A couple of years ago, the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada took a strategic step outward. Though boasting a staff rich in expertise and vast in experience, they nonetheless decided to outsource an external consultant for an upcoming sponsorship program....
One of the typical characteristics of not-for-profit boards or committees is that they attract people with differing levels of skills, expertise, education, maturity and intentions. They attract doers, leaders, followers, and sometimes even “devil’s advocates”. In most organizations, these individuals...
There are 161,000 nonprofit and voluntary sector organizations in Canada...and counting. To ask the question, “Is the proliferation of nonprofits an opportunity or a threat?” is a little like asking if the glass is half full or half empty. Depending...
My executive director read some motivational books and now wants us to have a Can-Do attitude where anything is possible. I would dearly love to say yes to everyone, but our shelter has limited space and people do get turned...
We're a mid-sized organization with 80 staff, mostly frontline workers who are out of the office most of the time. There seem to be two camps developing: those in the main office who see each other every day, and those...
Call to order! The chair has called order for the regular monthly meeting of your nonprofit board. You’re asked to speak to an item that you placed on the agenda - board assessment - a matter that’s been on your...
The voluntary sector is chock full of talented, tireless, selfless people all trying to better their communities and the country as a whole. Generally speaking, there exists in the sector a generosity of spirit and an understanding of the inherent...
I hear a lot about conflict of interest at the board and executive level. Is it an issue below that? Conflict of interest is possible and serious throughout all levels of staff. The Code of Conduct for staff, and staff...
When Canada’s world-renowned vocal ensemble, the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir (TMC), encountered some challenges recently, the organization wasn’t sure where to turn. Founded in 1894, this musical icon has established quite a presence, both at home and abroad. Comprised of the...
Introduction Establishing a project management office (PMO) is a challenging endeavour. Many organizations that have tried to establish a PMO have either not been as successful as they could have been, or they have failed entirely. It is not uncommon...
