Free Board Governance Training Offered for Nonprofits

Comox Valley Community Foundation is pleased to announce an upcoming workshop entitled “Introduction to Board Governance Best Practices” on Monday, March 18, from 9am to 1pm at the Lodge Room, Native Sons Hall (Lower Level) in Courtenay available exclusively for charitable and not-for-profit organizations in the Comox Valley.

This four-hour, highly engaging workshop, facilitated by Colin Sauer of The Governance Group, is ideal for new or existing board directors, board chairs, and executive directors and is best suited for organizations with at least one staff member.

The workshop will cover a variety of topics including:

• Elements of effective and successful boards
• Governing principles for board directors
• Roles and responsibilities of the board, the directors, the chair, and the executive director
• Review of the fiduciary duty and conflict of interest guidelines for board directors
• Building a leadership partnership between the board and the executive director
• Plus, practical applications of policy development, agenda development, committee structure and more.

The workshop is open to Comox Valley nonprofit board members and executive directors at no cost.  Pre-registration is required, and space is limited.

Register now online: here or call 250-338-8444.

Funding for this workshop is made possible through Comox Valley Community Foundation’s Sector Development grant dedicated to supporting the charitable and not-for-profit sector through free training and development for staff and volunteers.

Comox Valley Community Foundation is seeking new members to join our Board of Directors.

If you offer diverse perspectives and life experiences, together with a passion for making our community a place where everyone can thrive, we would love to hear from you.

The Community Foundation is a “for impact” organization whose vision is to bring people together to address issues and find solutions to enact positive change. We achieve our mission of enriching life for all by working in partnership with donors and local charities to achieve positive social benefit for our community. Learn more about us at About Us – Comox Valley Community Foundation (cvcfoundation.org)

We are an equal opportunity organization and encourage interest from equity-deserving groups, women, youth, individuals with disabilities, and all other qualified applicants. We welcome you to inform us, in confidence, if you require any special accommodations to participate in our recruitment process.

Regular monthly meetings take place from 4:30 – 6:30 pm with an approximate time commitment is 5 – 6 hours per month. Directors generally volunteer an additional 25 hours throughout the year for training and committee participation, and ideally serve a minimum three (3) year term.

Members of the Board represent our community, offering their diverse perspectives and extensive knowledge to ensure the effective governance of the Foundation. Expertise in HR, Law, Finance and Accounting, Public Affairs, or Community Development are considered assets but not required. Community members of all backgrounds are invited to apply.

TO APPLY:

We kindly ask for no phone calls, please. All expressions of interest will receive a response.

Apply in confidence by emailing a letter of interest, describing why you are interested and what you could contribute to the board, along with your resume, to: executive-director@cvcfoundation.org by 5 pm on November 30, 2023.

Learn tools to help you effectively engage with Indigenous people working towards collaboration and reconciliation.

Comox Valley Community Foundation is hosting a workshop entitled “Effective Engagement with Indigenous People” with facilitators Sonora Morin and Nick Chowdhury of ‘Wi’la’mola Consulting. This free workshop, intended for staff and volunteers within the Comox Valley community services sector, will be held on Monday, March 6, from 9:00am – 3:00pm at the Comox Community Centre.

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP) has stated that today’s organizations and governments shall consult and cooperate in good faith with Indigenous people. Formulating effective alliances and relationships works towards the spirit of reconciliation; a path we all need to walk together on to enact change. Understanding how to have these effective engagements within our western organizations and knowing how to navigate some of these protocols based on respect, can improve relationships and the experience for all involved. 

As stated in the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, there is a strong need to increase opportunities for intercultural training, promote awareness, histories and perspectives. ‘Wi’la’mola is an Indigenous-owned and operated organization trained in facilitation, mediation, and conflict resolution, specializing in education. The workshop is geared to help facilitate that learning and provide tangible tools that will help you effectively engage with Indigenous people.

Through this workshop, participants will learn about…

1. Allyship – First Step to Reconciliation
2. Why it’s important and required to work with Indigenous people.
3. Specific logistics to create a functional and culturally respectful space.
4. Understanding of Indigenous communication styles, territory importance, decision-making, data sovereignty, consultation, and accountability.
5. Where your organization will benefit from increased/improved engagement with Indigenous people.
6. Raising your level of self-awareness.

The workshop is free to attend and is an in-person event for members (staff and volunteer Board members) of the Comox Valley community services sector only. It is recommended that two individuals from an organization attend. Participants may find previous attendance at a Building Bridges: Through Understanding the Village workshop helpful.

Please register by visiting https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/537864084957.

This workshop and those that will follow in 2023 are part of CVCF’s $20,000 commitment to support the charitable and not-for-profit sector through training and development for staff and volunteers.

Become a more effective Board by learning ‘best practices’ in Board Governance.

Comox Valley Community Foundation is pleased to announce an upcoming workshop entitled “Introduction to Board Governance Best Practices” on Monday, January 9, from 9 am-1 pm at the Native Sons Hall in Courtenay.

This 4-hour, highly engaging workshop, facilitated by Colin Sauer of The Governance Group, is ideal for new or existing Board Directors, Board Chairs, and Executive Directors and is best suited for organizations with at least 1 staff member.

Topics that will be covered include:
• The Governance Game (a good opening that gets everyone involved)
• The three important elements for effective and successful boards
• Orientation to the ‘Governing Effectively’ training booklet (each participant will receive a copy)
• Review and discussion of the ‘Governing Principles’ for Board Directors
• Overview of the ‘Six Elements of Governing’
• Review and discuss roles and responsibilities: of the Board, the Board Directors, the Board Chair, and the Executive Director
• Review of the fiduciary duty and conflict of interest guidelines for board directors
• Building a Leadership Partnership between the Board and the Executive Director
• Practical application of: Policy development, Agenda development, Committee and Task Force structure and Terms of Reference

The workshop is free to attend and is intended for those serving on Comox Valley not for profit and charitable boards and senior staff. This workshop and those that will follow in 2023 are part of CVCF’s $20,000 commitment to support the charitable and not-for-profit sector through training and development for staff and volunteers. Please register by visiting here.