ABME

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.

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.

What Students Are Saying:

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.

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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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.

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.

Course Curriculum Preview

Alberta Board Member Essentials

1.1 Introduction

  1. Welcome to Part 1

1.2 Environmental Scan of the Non-profit Sector

  1. The Impact of Non-Profits
  2. Alberta's Non-profit Sector
  3. Non-profits of Alberta and How They Differ
  4. Are There Too Many Non-profit Organizations Duplicating Services in Alberta?
  5. Is Your Non-profit a Charity?
  6. Is Your Non-Profit a Charity? - Reading
  7. What Is the Difference Between a Registered Charity and a Non-Profit Organization?
  8. Maintaining Charitable Status
  9. Resource Differences Between Non-profits and Charities
  10. The Role of Non-profits in Shaping Tomorrow
  11. If They Are Not About Profit, What Are They About?
  12. The Future and Non-profits
  13. Check Your Learning: Non-profit What?
  14. The Answers - Check your Learning: Non-profit What?

1.3 Introduction to the Non-profit Legal Context

  1. Incorporation: the Types and Reasons Why
  2. Do I Really Need to Look at the Bylaws?
  3. Should We Have Both Bylaws and Policies?
  4. Types of Policies and How to Think About Them
  5. Changing Bylaw
  6. Special Resolutions
  7. What Are Members?
  8. Where, Oh Where, Did Our Membership Go?
  9. Ways Boards Should Be Engaging the Membership
  10. Check Your Learning: Rules, Structures and Authority
  11. The Answers - Check Your Learning: Rules, Structures and Authority

1.4 Special Thanks

  1. You have completed Part 1!
  2. Feedback and Section 1 Evaluation
  3. Summary: Part 1

2.1 Introduction

  1. Welcome to Part 2
  2. The Biggest Challenge with Board Governance Is Board Governance
  3. The Biggest Challenge with Board Governance is Board Governance - Optional Video
  4. Principles of Good Governance
  5. Principles of Good Governance - Optional Video

2.2 Types of Boards

  1. A Quick Overview of Governance Models
  2. What Type of Board Structure Should My Board Have?
  3. Check Your Learning: I Have Been on Boards for 30 Years! There Is Nothing New to Learn.
  4. The Answers - Check Your Learning: I Have Been on Boards for 30 Years! There Is Nothing New to Learn.

2.3 The Roles and Responsibilities of the Board

  1. Board Member, Board, and ED Roles Pt. 1
  2. Board Member, Board, and ED Roles Pt. 2
  3. Board Member, Board, and ED Roles Pt. 3 - Helpful Resource
  4. What is the Role of the Board? Three Speakers, Three Perspectives
  5. What is the Role of the Board? - Perspective One
  6. What is the Role of the Board? - Perspective Two
  7. What is the Role of the Board? - Perspective Three
  8. The Three Hats a Board Wears
  9. Governance as Leadership
  10. Things to Keep in Mind at the Board Table - What Is Your Organizations Impact?
  11. Check Your Learning: What Does a Board Do Anyway?
  12. The Answers - Check Your Learning: What Does a Board Do Anyway?

2.4 The Roles and Responsibilities of a Board Member

  1. Your Role as a Board Member
  2. Your Role as a Board Member - Reading
  3. Board Individual Authority - Interview with Hermant Kumar
  4. Board Individual Authority
  5. One Voice but Differing Perspectives
  6. Roles and Responsibilities
  7. Board Member Job Descriptions?
  8. When Is a Board Member Not a Board Member? - Interview with Bob Wyatt
  9. When Is a Board Member Not a Board Member?
  10. Written Policies Are Your Best Legacy - Interview with Anne Davidson
  11. Written Policies Are Your Best Legacy
  12. Board Member Embrace Your Role
  13. Things That Get Boards in Trouble
  14. Check Your Learning: I'm Just Here to Tell People What to Do, Right?
  15. The Answers - Check Your Learning: I'm Just Here to Tell People What to Do, Right?

2.5 Understanding the Role of the Executive and the Executive Committees

  1. Understanding the Executive Committees of Today
  2. Duties of the Board Chair / President
  3. Duties of the Secretary
  4. Duties of The Treasurer
  5. Duties of the Vice-Chair

2.6 What Is Fiduciary and How Does It Apply to Me as a Board Member?

  1. What Is the Fiduciary Role of a Board Member?
  2. Duty of Loyalty
  3. Duties of Directors
  4. Board Member Accountability
  5. Check Your Learning: The Buck Stops Here
  6. The Answers - Check Your Answers: The Buck Stops Here

2.7 Role of the Executive Director

  1. What is the Role of the Executive Director?

2.8 Legal and Ethical

  1. Legal vs Ethical - Bob Wyatt's Perspective
  2. Legal vs Ethical - Pieter de Vos' Perspective
  3. Legal vs Ethical - Kristin Ward Diaz' Perspective
  4. Legal Responsibilities of Boards
  5. Wisdom Is Knowing When to Get (Legal) Help

2.9 Conflict of Interest

  1. What Is a Conflict of Interest?
  2. Conflict of Interest - Erick Ambtman
  3. Conflict of Interest - Kristin Ward Diaz
  4. Conflict of Interest - Pieter de Vos
  5. When the Conflict of Interest Is a Conflict of Personal vs Organizational Values
  6. What to Do About a Conflict of Interest
  7. Check Your Learning: Conflicts with the Law, Your Ethics, and Between Interests
  8. The Answers - Check Your Learning: Conflicts with the Law, Your Ethics, and Between Interests

2.10 Working as a Board

  1. How Do Boards Make Decisions?
  2. How do Boards Make Decisions? - Readings
  3. Advantages and Disadvantages of Decision Making Styles
  4. Chairing a Board Meeting
  5. A Consent Agenda
  6. 10 Tips For Improving Your Board Meetings
  7. Self Reflection and Evaluation

2.11 Special Thanks

  1. You Have Completed Part 2!
  2. Feedback and Section 2 Evaluation
  3. Summary: Part 2

3.1 Introduction

  1. Welcome to Part 3

3.2 Each Board Member Accountable for the Organizational Finances

  1. The Basics
  2. Financial Records
  3. What Are Nonprofit Financial Statements?
  4. How to Read and Understand Financial Statements for your Nonprofit Organization
  5. Governing Documents
  6. Books and Records – Language
  7. Books and Records – Format
  8. Retention Periods
  9. Books and Records – Location
  10. Should you have a Reserve Fund?
  11. Article: Top Canadian charity law compliance issues

3.3 Special Thanks

  1. You Have Completed Part 3!
  2. Feedback and Section 3 Evaluation
  3. Summary: Part 3

Part A - Live Course

  1. Part A - Attendance Verification
  2. Feedback and Evaluation Live Session A

Part B - Live Course

  1. Part B: Attendance Verification
  2. Feedback and Evaluation Live Session B

The Wrap Up

  1. Evaluation
  2. ABME could not be possible without some amazing volunteers!
  3. What's Next?

ABME Delivery Partners:

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.

Located in and supporting the Alberta Capital Region

Empowering Non-profits and Volunteers in Metro Edmonton.

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.

Located in and supporting the Lethbridge Region

https://volunteerlethbridge.com/

The development of this program was made possible by:

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/