Hosting a successful conference: An exhibitor’s point of view

We have been an exhibitor or sponsor/exhibitor at several conferences. Hosting a conference that is successful for everyone involved takes planning. We would like to comment on the role of exhibitors and how you can ensure your conference will be...

Providing third-party information to the CRA

When audited by the Canada Revenue Agency, charities may find themselves being asked to provide third-party information. Third-parties can be as varied as the charity's donors or employees, and when the CRA requests information, a charity has little choice but...

Governance Q&A: Removing board members

Is it appropriate for the board of directors to get rid of the president without coming to the members first? We held an annual general meeting to dissolve that board, and as a result the bank will not recognize the...

What you need to know about CRA compliance agreements

Compliance agreements are really just agreements made by an organization to comply with the law. How does this affect charities? Typically, compliance agreements occur between charities and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), often following an infraction. Find out exactly what...

Governance Q&A: Handling a sick leave

The written policies of my organization allow staff to take up to three months paid sick leave. I have requested one day off each week for ten weeks to attend a rehabilitation program that was suggested to me by my...

Looking at how you do what you do: One way to collaborate

So often in the voluntary sector we talk about collaboration. However, a number of factors can make collaboration in the sector quite difficult. These include: Funder-driven legacy: Often in the Canadian context, when government has encouraged collaboration we have experienced...

Two-Headed Lion: How board chairs and executive directors work together

The Lion Emblem shows a two-headed lion, which symbolizes the activities of the Lions throughout the world; one is looking in the direction of all past achievements, while the other is looking at all future endeavors (West Mifflin Lions Club...

Lessons learned in a nonprofit world: The anxious nonprofit

Funding is tight, targets are hard to meet, and clients are demanding more from you. Emotions and stress are running high. You meet as a team to find a solution and, if you are like many, you might make the...

Learning communities: The best investment we can make

Economic and political uncertainty top global news headlines these days. Yet, in the midst of the turbulence, David Holtzman, senior knowledge exchange specialist at the Canadian Council on Learning (CCL), reminds us that “learning is the most important investment we...

Dealing with the CRA Charities Directorate

When it comes to compliance with tax laws, many charities feel slightly in the dark. But an understanding of the CRA Charities Directorate and its regulations is of utmost importance if your charity is to avoid an audit, investigation, or...