Upcoming Events

Switch to Calendar View

• Governance Professionals of Canada Education Program (GPC-EP)

  • Start
    01 Jan 2021
  •  
    (EST)
  • End
    01 Jan 2023
  •  
    (EST)
  • Location
    Check Specific Module delivery location

  Register

  The GPC-EP delivers critical and relevant content for governance professionals in a condensed, rigorous program with key speakers from across Canada. It consists of three 2.5 day Course that are each at least offered twice a year, enabling busy professionals to complete the modules in a schedule that works for them.

  It is designed for anyone operating in a governance role, whether in public, private, not-for-profit or governmental organizations. Individuals new to these roles as well as seasoned professionals will find benefit in the GPC.D as it will not only provide them with the latest best practices, skills and tools in governance, but will enhance standard of their profession.

  Registration Fee:
  

  • GPC member price: $7,550 + HST
    
  • Non Member price: $8,250 + HST (includes the cost of a ONE YEAR GPC membership and processing fee)

  Please note that GPC members will be given priority on first come, first served basis.

  You may register for any of the courses as a standalone for professional development learning opportunity, or you can choose to explore the complete series to earn your Governance Professionals of Canada Designation: GPC.D.

  Read More!
  

  Show details
• Applied Governance - Two and Half day Course

  • Start
    23 Apr 2021
  •  
    8:30 AM (EDT)
  • End
    25 Apr 2021
  •  
    12:00 PM (EDT)
  • Location
    ONLINE, EDT
  • Spaces left
    0

  Join waitlist

  Day 1

  Meeting Processes and AGMs

  The purpose of the session is to provide the tools for holding successful meetings – the ultimate decision-making process for all organizations including:

  • The legal and regulatory requirements for Board, committee and shareholder or member meetings
  • Tools and processes for organizing and holding successful and effective meetings
  • The special nature of shareholder and member meetings and best practices

  Financial Literacy for the Non-Financial Governance Professional

  The purpose of this module is to help give you an understanding of business finance, and the role of the Board, Audit Committee, Auditors and the Governance Professional in the preparation, presentation and analysis of financial information.

  Participants will develop an understanding with respect to:

  • Accounting terms and the significance and relevance of financial information
  • The budgeting process including the fundamentals of preparing and mastering budgets
  • Basic concepts underlying the preparation and presentation of financial statements
  • Controls and policies that help ensure accuracy and reliability of accounting systems

  Day 2 (Full Day)

  Minutes and Minutes Management

  The purpose of the session is to provide the tools for preparing minutes that protect the organization and its directors – with the objective of evidencing the due-diligence of the Board in its decision-making processes.

  Participants will explore the following topics in depth:

  • The legal and regulatory requirements for minutes
  • Tools and processes for implementing and maintaining effective minutes
  • Best practice minute taking, preparation and maintenance procedures
  • Records Management

  Day 3

  Carefully Crafting Bylaws to Enable Sound Governance

  In this session, the use of bylaws as an importance foundation of sound governance will be explained, including their sources of content and drafting considerations. Participants will explore the following topics in depth:

  • The direct role of bylaws in supporting many facets of governance
  • The typical topics found in bylaws and various approaches to deciding their content
  • How to research which sources of information when crafting bylaws

  
  Cancellation and Refund Policy:
  

  If canceling the program in its entirety outside of 2 months prior to taking your first course, the program fee will be refunded with a cancellation penalty of $500. If canceling the program within 3 weeks of taking your first course, the program fee will be refunded with a cancellation penalty of $1,000. If cancellation occurs during or after the first module has been started, there will be no further refunds. Companies or individuals may transfer their registration to another individual only if cancellation occurs prio

  r to taking the first course only or individuals may be able to transfer their registration to another individual only if cancellation occurs prior to taking the first of the 3 courses only. All cancellations or transfer requests must be received by email to education@gpcanada.org.

  Show details
• Not-for-Profit Governance: Unique Challenges and Opportunities

  • When
    05 May 2021
  •  
    1:00 PM - 4:00 PM (EDT)
  • Location
    Webinar (EST)

  Register

  This GPC Not-for-Profit Governance seminar is designed to tackle the issues that have the greatest impact on overall board effectiveness and good governance for not-for-profit organizations. Providing you with tools to deal with shifting priorities, new risks and increased complexity in this sector, in order to help you keep pace with the speed of resulting governance changes.

  Rethinking your governance model to have your Board focus on its contribution is critical. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to create a new platform from which you and your Board can deliver greater value.

  Each participant will have the opportunity to identify their own governance priorities and challenges prior to the Boot Camp, and will leave having the opportunity to identify opportunities to address their own issues in practical and impactful ways.

  Who Should Attend

  All sessions are designed for and open to NFP Board leaders, Board members and their governance professionals. The program is formatted to be conducive to acquiring knowledge and tips that are immediately applicable in any organization.

  Agenda

  Participants will learn how to view the role and contribution of their boards differently from traditional models. The workshop will challenge conventional governance thinking and how the Board can play a more integral role in organizational success.

  1.       Introduction

  2.       Board Structure

  • A new governance framework
  • From Governance Inputs to Outcomes
  • Common Governance Challenges (and Solutions!)
  • Board accountabilities
  • Individual director responsibilities
  • Board make-up
  • Committees
  • Board leadership

  3. Board Processes

  • Board member life-cycle
  • Board and Committee
  • Effectiveness Effective Meetings
    

  4. Board Culture / Dynamics

  • Teamwork, director independence and conduct
  • Board / Director relationship with Staff
  • Meeting effectiveness

  5. Healthcare Governance Case Study

  • Application of session learning

  6. Re-cap of Issues / Adjournment 

  About the Speaker

  

  John Dinner
  President, John T. Dinner Board Governance Services

  (Click on the speaker's name to see his biography.)

  Show details
• Strategic Governance - Two and Half day Course

  • Start
    14 May 2021
  •  
    8:00 AM (EDT)
  • End
    16 May 2021
  •  
    12:00 PM (EDT)
  • Location
    ONLINE, EDT
  • Spaces left
    0

  Join waitlist

  Day 1

  Risk and the Governance Professional

  The purpose of the session is to provide the introductory basics, with selected corresponding tools, to introduce the Governance Professional to two key elements of Risk Management:

  • Enterprise Risk Management- An introduction to the “Mechanics of ERM”
  • Commercial Insurance to protect the Organization and its Directors & Officers

   The role of the Governance Professional in Board Strategy

  • Governing Principles
  • Best Practices
  • Practical Tools
  • Implementation Skills

  Day 2
  

  Sustainability, ESG, Corporate Purpose, and the Role of the Board

  • Governing Principles
  • Best Practices
  • Practical Tools
  • Implementation Skill

  Advanced Financial Fundamentals

  • Governing Principles
  • Best Practices
  • Practical Tools
  • Implementation Skills 
    

  Day 3

  Ethics
  

  • Governing Principles
  • Best Practices
  • Practical Tools
  • Implementation Skills 

  Cancellation and Refund Policy:

  If canceling the program in its entirety outside of 2 months prior to taking your first course, the program fee will be refunded with a cancellation penalty of $500. If canceling the program within 3 weeks of taking your first course, the program fee will be refunded with a cancellation penalty of $1,000. If cancellation occurs during or after the first module has been started, there will be no further refunds. Companies or individuals may transfer their registration to another individual only if cancellation occurs prior to taking the first course only or individuals may be able to transfer their registration to another individual only if cancellation occurs prior to taking the first of the 3 courses only. All cancellations or transfer requests must be received by email to education@gpcanada.org.

