Gimme Shelter: What it takes to be a successful umbrella organization

How does an umbrella organization fulfill its stated goals and satisfy its members who entrust it with their confidence and, sometimes even their fees?

Tools for nonprofit leaders: Using templates

As we build our inventory of tools for leaders of nonprofit organizations, we devote this month’s article to templates. A template is document or file having a preset format, used as a starting point for a particular application so that the format does not have to be recreated each time it is used.

Preparing newcomers for life in Canada: The NPO’s role

Although Canada is a country of tolerance, opportunity, and world-famous politesse, for new immigrants it can be a minefield of cultural unknowns, indecipherable mores and baffling bureaucracy. Nonprofits play a crucial role in helping newcomers adapt to and settle in Canada.

Governance Q&A: In a nonprofit organization, who protects whistle-blowers?

Discussing the appropriate internal routes for internal whistle-blowing that protects employees.

Festival survival: A behind-the-scenes look at the business of fun

Whether it’s an over-saturated market, increased competition for sponsors, fickle attendees, escalating financial costs or inclement weather, the number of obstacles facing festivals today are many. So, how do the Shaw and others avoid festival landmines and achieve success?

Defining what your project management office will do

To deploy a PMO, you need to start with a Terms of Reference (ToR). This article will serve as a guide to creating a basic outline for a Terms of Reference for a PMO.

Purchasing ethics 101

Nonprofit organizations may even have a harder time making purchases and getting supplies because they exist to serve their communities. They must be more mindful of the ethics of retaining suppliers or materiel while drawing on fewer resources.

Governing for results: How boards can add value

An article describing the premise and process of a results-based board.

Handling disputes with the Canadian Revenue Agency: The audit phase

This 2006 article outlines the rights and responsibilities of an organization when disputing a penalty imposed by the CRA.

Governance Q&A: Should I tell my boss that I’m looking for a new job?

A small charity depends on the program coordinator, but no career path or challenging roles are made available.