Non-profit online courses

Description: This course discusses Alberta’s non-profit legal landscape, the legal obligations that non-profits must comply with in Alberta, and the relationship between legal documents for incorporated non-profit organizations. We will also discuss these areas with an expert and get their ideas on what they mean for non-profits and their board members.

Category: The Non-profit Tidbits Series

Type of course: Recorded Webinar

Description: Have you been asked to facilitate a session and wonder what the best tools are to use? There are so many facilitation tools out there, but which one is best for your meeting? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each tool? In this session, we want to talk about the pros and cons of some popular facilitation tools that can help you have better conversations and make your next meeting a success!

Category: The Non-profit Bistro Series

Type of course: Recorded Webinar

Description: Committees often exist as part of a non-profit Board. What are the benefits of board committees? How are they different from staff committees?  What are other types of committees?  How do you establish terms of reference for a board committee? Answers to these questions and more will be provided in this video.

Category: Board Development Program

Type of course: Recorded Webinar

Description: This course discusses how non-profit boards can strengthen their effectiveness by designing the governance structure of their organization as well as some lessons learned “from the field” by an expert.

Category: The Non-profit Tidbits Series

Type of course: Recorded Webinar

Description: Board members spend significant time in board meetings. Learn the importance of having a clear purpose for meetings as well as how agendas, minutes, meeting guidelines, decision-making frameworks and other structures assist in keeping meetings on track. Further, learn how creating shared board member responsibility for meetings, leads to meeting success.

Category: Board Development Program

Type of course: Recorded Webinar

Description: Learn the 4 roles and 7 responsibilities and principles of good governance that board members need to know and demonstrate well to govern and steward their non-profit organizations. Further, through organizational design, you will see how a board successfully carrying out their roles and responsibilities touches all parts of the organization.

Category: Board Development Program

Type of course: Recorded Webinar

Description: Building Consensus is the key role of facilitators, chairpersons and leaders of meetings in the non-profit world. However, sometimes, it is difficult to achieve this goal in meetings, and even much harder to do so in online meetings! So watch this first panel discussion on the topic with three panelists who have chaired several meetings in various organizations and situations and have been able to successfully build consensus in in-person as well as online meetings. They will share their experiences and stories, and discuss tips and tricks, resources, pitfalls, and lessons learned!

Category: The Non-profit Bistro Series

Type of course: Recorded Webinar

Description: Building Consensus is the key role of facilitators, chairpersons and leaders of meetings in the non-profit world. However, sometimes, it is difficult to achieve this goal in meetings, and even much harder to do so in online meetings! So watch this second panel discussion on the topic with three panelists who have chaired several meetings in various organizations and situations and have been able to successfully build consensus in in-person as well as online meetings. They will share their experiences and stories, and discuss tips and tricks, resources, pitfalls, and lessons learned!

Category: The Non-profit Bistro Series

Type of course: Recorded Webinar

Description: Ensuring healthy relationships between the board and those that carry out the directions of the board (senior staff, staff, volunteers) is a responsibility of the board. In this video learn how to do it well by understanding the primary focus of each and that its a balanced partnership with all working together to achieve the purpose of the organization.

Category: Board Development Program

Type of course: Recorded Webinar

Description: Non-profit board members do their best work when a strong team culture exists within the board. How do you create and build it? How do you know when you have it? What are some ways to respond to challenges and root causes that prevent boards from building strong teams? All this and more will be addressed in this video.

Category: Board Development Program

Type of course: Recorded Webinar

Description: Do you know what a mission statement is and how you can create one? Do you know why your organization needs a mission statement? Have you ever wanted to make a mission statement for your organization and didn't know where to start? In this course, we answer all these questions and demonstrate building and creating a mission statement!

Category: The Non-profit Bistro Series

Type of course: Recorded Webinar

Description: Do you know what value statements are, and how you can create them? Do you know why your organization needs value statements? Have you ever wanted to create value statements for your organization and didn't know where to start? In this course, we answer all these questions and demonstrate building and creating value statements!

Category: The Non-profit Bistro Series

Type of course: Recorded Webinar

Description: Have you ever wanted to make a vision statement and didn't know where to start? Do you know why your organization needs a vision statement? What is a vision statement and how do you create one? Join us in this course where we answer all these questions and demonstrate building and creating a vision statement!

