:30 pm
Evansburg, Alberta
Host: Yellowhead County, Alberta
Registration opening soon.
Saturday, November 2, 2019, 8 am to 4:30 pm
Barrhead, Alberta
Host: Blue Heron Support Services Association
Registration opening soon.
Saturday, November 16, 2019, 8 am to 4:30 pm
Slave Lake, Alberta
Host: Slave Lake Ukrainian Cultural Society
Registration opening soon.
Saturday, November 16, 2019, 8 am to 4:30 pm
Claresholm, Alberta
Host: Prairie Winds Clubhouse Society
Registration opening soon.
Friday, November 22, 2019, 6 pm to 9:30 pm and Saturday, November 23, 2019, 8 am to 4:30 pm
Calgary, Alberta
Host: Pride Calgary Planning Committee
Registration opening soon.
Friday, November 22, 2019, 6 pm to 9:30 pm and Saturday, November 23, 2019, 8 am to 4:30 pm
Fort McMurray, Alberta
Host: Fusesocial Wood Buffalo Society
Registration opening soon.
Saturday, November 30, 2019, 8 am to 4:30 pm
Lethbridge, Alberta
Host: Volunteer Lethbridge
Registration opening soon.
If you can’t make any of these workshops and are still interested in board governance training check out the upcoming Board Leadership events.
Resources
The Board Development Program has many resources to help non-profits develop their governance boards.
Information Bulletins
Information Bulletins are professionally produced by the board development program staff and various expert consultants. Bulletins cover topics relevant to non-profit board members or senior staff seeking to improve skills and gain knowledge in governance. Information provided in each bulletin, including contact names and numbers, are reviewed regularly for accuracy and relevance.
- Board Development Information Bulletins (available in French)
Workbooks
The Board Development Program and the Muttart Foundation produced a series of workbooks to help non-profits with challenges they may face. Workbooks are reviewed frequently and the latest edited versions including the Index feature are posted.
Developing Job Descriptions for Board Members of Non-profit Organizations
- How to write effective job descriptions and clarify roles and responsibilities.
- How to understand organizational bylaws, translate legalese into plain language and incorporate a non-profit in Alberta.
Board Building: Recruiting and Developing Effective Board Members for Nonprofit Organizations
- How to recruit skilled volunteers and leaders, and keep them committed.
Hiring and Performance Appraisal of the Executive Director
- A guide for board directors who are in the process of hiring a new Executive Director and/or providing a performance appraisal.
Financial Responsibilities of Non-profit Boards
- A guide to financial responsibilities, budgets, bookkeeping and financial statements.
Contact
To access services from the Board Development Program, please email communitydevelopment@gov.ab.ca.