*Watch for more 2026 updates!* In this learning section, you can engage in a variety of sessions to build and develop governance skills.
- “Board Basics 101: Things your Board Needs to Know!” (Paul Meunier – Federation of Calgary Communities)
- “Practical Strategic Planning: The Basics” (Jerry Firth – Community Development Unit)
- “Govern Yourself Accordingly: Bylaws, Policies, and Procedures” (Yvonne Chenier – IntegralOrg)
- “Liability & Legal Fundamentals” (Yvonne Chenier – IntegralOrg)
“Board Basics 101: Things your Board Needs to Know!”
Time: TBD
Presenter(s): Paul Meunier, Federation of Calgary Communities
Description: Board Basics 101 is a foundational workshop that covers everything you’ll need to know to get started in your new role as a board member! First, you’ll learn broad roles and responsibilities, the standard foundations of non-profit structures, and we’ll cover some important nuances, including differences between a non-profit and charity. We’ll also look at how these distinctions affect operations and compliance. We’ll discuss the importance of leadership on a board, some of the common challenges boards face, but more importantly – some of the positive reasons that keep people coming back!
At The Federation, we support passionate people who give back to their community, no matter the cause. Our mission is to build the capacity of volunteer-run organizations by delivering resources, workshops and professional services. Through our work, people gain the skills to guide their organizations with confidence and clarity.
To learn more about the Federation of Calgary Communities, click on any of the links below.
“Practical Strategic Planning: The Basics”
Time: TBD
Presenter(s): Jerry Firth, Community Development Unit, Alberta Arts, Culture, & Status of Women
Description: As a non-profit leader, you may realize that strategic planning is more important than ever, but it is not always easy to begin the process. In Part 1, we will explore the theory behind strategic planning and answer questions such as: where did this theory come from, what does the framework look like, how is it an important tool, and why should you bother?
Through interactive exercises and resources, you will experience how to develop a basic strategic plan, from the earliest planning stages all the way through to ensuring the outcomes can take root throughout your organization. You will leave this session with actionable tips, resources, and confidence to return to your organization and apply proven-by-practice methods and new insights and ideas from current strategic approaches.
The Community Development Unit provides (no fee for service, no charge to client) customized capacity building services for non-profit, charitable organizations, social profit organizations, unincorporated collaboratives and committees to help you achieve your solutions.
To learn more about the Community Development Unit, click on any of the links below.
“Govern Yourself Accordingly: Bylaws, Policies, and Procedures”
Time: TBD
Presenter(s): Yvonne Chenier, IntegralOrg
Description: Integral to a healthy organization are its bylaws, policies, and procedures. But what is behind an organization’s bylaws, policies, and procedures? What are the differences and what are the limits of these important tools?
In this workshop you will learn from an experienced charity lawyer about:
- Differences and relationships between bylaws, policies, and procedures.
- The basics of managing, drafting, and changing bylaws.
- The limitations of bylaws, policies, and procedures and as it applies to organizations incorporated/registered under a variety of legislation
Learn about the inner workings of bylaws, policies, and procedures and try your hand at creating a new policy and pertinent bylaw clause for your organization.
IntegralOrg helps Alberta nonprofits thrive, flourish, and achieve through education and support in governance, leadership, strategic planning, risk management, financial management, and legal services. We offer free consultations and practical workshops and toolkits. We problem solve with organization through organizational development projects. IntegralOrg is a proud nonprofit charity.
To learn more IntegralOrg click on any of the links below.
“Liability & Legal Fundamentals”
Time: TBD
Presenter(s): Yvonne Chenier, IntegralOrg
Description: To understand the risks your nonprofit faces, you need to understand the legal fundamentals that shape your organization as well as the liabilities and protections that board members have when volunteering for organizations.
In this workshop, you will learn from an experienced charity lawyer about:
- What is the legal framework that surrounds your organization and how do you find out?
- What are the fundamental duties of board directors? What is the board’s role in managing risk?
- What liability protections exist for board members? What is not protected and how does that relate to insurance coverage?
- Starting points to identify risks in your organization.
IntegralOrg helps Alberta nonprofits thrive, flourish, and achieve through education and support in governance, leadership, strategic planning, risk management, financial management, and legal services. We offer free consultations and practical workshops and toolkits. We problem solve with organization through organizational development projects. IntegralOrg is a proud nonprofit charity.
To learn more about IntegralOrg ,click on any of the links below.
“Preparing for Leadership Change: Succession Planning for Nonprofit Boards and Leaders”
Time: TBD
Presenter(s): Nicolette Miller, Stack’d Consulting
Description: Leadership transitions are inevitable in every organization, yet many nonprofits approach them reactively rather than proactively. Whether planned or unexpected, the departure of a senior leader can create uncertainty for staff, boards, funders, and the stakeholders served. This session explores how boards can prepare for leadership succession in a thoughtful, strategic way that strengthens organizational sustainability.
Designed for board members and senior leaders of small to mid-sized nonprofits—including volunteer-led organizations and those with small staff teams—this workshop focuses on practical approaches that organizations of varying sizes and capacities can use.
Participants will explore questions such as: How should an organization’s future direction shape the leadership it needs? What capabilities should boards consider when preparing for leadership transitions? How can organizations build leadership capacity internally to support natural succession? And what does a simple, practical succession plan look like?
This session is designed as an interactive workshop, incorporating brief facilitated overviews, guided reflection, and small-group discussions. Through structured exercises, participants will apply key concepts to their own organization – identifying either initial answers or the important questions their board should explore next. Participants do not need to have an existing succession plan to benefit. By the end of the session, attendees will walk away with practical, actionable guidance for approaching succession planning, a clearer understanding of the Board’s role in leadership transitions, and concrete ideas for next steps their organization can taken to strengthen leadership continuity.
Stack’d Consulting is a boutique management consulting firm specializing in business transformation. We orient our services around four focus areas: growing strategically, rethinking how you operate, executing with impact, and delighting your customers and employees through excellent experiences. We work with nonprofits to unlock clarity, align their teams, and scale their mission.
To learn more about Stack’d Consulting, click on any of the links below.