Category: The Non-profit Bistro Series

Type of course: Recorded Webinar

Description: What's the role of the board in the organization and what's the role of staff? Where is the line and what are the overlaps? These are difficult questions for many involved in the non-profit sector and various organizations. Watch this panel discussion on the topic with three knowledgeable panelists that have served in both roles in various organizations and situations and have been able to successfully build relationships and navigate the dynamic board staff relationships. They will share their experiences and stories, and discuss tips and tricks, resources, pitfalls, and lessons learned!

Category: The Non-profit Bistro Series

Type of course: Recorded Webinar

Description: Being a board member of a non-profit in Alberta comes with certain legal duties. One of these duties, Fiduciary Duty, requires board members to act in the best interest of the organization at all times. Understanding how to satisfy fiduciary duties will ensure that board members act in good faith and loyalty to the organization.

Category: Board Development Program

Type of course: Online Interactive Module

Description: Learn what financial management is and what it includes. Become familiar with key financial documents that all non-profit boards should recognize and understand. Further, learn the elements of a good internal control system, financial policies and other financial structures to ensure a good financial management system is in place for your organization.

Category: Board Development Program

Type of course: Recorded Webinar

Description: What are the board’s financial responsibilities and how do they intersect with the other responsibilities of the board? How does the board reflect good financial stewardship of organization resources by carrying out the financial responsibilities it has? You will learn all of this and more in this video.

Category: Board Development Program

Type of course: Recorded Webinar

Description: Non-profit organizations have a large impact on Alberta’s economy. In order to sustain their programs and services, non-profits need effective financial management, financial strategies and plans for generating income in order to make good financial decisions that help them achieve their organizational goals.

Category: Board Development Program

Type of course: Online Interactive Module

Description: Board members form the governing body of non-profit organizations and are ultimately responsible for governance and stewardship of the organization. To best perform their duties, board members should be familiar with the concepts of governance, stewardship and how they are related to the 4 Roles of the board. This course will discuss the specific roles of the board.

Category: Board Development Program

Type of course: Online Interactive Module

Description: "Grant writing …ugh." Sound familiar? For many non-profit volunteers and staff, grant writing can seem like a time-consuming task in creative writing with the payoff being luck of the draw. The truth is, with steep competition for limited grant dollars, a well-written grant is only part of the success formula. This video series covers core proposal and grant writing skills, how to avoid common pitfalls, understanding what funders look for, and tips on how to maintain good relationships with your funders.

Category: Grant Writing

Type of course: Recorded Webinar

Description: The words “non-profit” and “charity” are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same, and their differences may be confusing. In this module we will review the differences between incorporated non-profits under the Societies Act and charities, and explain some key considerations for non-profit groups that wish to obtain registered charity status.

Category: Board Development Program

Type of course: Online Interactive Module

Description: There are several legal documents that are important for board members of non-profit organizations to know about, understand, and use. Together these legal documents determine what your organization can do and how to do it. Among these legal documents, the most important ones include legislation, regulations, objects, bylaws, policies, and procedures.

Category: Board Development Program

Type of course: Online Interactive Module

Description: Board members of non-profit organizations need to know and reflect the legal related responsibilities of fiduciary duty, duty of care and duty of loyalty' (and its related example “conflict of interest”). All of these duties are fundamental in governing your organization well. Learn about these legal responsibilities and more in this video.

Category: Board Development Program

Type of course: Recorded Webinar

Description: Board members may have a variety of personal and professional connections beyond their position as a volunteer board member. As a result it is common and expected for them to, sometimes, be in a conflict of interest situation. This is not the same as corruption, bias or lack of integrity. However, how board members deal with conflict of interest is key.

Category: Board Development Program

Type of course: Online Interactive Module

Description: It is a key responsibility of the board to ensure that a non-profit has a shared purpose that all organizational efforts are aimed at. Further ensuring there is a plan in place (often a strategic plan) to achieve that identified purpose is equally important work of the board. Learn about this and more in this video.

Category: Board Development Program

Type of course: Recorded Webinar

Description: Board members are responsible for the governance and stewardship of their organization. To perform their duties, it is critical for board members to know their responsibilities and have certain qualities and skills that help them fulfill their responsibilities and effectively accomplish the organization’s work.