  Show details
• Governance 101: an introduction to organizational governance (Spring Session)

  • Start
    19 May 2021
  •  
    10:00 AM (EDT)
  • End
    20 May 2021
  •  
    4:00 PM (EDT)
  • Location
    Webinar
  • Spaces left
    5

  Register

  COURSE  OVERVIEW

  This 2-day intensive workshop will be launched as a virtual course, as a pre-cursor to our GPC Education program. In this course, participants will gain basic exposure to the subject matter of governance.

  Governance 101 is a certificate course. In registering for this program, you agree to be present for the full session of the course. Your active participation is required for you to gain a certificate. Please be ready to be on-camera for the entire session, so you will be available to be called upon by our speaker, network with others, participate in relevant discussions and practically apply the lessons learned to relevant case studies.
  

  The ideal audience for this course includes the following:

  ·       Individuals who are new to their role

  ·       People with junior positions in their organizations with some governance functions

  ·       Individuals in administrative positions attending to governance processes

  ·       Boards or more senior governance professionals may also not have had a proper introduction to the subject matter

  COURSE OBJECTIVES

  The objectives of the course are as follows:

  1.      Focus on individuals who have little or no knowledge of governance but could be:  

  ·       Joining a NFP board for the first time

  ·       Executive assistant being asked to take notes at board or management meetings

  ·       In process of accepting or moving into a position related to organizational governance

  ·       Individuals wanting to position themselves for a position related to governance

  2.     Provide access to a training program that is financially accessible

  3.     Provide an intensive 2-day session that fulfills knowledge requirements in a brief time.

  4.      To be a critical component of a planned ‘Governance in a Box’ concept which will consist of the 2-day workshop, a Glossary of Terms, and an on-line tool to provide access to the documents, forms, templates and best practices needed for establishing an effective governance framework for various kinds of organizations.

  
  

  LEARNING OBJECTIVES

  1.     Understand what governance means, and how it looks the same and different for various kinds of organizations

  2.     Understand the key principles of governance: accountability, transparency, independence, participation and predictability

  3.     Learn about the different structures that underpin the governance of an organization: by-laws, board of directors, committees,

  4.     Learn about the decision-making process for organizations through meetings, resolutions, minutes, board/management relationships

  5.     Understand the nature of the organization’s relationships with various stakeholders: the difference between shareholders and members; why understanding stakeholder needs is a key governance function.

  
  

  WORKSHOP OUTLINE

  Day 1  - Understanding Governance Basics

  Morning Session

  ·       What is governance: essential terms and definitions

  ·       We ‘build’ the governance structure based on the organization’s purpose;

  ·       Structure consists of the legal entity choice – essential ‘plumbing’ in by-laws – board – committee –

  ·       5 key Governance Principles described

  ·       Breakout exercises to understand how principles get put into practice

  
  

  Afternoon Session

  ·       Strengthening structure for better decisions

  ·       By-laws

  ·       Boards

  ·       Committees

  ·       Dividing the work/responsibilities – Board and management

  ·       What do directors really do? Their duties and responsibilities

  ·       Breakout sessions: 

  1.     What are the advantages and disadvantages of a ‘big’ board? 

  2.     Why do people join boards of directors?  

  3.     Should employees always have a seat in the boardroom?

  
  

  Day 2  - The Key Tools for good governance

  Morning Session

  •       The role of the corporate secretary/governance professional

  •       Effective meetings: what, why, who and how

  •       AGMs Special meetings, board and committee meetings

  •       Key tools 

  •       Getting the right board: composition, terms, orientation

  •       And keeping it effective: training and evaluations

  
  

  Afternoon Session

  •   Meeting minutes

  ·       What are corporations are worrying about:

  ·       CSR/ESG/Triple Bottom Line/Sustainability – all explained

  ·       CEO compensation – what is the issue?

  ·       Diversity and inclusion – what is the issue?

  ·       Breakout session:  What is your organization worrying about?

  
  

  

  
  

  Janis Riven, BCL, LLB, MBA, FCIS,

  Acc. Dir., Principal

  governance & compliance solutions

  
  

  (Click on the speaker's name to see her biography.)

  
  

  Show details
• Practical Project Management for Governance Professionals 2.0

  • When
    26 May 2021
  •  
    10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (EDT)
  • Location
    Webinar (EST)

  Register

  This full-day interactive event provides a comprehensive overview of project management processes, and brings all participants up to a general skill level and language. The session focuses on critical paths, key success factors, managing the unexpected, overcoming challenges, managing teams and stakeholder expectations, and post-project completion tasks, for all around effective planning and successful execution of projects.

  Session topics include:

  1. Project management discipline
  2. Project management fundamentals for success
  3. Managing competing priorities of time, cost and scope
  4. People management: project stakeholders and the project team
  5. Initiating a project, project planning, tracking and deadline management
  6. Converting your plan into action
  7. The work breakdown structure and critical path setting
  8. Managing issues, conflicts and planning for the unexpected
  9. The fine art of killing a project
  10. Formal project close and post implementation review and reporting

  March 2020 Cancellation Policy

  About the Speaker

  
  

  

  Peter Wright
  President, The Planning Group

  (Click on the speaker's name to see his biography.)

  Show details
• Secretariat Records Management - From Soup to Nuts

  • When
    09 Jun 2021
  •  
    1:00 PM - 4:00 PM (EDT)
  • Location
    Webinar (EST)

  Register

  
  

  
  

  In this session we will explore all aspects of an efficient records management program for the corporate secretary's department. Starting with the reasons a robust records management program is an essential requirement; moving on to the legal requirements for records creation and retention; generally accepted standards and best practices in records management; risk management considerations; litigation and investigation holds; access controls and restrictions and managing rights of access for directors, officers, auditors and others; solicitor-client privilege; the lifecycle for records; tracking, storing, retrieving and destroying records; integrating paper and paperless techniques into a seamless process; business continuity and disaster recovery considerations; and creating and managing a bottom-up system that allows each member of the corporate secretary's staff to manage the records for their area of expertise and responsibility while providing access for all team members.

