The Edmonton Chamber of Voluntary Organizations created and owns Alberta Board Member Essentials.
Overview
Alberta Board Member Essentials (ABME) is a 5-module program that combines self-paced online coursework with in-person or real-time virtual instruction and hands-on learning to give Alberta's board members the tools to effectively guide their organization toward its mission and vision.
This course was designed with both beginner and seasoned board members in mind. By emphasizing the latest provincial policy developments, emerging trends, and best practices in board leadership, participants will expand their skills and capacity regardless of their experience serving on boards.
Current ABME Offerings:
About the Alberta Board Member Essentials Program.
Designed to support the growth of new and developing board members, the Alberta Board Member Essentials (ABME) program was built by Albertans for Albertans.
ABME is a five-module training program that combines online learning with either in-person or real-time virtual instruction to give new and developing board members the tools to successfully serve on a non-profit board.
For new board members, the ABME program helps build the foundational knowledge needed in order to be an effective board member. For developing and seasoned board members, ABME encourages a broader understanding of the role they and their organization play in the larger social sector ecosystem.
The full program consists of 3 on-demand online sessions, 1 hour of pre-reading, and either 2 in-person or real-time virtual sessions.
On-demand sessions take up to 3 hours each to complete. All three online sessions must be completed prior to the in-person or real-time virtual sessions. In-person and real-time online sessions are 3.5 hours in length. Access to the on-demand sessions is made available immediately upon registration.
Please note, the live sessions are group-based and interactive, therefore they will not be recorded.
Though it is possible to attend with a phone and or a tablet it is strongly recommended that participants registering for ABME have access to login through a computer.
Stuart Muir, BBA, PMP
Thank you for the great learning opportunity you provided through the Alberta Board Members Essentials Program. It has been a long journey which started in December of 2019 with the online learning and was interrupted by COVID-19 in March 2020.
The reimagined online experiential learning components challenged my thinking about my role as board member for the Edmonton Music Festival Society. My interactions with my fellow students, our breakout session guides and you helped me see and practice ways I can be a more effective board member. Your interventions, facilitation and reflections brought many valuable insights.
I will be recommending this program and your other EVCO sessions to my board members.
Gabrielle Battiste, BA, JD
I am a lawyer that advises organizations, including not-for-profits, on policy & governance.
For me, ABME was an invaluable experience. I got to meet other peers in the not-for-profit sector and appreciated the diverse perspectives & backgrounds that everyone brought to the in-person sessions.
I gained a lot of insight from the program, and walked away with some great information on how to manage perspectives and different ways to conduct board meetings.
I would encourage every person involved in a not-for-profit organization, whether staff, board members, lawyers, accountants or others, to take this course.
COURSE COMPONENTS
Module 1: Overview of the Alberta Non-Profit Sector
Online on-demand learning (approx. 3 hours)
The non-profit sector represents a substantial segment of our society. It plays a significant role in shaping our community’s quality of life as well as being a major economic driver and employer. It is important for board members to understand the environment in which they operate, including other organizations that may be partners, collaborators, or even competitors, as well as the legal framework that influences and drives the operations and behaviours of their organization.
This module gives participants the tools to:
- explain the impact non-profits have in their community.
- define the differences between non-profits and explain how the laws affect their governance and activities differently.
- explain the differences between bylaws and policies and how they impact and are impacted by the board.
- explain the role of membership within organizations.
Module 2: Board Member Fundamentals
Online Learning (approx. 3 hrs)
This module provides an overview of the role of governance and shared leadership as it relates to the non-profit sector, including charities. A specific focus of this module will be the roles and responsibilities of both individual board members and as members of the collective board. The session explores both the board’s and board members’ legal, ethical, and fiduciary responsibilities.
This module will provide participants with the tools to:
- make connections between the role of the board and the role of the executive director.
- explain how the roles of the board, individual board members, and the executive director differ and complement each other.
- recognize a conflict of interest and determine the proper steps to address it.
- explain the difference between legalities and ethics and understand the laws that impact board members and their organizations.
- explain the different ways boards make decisions and the advantages and disadvantages of each method.
Module 3: Understanding Financial Matters
Online Learning (approx. 3 hrs)
This module provides clarity on essential non-profit and charitable financial documents and best practices to support board members in the fiduciary duties that will keep their organization financially stable, legally compliant, and well-equipped to achieve their missions and mandate.
This module will give participants the tools to:
- properly interpret critical non-profit financial statements and documents.
- interpret key trends about the organization from its financial data.
- recognize common indicators of financial problems.
Session A: Working as a Sum of the Parts
In-person or real-time virtual instruction.
This is the first of two in-person or real-time online attendance modules
Module 4 is where participants transition their learnings into practice.
Using case studies and collaborative role-playing, participants explore how decisions are made, how relationships and leadership are maintained, and how organizational leadership as a board member is different than leading a team or organization.
This module gives participants the tools to:
- recognize a conflict of interest and determine the proper steps to address it.
- explain the different ways in which boards make decisions and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
- feel comfortable participating as a member of a decision-making body.
- make connections between the mission, vision, and values of the organization and its operations, policies, and strategic plan.
- make governance decisions in alignment with an organization’s mission, vision, and values.
Session B: Strategic Board Leadership
In-person or real-time online attendance
The second in-person or real-time online session module gathers participants to reflect on their experiences and provides insight into how to strategically advance an organization's mission and vision.
