Managing to become a leader

Introduction Each and every one of us has worked with a manager or project manager who has been great at developing schedules or budgets, and even getting the work done, but that we would not characterize as a great manager....

Governance Q&A: Privacy, conflict of interest or poor communication?

The members of the committee who disperse our Christmas packages for needy families refuse to tell our board who the recipients are, saying the families might be ashamed. I think some of the packages go to relatives of other board...

Building capacity on boards of governance

Karen has been serving with a governance board for two years. It’s been a wild two years! In her first year, both senior managers quit within six months of each other, leaving the board scrambling for replacements. Members of the...

Understanding charitable objects: The advancement of education

For an organization to be registered as a charity, its purposes must fall within one of four categories, one of which is the advancement of education. Adam Aptowitzer, a lawyer with the Ottawa-based law firm Drache LLP, explains what types...

Governance Q&A: How to respond to a company’s CSR efforts

A company in my community has asked our organization to participate in a stakeholder consultation. Except for small donations, this company has done nothing for charities and nonprofits. It produces noise, smells, waste and traffic problems. Would it be ethical...

Understanding the CRA’s intermediate sanctions

In order to maintain their status, registered charities must comply with a number of rules and regulations. Those that do not face sanctions, or worse, deregistration. Adam Aptowitzer, a lawyer with the Ottawa-based law firm Drache LLP, explains what types...

The right people at the right time: Considering dual leadership in the nonprofit sector

With today’s hectic pace, how often have you wished there was two of you so you could be in two places at the same time? That’s just one of the benefits cited by Tanya Sather of the Burnaby Association for...

Tools for nonprofit leaders: The difference between for-profit and not-for-profit organizations

Not-for-profit organization leaders are routinely required to explain the difference been for-profit and not-for-profit organizations to new staff, volunteers, or the person next to them on the train. This article is a primer for you to use. Because there are...

Developing a business case

Introduction If you have ever pitched a project idea, you have likely been asked what the business case for the project is. This is the person’s way of saying, “What’s in it for me?” Developing a business case is your...

Improving the performance of governance boards

Terry can be opinionated about her experience serving on boards in the nonprofit sector. Most of Terry’s board work has failed to measure up to expectations, and some experiences were downright frustrating. At the last organization, board members were informed...
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