  
  

  March 2020 Cancellation Policy

  Speaker

  

  David Masse
  Barrister and Solicitor, Caravel Law LLC. 

  (Click on the speaker's name to see his biography.)

  Show details
• Foundations of Governance - Two and Half day Course

  • Start
    25 Jun 2021
  •  
    10:30 AM (EDT)
  • End
    27 Jun 2021
  •  
    2:00 PM (EDT)
  • Location
    ONLINE
  • Spaces left
    13

  Register

  The Foundations of Governance Course consists of two and a half days covering key areas of governance, which include: the role of the governance professional, director management, advising the board, board dynamics, effectiveness, culture, relationships and conflicts.

  Within each of these areas, practitioners in governance will take a thorough look at central elements of practice and how to navigate difficult situations, apply best practices and important tools in the day to day running of a governance office. This course is a comprehensive view of the key foundations and practice of governance, and essential for professionals both seasoned and new to the role. 

  Program:

  Day 1 - Core of Governance and the role of the governance professional

  This session sets out the expectations and growing role and responsibilities of the Governance Professional.  It will examine the legal commonalities and differences among various kinds of organizations and how they impact oversight, strategic and operational functions.

  Participants will explore the following topics in depth:

  • What is a Governance Professional – Job description
  • The legal, regulatory and public policy basis of governance for not-for-profits, state-owned organizations, private and public corporations;
  • How the principles of accountability, transparency and independence can be practiced effectively in different organizational contexts;
  • Practical tools for developing effective governance practices under different organizational cultures
  • Legal Entities/structures (differences and similarities)
  • Duty of the corporate secretary
  • Director responsibilities, Mandate and fiduciary duties
  • Regulators and Laws
  • NFPs, Crowns, Co-ops, partnerships
  • Officers (role of CEO, Directors, CO), D&O Liability and Integrity agreements
  • Ethics, confidentiality , privacy, Conflicts of Interest, up-the-ladder reporting duties
  • Accountability, Transparency, Independence
  • Policy Management
  • Monitoring governance best practices sponsored by stakeholders

  Day 2 – Director Management – Driving Board Effectiveness throughout the Director Life Cycle

  The purpose of the session is to provide the tools for developing critical processes to enhance Board effectiveness from before directors join the Board, through their tenure and until they leave – with the objective of improving the Board’s decision-making processes

  Participants will explore the following topics in depth:

  • The legal, regulatory and best practice requirements for key director processes
  • The role of the Governance Professional in supporting and encouraging good governance practices with regard to recruiting, orienting, education, evaluating and removing directors

  Board Committees Framework

  The purpose of this session is to provide information on the tools and framework for the purpose of committees, relationship to the board, roles and responsibilities, board delegation along with committee rights and authority.

  Participants will explore the following topics in depth:

  Committee focus and work

  • Types of Committees
  • Committee mandate template
  • Committee reporting process and template
  • Structuring the Committee

  Day 3 – Soft Skills – Managing and Influencing Board Dynamics, Culture, Relationships & Conflicts

  Boardroom dynamics have a significant yet largely unrecognized impact on good governance.  The governance professional has a critical role in supporting their board in fostering a more conducive boardroom culture by mastering the required soft skills to do so.

  Faculty:

  • Janis Riven, BCL, LLB, MBA, FCIS, Acc.Dir (bio)

  • Heather Laxton, Chief Governance Officer & Corporate Secretary, Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd. (bio)

  • John Dinner, President, John T. Dinner Board Governance Services (bio)

  Important Note:

  This Event is one of three courses that make up the full GPC-EP education program and which leads to the GPC.D (Governance Professionals of Canada Designation). 

  You have the option to register and attend this event without committing to the full Education program, however, you will not be eligible to the professional designation (GPC.D), unless you complete all 3 modules as well as their individual exams and the final evaluation. 
  

  Participants who are registered for the Education program (GPC-EP) will be required to write an exam after the completion of this module. 
  

  If you wish to enroll in the entire designation program to obtain the GPC.D designation (and save on the cost of the entire program), you can change your registration here: Education program on this link.

  
  Cancellation and Refund Policy:
  

  If canceling the program in its entirety outside of 2 months prior to taking your first course, the program fee will be refunded with a cancellation penalty of $500. If canceling the program within 3 weeks of taking your first course, the program fee will be refunded with a cancellation penalty of $1,000. If cancellation occurs during or after the first module has been started, there will be no further refunds. Companies or individuals may transfer their registration to another individual only if cancellation occurs prior to taking the first course only or individuals may be able to transfer their registration to another individual only if cancellation occurs prior to taking the first of the 3 courses only. All cancellations or transfer requests must be received by email to education@gpcanada.org.

  .

  Show details
• Meetings, Minutes and Running Effective Board Meetings

  • When
    07 Jul 2021
  •  
    1:00 PM - 4:30 PM (EDT)
  • Location
    Webinar (EST)

  Register

  Meetings, Minutes and Running Effective Board Meetings is brought to you by Diligent. This session outlines statutory and common law rules in relation to meetings of directors, members, managed investment schemes, class meetings and meetings of creditors. This workshop provides guidance on good governance practices for the notice, planning and conduct of meetings and examines legal and regulatory requirements for procedures in relation to minutes and running effective board meetings.

  This workshop is an interactive half-day gaining insight on both the practical and legal requirements you need to be aware of when holding meetings, taking minutes, recording procedures, guiding directors, preparing resolutions and managing circumstances such as conflicts of interest.

  Topic Covered:

  • Minutes Fundamentals
  • Briefing Materials
  • Legalities; Rules & Regulations
  • Actions & Resolutions
  • In-Camera Meetings
  • ... and more

  Session Agenda

  • 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm Welcome
  • 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm Presentation (working BREAK at approximately 3:30 pm)
  • 4:30 pm - Workshop Concludes

  March 2020 Cancellation Policy

  Speaker

  

  
  

  Janis Riven, BCL, LLB, MBA, FCIS,

  Acc. Dir., Principal

  governance & compliance solutions

  
  

  (Click on the speaker's name to see her biography.)