Participants will spend time exploring how boards build, implement, and lead strategy through decisions and policy. There will be an examination of how boards and organizations work can advocate for their cause legally, morally, and ethically. Participants will also explore emerging trends in organizational messaging.
This module will give participants the tools to:
- lead strategic governance conversations at a board meeting.
- explain the role that advocacy plays in achieving strategic outcomes, and the laws that influence how organizations advocate.
- make the connections between organizational outcomes and the work of the executive director.
The Course Breakdown
- The Impact of Non-profits (2:52)
- Alberta's Non-profit Sector (2:13)
- Non-profits of Alberta and How They Differ (2:12)
- Are There Too Many Non-profit Organizations Duplicating Services in Alberta?
- Is Your Non-profit a Charity? (0:44)
- Is Your Non-Profit a Charity? - Reading
- What Is the Difference Between a Registered Charity and a Non-Profit Organization?
- Maintaining Charitable Status (1:04)
- Resource Differences Between Non-profits and Charities (4:20)
- The Role of Non-profits in Shaping Tomorrow (1:17)
- If They Are Not About Profit, What Are They About? (1:44)
- The Future and Non-profits (1:30)
- Check Your Learning: Non-profit What?
- The Answers - Check your Learning: Non-profit What?
- Incorporation: the Types and Reasons Why
- Do I Really Need to Look at the Bylaws? (1:08)
- Should We Have Both Bylaws and Policies? (1:17)
- Types of Policies and How to Think About Them
- Changing Bylaw (1:13)
- Special Resolutions
- What Are Members? (1:16)
- Where, Oh Where, Did Our Membership Go?
- Ways Boards Should Be Engaging the Membership (0:57)
- Check Your Learning: Rules, Structures and Authority
- The Answers - Check Your Learning: Rules, Structures and Authority
- Board Member, Board, and ED Roles Pt. 1 (3:11)
- Board Member, Board, and ED Roles Pt. 2 (0:56)
- Board Member, Board, and ED Roles Pt. 3 - Helpful Resource
- What is the Role of the Board? Three Speakers, Three Perspectives
- What is the Role of the Board? - Perspective One (0:25)
- What is the Role of the Board? - Perspective Two (1:03)
- What is the Role of the Board? - Perspective Three (0:26)
- The Three Hats a Board Wears (2:23)
- Governance as Leadership
- Things to Keep in Mind at the Board Table - What Is Your Organizations Impact? (1:19)
- Check Your Learning: What Does a Board Do Anyway?
- The Answers - Check Your Learning: What Does a Board Do Anyway?
- Your Role as a Board Member (0:47)
- Your Role as a Board Member - Reading
- Board Individual Authority - Interview with Hermant Kumar (1:02)
- Board Individual Authority
- One Voice but Differing Perspectives (1:13)
- Roles and Responsibilities
- Board Member Job Descriptions?
- When Is a Board Member Not a Board Member? - Interview with Bob Wyatt (1:11)
- When Is a Board Member Not a Board Member?
- Written Policies Are Your Best Legacy - Interview with Anne Davidson (0:55)
- Written Policies Are Your Best Legacy
- Board Member Embrace Your Role (0:44)
- Things That Get Boards in Trouble (2:46)
- Check Your Learning: I'm Just Here to Tell People What to Do, Right?
- The Answers - Check Your Learning: I'm Just Here to Tell People What to Do, Right?
- What Is a Conflict of Interest? (2:21)
- Conflict of Interest - Erick Ambtman (0:24)
- Conflict of Interest - Kristin Ward Diaz (0:24)
- Conflict of Interest - Pieter de Vos (1:11)
- When the Conflict of Interest Is a Conflict of Personal vs Organizational Values (0:43)
- What to Do About a Conflict of Interest (2:56)
- Check Your Learning: Conflicts with the Law, Your Ethics, and Between Interests
- The Answers - Check Your Learning: Conflicts with the Law, Your Ethics, and Between Interests
- The Basics
- Financial Records
- What Are Nonprofit Financial Statements?
- How to Read and Understand Financial Statements for your Nonprofit Organization
- Governing Documents
- Books and Records – Language
- Books and Records – Format
- Retention Periods
- Books and Records – Location
- Should you have a Reserve Fund?
- Article: Top Canadian charity law compliance issues
ABME Delivery Partners:
Empowering Non-profits and Volunteers in Metro Edmonton.
For more capacity-building opportunities, to find your next volunteer adventure, or to learn more about the mission and mandate of the ECVO, please visit www.ecvo.ca.
Volunteer Lethbridge exists as a support network for both volunteers and non-profit organizations to help them build capacity and thrive.
Our aim is to safely provide opportunities for people to contribute to their community, and to offer continued aid and guidance to the change-makers.
The development of this program was made possible by:
Learning Tools and Platforms
THE ONLINE LEARNING PLARTFORM
Alberta Board Member Essentials makes use of recorded video from various Alberta non-profit leaders to give you diverse perspectives on the state of the sector and what it takes to be a successful board leader in Alberta.
Combined with readings, case studies, short quizzes, and face-to-face instruction, ABME's blended learning structure is a dynamic approach to learning the essentials of non-profit governance.
Online components are hosted on Teachable, the easy-to-use online platform for interactive course work.
Live Session Platforms
The delivery partners use the tools best suited to connect with their audiences. Below are just some possible conferencing platforms used for the Delivery of ABME.
Zoom
Microsoft Teams
Google Meet
Need Financial Assistance?
Check out the bursaries provided by the Muttart Foundation https://www.muttart.org/granting-programs/