Category: Board Development Program

Type of course: Online Interactive Module

Description: Pour de nombreux bénévoles et employés d'organismes sans but lucratif, la rédaction d'une demande de subvention peut sembler fastidieuse et les gains qui en découlent, incertains. En fait, avec une concurrence forte et des subventions limitées, une demande bien rédigée peut contribuer à votre succès. Cette série de vidéos présente les compétences de base à acquérir en rédaction de propositions et de subventions, les façons d’éviter les pièges courants, des renseignements sur ce que les bailleurs de fonds recherchent et des conseils sur la façon de maintenir de bonnes relations avec vos bailleurs de fonds.

Category: Grant Writing

Type of course: Webinaire Enregistré

Description: Ransom attacks are increasing dramatically and target both for-profit and non-profit organizations in Alberta. This presentation introduces some of the vulnerabilities that can make an attack on your organization more likely. It explores two actual attacks and illustrates what you may expect. Ransoms are often demanded in bitcoin so this element and its risks are explored. Techniques for recovering a ransom payment are introduced. The session ends with a summary of good practices to minimize your organization’s vulnerability to these attacks.

Category: The Non-profit Bistro Series

Type of course: Recorded Webinar

Description: Risk Management is a key responsibility of board members of non-profit organizations.  In this video you will learn why risk management is important, the board’s role in risk management and the seven steps of a good risk management process.

Category: Board Development Program

Type of course: Recorded Webinar

Description: This course discusses the four key roles and seven responsibilities of the board. We also inteview an expert in the field to discuss some of the most common questions that they encounter in their work with non-profit organizations.

Category: The Non-profit Tidbits Series

Type of course: Recorded Webinar

Description: Artists and non-profits are doing amazing things to pivot their work online and engage with clients in new ways. In this video, Josiah Sinanan, a musical artist and podcast host based out of Calgary, shares some tips on how to ramp up social media, using social media to connect with their audience, and more advice for artists pivoting to an online presence.

Category: Pivot Online Series

Type of course: Recorded Webinar

Description: It matters how board members approach their roles and responsibilities. It influences how the organization is perceived by its members, stakeholders, and the broader community. The 9 principles of good governance help ensure that the board conducts itself and approaches its work in a fair and responsible manner, and that the board has good oversight and is carrying out its fiduciary duty to the organization.

Category: Board Development Program

Type of course: Online Interactive Module

Description: This course includes an overview of the various types of non-profit organizations in Alberta, the significance of incorporation on the non-profit’s legal responsibilities, and some of the incorporation legislation that exists for non-profit organizations in Alberta.

Category: Board Development Program

Type of course: Online Interactive Module

Description: The work of non-profit organizations, like any other work, includes some risks. Risk is something all organizations face. Knowing the risks of the work will help you, as a board member, to make better decisions and take preventive measures. This way you can minimize consequences for you and your organization.

Category: Board Development Program

Type of course: Online Interactive Module

Description: Understanding what risk is and the many different types of risks associated with non-profit organizations is a key first step for a board member to become skilled in risk management. What risk is and the many types of risk will be explained in this video.

Category: Board Development Program

Type of course: Recorded Webinar

Description: Non-profit organizations have a number of external and internal rules that together form the legal landscape they operate within. These include applicable legislations such as incorporation as well as internal rules such as objects, by-laws and policies. Learn about these and more in this video.

Category: Board Development Program

Type of course: Recorded Webinar

Description: Artists and non-profits are doing amazing things to pivot their work online and engage with clients in new ways. In this video, Chantell Ghosh, the Executive Director of The Citadel Theatre, discusses lessons learned while moving their programs and services online.

Category: Pivot Online Series

Type of course: Recorded Webinar

Description: Artists and non-profits are doing amazing things to pivot their work online and engage with clients in new ways. In this video, Amanda Jensen, the Executive Director of Volunteer Lethbridge, discusses how the pandemic has affected their ability to run day-to-day operations and what tools can be used for discussion and collaboration.

Category: Pivot Online Series

Type of course: Recorded Webinar

Description: One of the board’s key roles is to set the organization’s direction and ensure it moves towards its purpose. To do so, the board creates a set of foundational statements. These statements include vision, mission and value statements that guide the activities and behaviour of the organization and its stakeholders.

Category: Board Development Program

Type of course: Online Interactive Module

Description: You may have heard in the non-profit space that you should avoid any and all conflict of interest. But you may also have wondered what exactly a conflict of interest is and why it happens. Conflict of interest is a situation that will likely occur in your work as a board member, so it is important for you to know what it means and how to identify it.

Category: Board Development Program

Type of course: Online Interactive Module