  Event Sponsor:

  

  
  

  Show details
• 23rd Annual Corporate Governance Conference

  • Start
    17 Aug 2021
  •  
    9:00 AM (EDT)
  • End
    18 Aug 2021
  •  
    5:00 PM (EDT)
  • Location
    Virtual - Event

  Register

  GPC’s 23rd Annual Corporate Governance Conference will take place ‘virtually’ on August 17-18, 2021

  Here is a sneak peak at just some of the topics you have to look forward to:
  

  • How Boards Can Avoid Strategic Blind Spots – Framework for Integrating Future Risk in Planning
  • Change and Organizational Culture in Governance
  • 30 Years of Ethical Dilemmas: Lessons Learned on an Ethics Journey
  • The Essential Role of Boards to Achieve a Net-Zero Economy
  • Lessons Learned From TSX-60 DEI (Diversity Equity and Inclusion) Best Practices
  • How ESG is Reshaping Governance and Redefining the Role of the Board
  • Cyber Risk on the Rise: Understanding Business Risks and Mitigating Cyber Threats
  • The Board's role in leadership transitions
  • Enhancing Disclosure of Climate Related Risks: Key Governance and Risk Management Issues
  • Ethics and Artificial Intelligence: Business, Reputational and Legal risks
  • Board Orientation Best Practices
  • AGMs of the Future and the Rise of the Shareholder Voice
  • Early-Stage Boards - Evolution and Development
  • Listening to the Voices of Diversity: Understanding and Enhancing Diversity Through ‘listening channels’
  • Digital Technology as an Enabler for Future-Ready Governance

  Our event will once again be using an innovative and interactive virtual platform which simulates a physical event with stunning virtual interactive spaces! The unique and simple navigation will make you feel like you are practically there in the flesh and great networking options will help you connect with other participants.
  
  We will also be hosting our regular annual tradeshow within our virtual space with customized exhibitor booths, on-demand content and demos, and live chat forums for optimal sponsor engagement!
  
  Don’t miss all the action and content packed sessions!...
  
  Event Replay
  
  Back by popular demand: All registrants will have access to the conference portal for an entire month after the conference, to revisit and catch up with any of the sessions you missed.
  
  WHY ATTEND?
  

  • We have a first-class agenda with top issues and subject matter experts in governance
  • Our attendees will have the ability to connect at the event through rich interactive tools such as audio/video/chat rooms, polls, webinars, and videos in an immersive environment to get the conversation going!
  • Our event will simulate a physical environment with spectacular virtual & interactive spaces
  • We will enable you to navigate the venue with ease in a stimulating environment that is mobile friendly and highly interactive.
  • We will be able to reach a wider audience through our innovative virtual conference platform
  • Registrants have the option to not only attend in real-time, but also access all sessions and exhibitors after the fact, so you won’t miss any sessions and can watch when it is convenient for you.

  
  

  
  

  23rd Conference Presenting Sponsor and Official Partner of GPC:

  

  
  

  Conference Sponsors:

  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  Show details
• Brutal Prioritization in Times of Turbulence

  • When
    25 Aug 2021
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM (EDT)
  • Location
    Webinar

  Register

  Successfully doing more with less time and resources
  

  After all the strategizing and planning, no one really wants to stop doing anything. Too many priorities and too little focus is a menace for most organizations today. Yet, organizations with fewer priorities are much more effective and actually accomplish more. With hilarious anecdotes and tested and proven solutions, Peter Wright makes the case for brutal prioritization and maps out the steps for real change, real courage and the liberation that comes from doing less.

  
  Participants will learn:
  

  • Techniques for better prioritization
  • Where and how to make painful cuts to your strategy to be more focused
  • How you can get more done by doing less
  • How to clean out your to-do lists to make prioritization successful
  • How to distinguish between important and urgent

  
  

  March 2020 Cancellation Policy

  About the Speaker

  
  

  

  Peter Wright
  President, The Planning Group

  (Click on the speaker's name to see his biography.)

  Show details
• Applied Governance - Two and Half day Course

  • Start
    10 Sep 2021
  •  
    10:30 AM (PDT)
  • End
    12 Sep 2021
  •  
    2:00 PM (PDT)
  • Location
    ONLINE

  Register

  Day 1

  Meeting Processes and AGMs

  The purpose of the session is to provide the tools for holding successful meetings – the ultimate decision-making process for all organizations including:

  • The legal and regulatory requirements for Board, committee and shareholder or member meetings
  • Tools and processes for organizing and holding successful and effective meetings
  • The special nature of shareholder and member meetings and best practices

  Financial Literacy for the Non-Financial Governance Professional

  The purpose of this module is to help give you an understanding of business finance, and the role of the Board, Audit Committee, Auditors and the Governance Professional in the preparation, presentation and analysis of financial information.

  Participants will develop an understanding with respect to:

  • Accounting terms and the significance and relevance of financial information
  • The budgeting process including the fundamentals of preparing and mastering budgets
  • Basic concepts underlying the preparation and presentation of financial statements
  • Controls and policies that help ensure accuracy and reliability of accounting systems

  Day 2 (Full Day)

  Minutes and Minutes Management

  The purpose of the session is to provide the tools for preparing minutes that protect the organization and its directors – with the objective of evidencing the due-diligence of the Board in its decision-making processes.

  Participants will explore the following topics in depth:

  • The legal and regulatory requirements for minutes
  • Tools and processes for implementing and maintaining effective minutes
  • Best practice minute taking, preparation and maintenance procedures
  • Records Management

  Day 3

  Carefully Crafting Bylaws to Enable Sound Governance

  In this session, the use of bylaws as an importance foundation of sound governance will be explained, including their sources of content and drafting considerations. Participants will explore the following topics in depth:

  • The direct role of bylaws in supporting many facets of governance
  • The typical topics found in bylaws and various approaches to deciding their content
  • How to research which sources of information when crafting bylaws

  
  Cancellation and Refund Policy:
  

  If canceling the program in its entirety outside of 2 months prior to taking your first course, the program fee will be refunded with a cancellation penalty of $500. If canceling the program within 3 weeks of taking your first course, the program fee will be refunded with a cancellation penalty of $1,000. If cancellation occurs during or after the first module has been started, there will be no further refunds. Companies or individuals may transfer their registration to another individual only if cancellation occurs prio

  r to taking the first course only or individuals may be able to transfer their registration to another individual only if cancellation occurs prior to taking the first of the 3 courses only. All cancellations or transfer requests must be received by email to education@gpcanada.org.

  Show details
• Meetings, Minutes and Running Effective Board Meetings

  • When
    23 Sep 2021
  •  
    1:00 PM - 4:30 PM (EDT)
  • Location
    Webinar (EST)

  Register

  Meetings, Minutes and Running Effective Board Meetings is brought to you by Diligent. This session outlines statutory and common law rules in relation to meetings of directors, members, managed investment schemes, class meetings and meetings of creditors. This workshop provides guidance on good governance practices for the notice, planning and conduct of meetings and examines legal and regulatory requirements for procedures in relation to minutes and running effective board meetings.

  This workshop is an interactive half-day gaining insight on both the practical and legal requirements you need to be aware of when holding meetings, taking minutes, recording procedures, guiding directors, preparing resolutions and managing circumstances such as conflicts of interest.

  Topic Covered:

  • Minutes Fundamentals
  • Briefing Materials
  • Legalities; Rules & Regulations
  • Actions & Resolutions
  • In-Camera Meetings
  • ... and more

  Session Agenda

  • 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm Welcome
  • 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm Presentation (working BREAK at approximately 3:30 pm)
  • 4:30 pm - Workshop Concludes

  March 2020 Cancellation Policy

  Speaker

  

  John Dinner
  President, John T. Dinner Board Governance Services

  (Click on the speaker's name to see his biography.)

  Event Sponsor:

  

  
  

  Show details
• Strategic Governance - Two and Half day Course

  • Start
    01 Oct 2021
  •  
    10:30 AM (PDT)
  • End
    03 Oct 2021
  •  
    2:00 PM (PDT)
  • Location
    ONLINE
  • Spaces left
    5

  Register

  Day 1

  Risk and the Governance Professional

  The purpose of the session is to provide the introductory basics, with selected corresponding tools, to introduce the Governance Professional to two key elements of Risk Management:

  • Enterprise Risk Management- An introduction to the “Mechanics of ERM”
  • Commercial Insurance to protect the Organization and its Directors & Officers

   The role of the Governance Professional in Board Strategy

  • Governing Principles
  • Best Practices
  • Practical Tools
  • Implementation Skills

  Day 2
  

  Sustainability, ESG, Corporate Purpose, and the Role of the Board

  • Governing Principles
  • Best Practices
  • Practical Tools
  • Implementation Skill

  Advanced Financial Fundamentals

  • Governing Principles
  • Best Practices
  • Practical Tools
  • Implementation Skills 
    

  Day 3

  Ethics
  

  • Governing Principles
  • Best Practices
  • Practical Tools
  • Implementation Skills 

  Cancellation and Refund Policy:

  If canceling the program in its entirety outside of 2 months prior to taking your first course, the program fee will be refunded with a cancellation penalty of $500. If canceling the program within 3 weeks of taking your first course, the program fee will be refunded with a cancellation penalty of $1,000. If cancellation occurs during or after the first module has been started, there will be no further refunds. Companies or individuals may transfer their registration to another individual only if cancellation occurs prior to taking the first course only or individuals may be able to transfer their registration to another individual only if cancellation occurs prior to taking the first of the 3 courses only. All cancellations or transfer requests must be received by email to education@gpcanada.org.

  Show details
• Board, Committee and Director Assessments

  • When
    18 Oct 2021
  •  
    1:00 PM - 4:00 PM (EDT)
  • Location
    Webinar (EST)

  Register

  Are your board and director evaluation processes a little tired and need a re-energized approach?
  

  This session is designed to give new life to this critical governance practice, in order to ensure that your governance processes and practices are effective. This session will get you off to the right start.
  Reflecting on decades of hands-on experience and success with clients across sectors, John Dinner will provide behind the scenes insights into how to generate real value from your board and director assessments in ways that have direct impact back in the boardroom.
  
  This session will cover:
  

  • evaluation process design options
  • how to best engage board members in the relatively safe exercise of full board assessments,
  • how to ensure your individual director assessment process is well received and produces constructive outcomes..

  March 2020 Cancellation Policy

  Speaker

  

  John Dinner
  President, John T. Dinner Board Governance Services

  (Click on the speaker's name to see his biography.)

  Show details
• Foundations of Governance - Two and Half day Course

  • Start
    29 Oct 2021
  •  
    8:00 AM (EDT)
  • End
    31 Oct 2021
  •  
    12:00 PM (EDT)
  • Location
    Toronto, TBD
  • Spaces left
    19

  Register

  The Foundations of Governance Course consists of two and a half days covering key areas of governance, which include: the role of the governance professional, director management, advising the board, board dynamics, effectiveness, culture, relationships and conflicts.

  Within each of these areas, practitioners in governance will take a thorough look at central elements of practice and how to navigate difficult situations, apply best practices and important tools in the day to day running of a governance office. This course is a comprehensive view of the key foundations and practice of governance, and essential for professionals both seasoned and new to the role. 

  Program:

  Day 1 - Core of Governance and the role of the governance professional

  This session sets out the expectations and growing role and responsibilities of the Governance Professional.  It will examine the legal commonalities and differences among various kinds of organizations and how they impact oversight, strategic and operational functions.

  Participants will explore the following topics in depth:

  • What is a Governance Professional – Job description
  • The legal, regulatory and public policy basis of governance for not-for-profits, state-owned organizations, private and public corporations;
  • How the principles of accountability, transparency and independence can be practiced effectively in different organizational contexts;
  • Practical tools for developing effective governance practices under different organizational cultures
  • Legal Entities/structures (differences and similarities)
  • Duty of the corporate secretary
  • Director responsibilities, Mandate and fiduciary duties
  • Regulators and Laws
  • NFPs, Crowns, Co-ops, partnerships
  • Officers (role of CEO, Directors, CO), D&O Liability and Integrity agreements
  • Ethics, confidentiality , privacy, Conflicts of Interest, up-the-ladder reporting duties
  • Accountability, Transparency, Independence
  • Policy Management
  • Monitoring governance best practices sponsored by stakeholders

  Day 2 – Director Management – Driving Board Effectiveness throughout the Director Life Cycle

  The purpose of the session is to provide the tools for developing critical processes to enhance Board effectiveness from before directors join the Board, through their tenure and until they leave – with the objective of improving the Board’s decision-making processes

  Participants will explore the following topics in depth:

  • The legal, regulatory and best practice requirements for key director processes
  • The role of the Governance Professional in supporting and encouraging good governance practices with regard to recruiting, orienting, education, evaluating and removing directors

  Board Committees Framework

  The purpose of this session is to provide information on the tools and framework for the purpose of committees, relationship to the board, roles and responsibilities, board delegation along with committee rights and authority.

  Participants will explore the following topics in depth:

  Committee focus and work

  • Types of Committees
  • Committee mandate template
  • Committee reporting process and template
  • Structuring the Committee

  Day 3 – Soft Skills – Managing and Influencing Board Dynamics, Culture, Relationships & Conflicts

  Boardroom dynamics have a significant yet largely unrecognized impact on good governance.  The governance professional has a critical role in supporting their board in fostering a more conducive boardroom culture by mastering the required soft skills to do so.

  Faculty:

  • Janis Riven, BCL, LLB, MBA, FCIS, Acc.Dir (bio)

  • Heather Laxton, Chief Governance Officer & Corporate Secretary, Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd. (bio)

  • John Dinner, President, John T. Dinner Board Governance Services (bio)

  Important Note:

  This Event is one of three courses that make up the full GPC-EP education program and which leads to the GPC.D (Governance Professionals of Canada Designation). 

  You have the option to register and attend this event without committing to the full Education program, however, you will not be eligible to the professional designation (GPC.D), unless you complete all 3 modules as well as their individual exams and the final evaluation. 
  

  Participants who are registered for the Education program (GPC-EP) will be required to write an exam after the completion of this module. 
  

  If you wish to enroll in the entire designation program to obtain the GPC.D designation (and save on the cost of the entire program), you can change your registration here: Education program on this link.

  
  Cancellation and Refund Policy:
  

  If canceling the program in its entirety outside of 2 months prior to taking your first course, the program fee will be refunded with a cancellation penalty of $500. If canceling the program within 3 weeks of taking your first course, the program fee will be refunded with a cancellation penalty of $1,000. If cancellation occurs during or after the first module has been started, there will be no further refunds. Companies or individuals may transfer their registration to another individual only if cancellation occurs prior to taking the first course only or individuals may be able to transfer their registration to another individual only if cancellation occurs prior to taking the first of the 3 courses only. All cancellations or transfer requests must be received by email to education@gpcanada.org.

  .

  Show details
• Governance Ethics session: Ethics, When Absolute Right and Wrong Don’t Apply

  • When
    10 Nov 2021
  •  
    10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (EST)
  • Location
    Webinar (EST)

  Register

  As media reports on public sector financial scandals makes it very clear, ethics need to be at the heart and soul of every governance and HR decision. With the speed at which information is delivered through social media, news can quickly proliferate and, as a result, judgement can make or break a reputation in a short period of time. In time where COVID-19, diversity and equity are at the heart of every decisions, the challenge for executives is being ethical in a world where guidelines for behaviors are being consistently blurred such that absolute right and wrong no longer seem to apply.

  This session will address how executives can be ethical in a corrupt environment, and how they should frame their ethical behavior, in a way that resonates with as wide a network of ethically sensitive stakeholders as possible.

  

  Marc Tassé 
  Corporate Ethics and Financial Crimes Expert
  

  (Click on the speaker's name to see his biography.)

  
  

  
  

  Show details
• Applied Governance - Two and Half day Course

  • Start
    12 Nov 2021
  •  
    8:00 AM (EST)
  • End
    14 Nov 2021
  •  
    12:00 PM (EST)
  • Location
    Toronto, TBD

  Register

  Day 1

  Meeting Processes and AGMs

  The purpose of the session is to provide the tools for holding successful meetings – the ultimate decision-making process for all organizations including:

  • The legal and regulatory requirements for Board, committee and shareholder or member meetings
  • Tools and processes for organizing and holding successful and effective meetings
  • The special nature of shareholder and member meetings and best practices

  Financial Literacy for the Non-Financial Governance Professional

  The purpose of this module is to help give you an understanding of business finance, and the role of the Board, Audit Committee, Auditors and the Governance Professional in the preparation, presentation and analysis of financial information.

  Participants will develop an understanding with respect to:

  • Accounting terms and the significance and relevance of financial information
  • The budgeting process including the fundamentals of preparing and mastering budgets
  • Basic concepts underlying the preparation and presentation of financial statements
  • Controls and policies that help ensure accuracy and reliability of accounting systems

  Day 2 (Full Day)

  Minutes and Minutes Management

  The purpose of the session is to provide the tools for preparing minutes that protect the organization and its directors – with the objective of evidencing the due-diligence of the Board in its decision-making processes.

  Participants will explore the following topics in depth:

  • The legal and regulatory requirements for minutes
  • Tools and processes for implementing and maintaining effective minutes
  • Best practice minute taking, preparation and maintenance procedures
  • Records Management

  Day 3

  Carefully Crafting Bylaws to Enable Sound Governance

  In this session, the use of bylaws as an importance foundation of sound governance will be explained, including their sources of content and drafting considerations. Participants will explore the following topics in depth:

  • The direct role of bylaws in supporting many facets of governance
  • The typical topics found in bylaws and various approaches to deciding their content
  • How to research which sources of information when crafting bylaws

  
  Cancellation and Refund Policy:
  

  If canceling the program in its entirety outside of 2 months prior to taking your first course, the program fee will be refunded with a cancellation penalty of $500. If canceling the program within 3 weeks of taking your first course, the program fee will be refunded with a cancellation penalty of $1,000. If cancellation occurs during or after the first module has been started, there will be no further refunds. Companies or individuals may transfer their registration to another individual only if cancellation occurs prio

  r to taking the first course only or individuals may be able to transfer their registration to another individual only if cancellation occurs prior to taking the first of the 3 courses only. All cancellations or transfer requests must be received by email to education@gpcanada.org.

  Show details
• Governance 101: an introduction to organizational governance (Winter Session)

  • Start
    17 Nov 2021
  •  
    10:00 AM (EST)
  • End
    18 Nov 2021
  •  
    4:00 PM (EST)
  • Location
    Webinar
  • Spaces left
    20

  Register

  COURSE  OVERVIEW

  This 2-day intensive workshop will be launched as a virtual course, as a pre-cursor to our GPC Education program. In this course, participants will gain basic exposure to the subject matter of governance.

  The ideal audience for this course includes the following:

  ·       Individuals who are new to their role

  ·       People with junior positions in their organizations with some governance functions

  ·       Individuals in administrative positions attending to governance processes

  ·       Boards or more senior governance professionals may also not have had a proper introduction to the subject matter

  COURSE OBJECTIVES

  The objectives of the course are as follows:

  1.      Focus on individuals who have little or no knowledge of governance but could be:  

  ·       Joining a NFP board for the first time

  ·       Executive assistant being asked to take notes at board or management meetings

  ·       In process of accepting or moving into a position related to organizational governance

  ·       Individuals wanting to position themselves for a position related to governance

  2.     Provide access to a training program that is financially accessible

  3.     Provide an intensive 2-day session that fulfills knowledge requirements in a brief time.

  4.      To be a critical component of a planned ‘Governance in a Box’ concept which will consist of the 2-day workshop, a Glossary of Terms, and an on-line tool to provide access to the documents, forms, templates and best practices needed for establishing an effective governance framework for various kinds of organizations.

  
  

  LEARNING OBJECTIVES

  1.     Understand what governance means, and how it looks the same and different for various kinds of organizations

  2.     Understand the key principles of governance: accountability, transparency, independence, participation and predictability

  3.     Learn about the different structures that underpin the governance of an organization: by-laws, board of directors, committees,

  4.     Learn about the decision-making process for organizations through meetings, resolutions, minutes, board/management relationships

  5.     Understand the nature of the organization’s relationships with various stakeholders: the difference between shareholders and members; why understanding stakeholder needs is a key governance function.

  
  

  WORKSHOP OUTLINE

  Day 1  - Understanding Governance Basics

  Morning Session

  ·       What is governance: essential terms and definitions

  ·       We ‘build’ the governance structure based on the organization’s purpose;

  ·       Structure consists of the legal entity choice – essential ‘plumbing’ in by-laws – board – committee –

  ·       5 key Governance Principles described

  ·       Breakout exercises to understand how principles get put into practice

  
  

  Afternoon Session

  ·       Strengthening structure for better decisions

  ·       By-laws

  ·       Boards

  ·       Committees

  ·       Dividing the work/responsibilities – Board and management

  ·       What do directors really do? Their duties and responsibilities

  ·       Breakout sessions: 

  1.     What are the advantages and disadvantages of a ‘big’ board? 

  2.     Why do people join boards of directors?  

  3.     Should employees always have a seat in the boardroom?

  
  

  Day 2  - The Key Tools for good governance

  Morning Session

  •       The role of the corporate secretary/governance professional

  •       Effective meetings: what, why, who and how

  •       AGMs Special meetings, board and committee meetings

  •       Key tools 

  •       Getting the right board: composition, terms, orientation

  •       And keeping it effective: training and evaluations

  
  

  Afternoon Session

  •   Meeting minutes

  ·       What are corporations are worrying about:

  ·       CSR/ESG/Triple Bottom Line/Sustainability – all explained

  ·       CEO compensation – what is the issue?

  ·       Diversity and inclusion – what is the issue?

  ·       Breakout session:  What is your organization worrying about?

  
  

  

  
  

  Janis Riven, BCL, LLB, MBA, FCIS,

  Acc. Dir., Principal

  governance & compliance solutions

  
  

  (Click on the speaker's name to see her biography.)

  
  

  Show details
• Meetings, Minutes and Running Effective Board Meetings

  • When
    01 Dec 2021
  •  
    1:00 PM - 4:30 PM (EST)
  • Location
    Webinar (EST)

  Register

  Meetings, Minutes and Running Effective Board Meetings is brought to you by Diligent. This session outlines statutory and common law rules in relation to meetings of directors, members, managed investment schemes, class meetings and meetings of creditors. This workshop provides guidance on good governance practices for the notice, planning and conduct of meetings and examines legal and regulatory requirements for procedures in relation to minutes and running effective board meetings.

  This workshop is an interactive half-day gaining insight on both the practical and legal requirements you need to be aware of when holding meetings, taking minutes, recording procedures, guiding directors, preparing resolutions and managing circumstances such as conflicts of interest.

  Topic Covered:

  • Minutes Fundamentals
  • Briefing Materials
  • Legalities; Rules & Regulations
  • Actions & Resolutions
  • In-Camera Meetings
  • ... and more

  Session Agenda

  • 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm Welcome
  • 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm Presentation (working BREAK at approximately 3:30 pm)
  • 4:30 pm - Workshop Concludes

  March 2020 Cancellation Policy

  Speaker

  

  John Dinner
  President, John T. Dinner Board Governance Services

  (Click on the speaker's name to see his biography.)

  Event Sponsor:

  

  
  

  Show details
• Strategic Governance (Toronto) - Two and Half day Course

  • Start
    03 Dec 2021
  •  
    8:00 AM (EST)
  • End
    05 Dec 2021
  •  
    12:00 PM (EST)
  • Location
    ONLINE
  • Spaces left
    17

  Register

  Day 1

  Risk and the Governance Professional

  The purpose of the session is to provide the introductory basics, with selected corresponding tools, to introduce the Governance Professional to two key elements of Risk Management:

  • Enterprise Risk Management- An introduction to the “Mechanics of ERM”
  • Commercial Insurance to protect the Organization and its Directors & Officers

   The role of the Governance Professional in Board Strategy

  • Governing Principles
  • Best Practices
  • Practical Tools
  • Implementation Skills

  Day 2
  

  Sustainability, ESG, Corporate Purpose, and the Role of the Board

  • Governing Principles
  • Best Practices
  • Practical Tools
  • Implementation Skill

  Advanced Financial Fundamentals

  • Governing Principles
  • Best Practices
  • Practical Tools
  • Implementation Skills 
    

  Day 3

  Ethics
  

  • Governing Principles
  • Best Practices
  • Practical Tools
  • Implementation Skills 

  Cancellation and Refund Policy:

  If canceling the program in its entirety outside of 2 months prior to taking your first course, the program fee will be refunded with a cancellation penalty of $500. If canceling the program within 3 weeks of taking your first course, the program fee will be refunded with a cancellation penalty of $1,000. If cancellation occurs during or after the first module has been started, there will be no further refunds. Companies or individuals may transfer their registration to another individual only if cancellation occurs prior to taking the first course only or individuals may be able to transfer their registration to another individual only if cancellation occurs prior to taking the first of the 3 courses only. All cancellations or transfer requests must be received by email to education@gpcanada.org.

  Show details
• Foundations of Governance - Two and Half day Course

  • Start
    14 Jan 2022
  •  
    8:00 AM (EST)
  • End
    16 Jan 2022
  •  
    12:00 PM (EST)
  • Location
    ONLINE
  • Spaces left
    21

  Register

  The Foundations of Governance Course consists of two and a half days covering key areas of governance, which include: the role of the governance professional, director management, advising the board, board dynamics, effectiveness, culture, relationships and conflicts.

  Within each of these areas, practitioners in governance will take a thorough look at central elements of practice and how to navigate difficult situations, apply best practices and important tools in the day to day running of a governance office. This course is a comprehensive view of the key foundations and practice of governance, and essential for professionals both seasoned and new to the role. 

  Program:

  Day 1 - Core of Governance and the role of the governance professional

  This session sets out the expectations and growing role and responsibilities of the Governance Professional.  It will examine the legal commonalities and differences among various kinds of organizations and how they impact oversight, strategic and operational functions.

  Participants will explore the following topics in depth:

  • What is a Governance Professional – Job description
  • The legal, regulatory and public policy basis of governance for not-for-profits, state-owned organizations, private and public corporations;
  • How the principles of accountability, transparency and independence can be practiced effectively in different organizational contexts;
  • Practical tools for developing effective governance practices under different organizational cultures
  • Legal Entities/structures (differences and similarities)
  • Duty of the corporate secretary
  • Director responsibilities, Mandate and fiduciary duties
  • Regulators and Laws
  • NFPs, Crowns, Co-ops, partnerships
  • Officers (role of CEO, Directors, CO), D&O Liability and Integrity agreements
  • Ethics, confidentiality , privacy, Conflicts of Interest, up-the-ladder reporting duties
  • Accountability, Transparency, Independence
  • Policy Management
  • Monitoring governance best practices sponsored by stakeholders

  Day 2 – Director Management – Driving Board Effectiveness throughout the Director Life Cycle

  The purpose of the session is to provide the tools for developing critical processes to enhance Board effectiveness from before directors join the Board, through their tenure and until they leave – with the objective of improving the Board’s decision-making processes

  Participants will explore the following topics in depth:

  • The legal, regulatory and best practice requirements for key director processes
  • The role of the Governance Professional in supporting and encouraging good governance practices with regard to recruiting, orienting, education, evaluating and removing directors

  Board Committees Framework

  The purpose of this session is to provide information on the tools and framework for the purpose of committees, relationship to the board, roles and responsibilities, board delegation along with committee rights and authority.

  Participants will explore the following topics in depth:

  Committee focus and work

  • Types of Committees
  • Committee mandate template
  • Committee reporting process and template
  • Structuring the Committee

  Day 3 – Soft Skills – Managing and Influencing Board Dynamics, Culture, Relationships & Conflicts

  Boardroom dynamics have a significant yet largely unrecognized impact on good governance.  The governance professional has a critical role in supporting their board in fostering a more conducive boardroom culture by mastering the required soft skills to do so.

  Faculty:

  • Janis Riven, BCL, LLB, MBA, FCIS, Acc.Dir (bio)

  • Heather Laxton, Chief Governance Officer & Corporate Secretary, Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd. (bio)

  • John Dinner, President, John T. Dinner Board Governance Services (bio)

  Important Note:

  This Event is one of three courses that make up the full GPC-EP education program and which leads to the GPC.D (Governance Professionals of Canada Designation). 

  You have the option to register and attend this event without committing to the full Education program, however, you will not be eligible to the professional designation (GPC.D), unless you complete all 3 modules as well as their individual exams and the final evaluation. 
  

  Participants who are registered for the Education program (GPC-EP) will be required to write an exam after the completion of this module. 
  

  If you wish to enroll in the entire designation program to obtain the GPC.D designation (and save on the cost of the entire program), you can change your registration here: Education program on this link.

  
  Cancellation and Refund Policy:
  

  If canceling the program in its entirety outside of 2 months prior to taking your first course, the program fee will be refunded with a cancellation penalty of $500. If canceling the program within 3 weeks of taking your first course, the program fee will be refunded with a cancellation penalty of $1,000. If cancellation occurs during or after the first module has been started, there will be no further refunds. Companies or individuals may transfer their registration to another individual only if cancellation occurs prior to taking the first course only or individuals may be able to transfer their registration to another individual only if cancellation occurs prior to taking the first of the 3 courses only. All cancellations or transfer requests must be received by email to education@gpcanada.org.

  .

  Show details
• Emotional Intelligence for the Governance Professional

  • When
    27 Jan 2022
  •  
    1:00 PM - 4:00 PM (EST)
  • Location
    Webinar (EST)

  Register

  Introduction and Setting the Scene / Objectives /Agenda (1-1.10)

  Governance Professional – An evolving role and the Crucial impact of soft skills for success (1.10-1.20)

  • Going Beyond the technical in the role
  • How to effectively act as a bridge for Boards and management
  • Clarifying expectations and creating a roadmap for successful relationships
  • Navigating difficult situations

  Developing the role as an influencer and advisor (1.20-1.35)

  • Focusing on communication skills / ability to articulate ideas
  • Speaking the same language as senior management and the Board
  • Relationship building and developing your profile as a trusted advisor
  • Mediating confrontational situations or difficult people
  • Building resilience, assertiveness, and strength of character
  • Creating and fostering trust

  Breakout Session (1.35-1.50)

  • A time of 10 minutes will be allotted for discussion and 5 minutes for presenting ideas
  • In your breakout groups, consider some of the strategies you can employ in your workplace to develop your influence.

  Self-awareness and self-management (1.50 – 2.10)

  • Self-inventory – strengths and weaknesses
  • Exhibiting model behaviours
  • Growth and learning mindset
  • Organizational Awareness

  Conflict Resolution and Dealing with Difficult Board members (2.10 – 2.30)

  •  Assertiveness
  • Role as a mediator
  • Transparency and integrity

  Break for 5 minutes (2.30 – 2.35)

  • A time of 10 minutes will be allotted for discussion and 5 minutes for presenting ideas
  • In your breakout groups work on a Case Study of a difficult Board Chair – role play / discuss coping strategies

  
  

  Building Resilience (2.50 – 3.10)

  • Staying focused and motivated
  • Agility and flexibility
  • Dealing with conflicting demands in dual reporting situations

  Fostering Trust (3.10 – 3.30)

  • Ethics and difficult judgment calls
  • Confidentiality
  • Sensitivity and objectivity
  • Empowering the Board

  Group Discussion / Video (3.30 – 3.40)

  The Governance Professional as a Leader and Coach (3.40-3.55)

  • Importance of empathy and how to develop this skill
  • Active listening techniques
  • Creating a strong team through EQ
  • Role model for behaviour and values

  Summary, final thoughts and action steps (3.55-4.00)

  March 2020 Cancellation Policy

  Speaker

  
  

  Paul Dubal
  Founder, Perfect Balance Consulting

  (Please click on the name of the speaker to read his biography.)

  
  

  Show details
• Applied Governance - Two and Half day Course

  • Start
    04 Feb 2022
  •  
    8:30 AM (EST)
  • End
    06 Feb 2022
  •  
    12:00 PM (EST)
  • Location
    ONLINE
  • Spaces left
    20

  Register

  Day 1

  Meeting Processes and AGMs

  The purpose of the session is to provide the tools for holding successful meetings – the ultimate decision-making process for all organizations including:

  • The legal and regulatory requirements for Board, committee and shareholder or member meetings
  • Tools and processes for organizing and holding successful and effective meetings
  • The special nature of shareholder and member meetings and best practices

  Financial Literacy for the Non-Financial Governance Professional

  The purpose of this module is to help give you an understanding of business finance, and the role of the Board, Audit Committee, Auditors and the Governance Professional in the preparation, presentation and analysis of financial information.

  Participants will develop an understanding with respect to:

  • Accounting terms and the significance and relevance of financial information
  • The budgeting process including the fundamentals of preparing and mastering budgets
  • Basic concepts underlying the preparation and presentation of financial statements
  • Controls and policies that help ensure accuracy and reliability of accounting systems

  Day 2 (Full Day)

  Minutes and Minutes Management

  The purpose of the session is to provide the tools for preparing minutes that protect the organization and its directors – with the objective of evidencing the due-diligence of the Board in its decision-making processes.

  Participants will explore the following topics in depth:

  • The legal and regulatory requirements for minutes
  • Tools and processes for implementing and maintaining effective minutes
  • Best practice minute taking, preparation and maintenance procedures
  • Records Management

  Day 3

  Carefully Crafting Bylaws to Enable Sound Governance

  In this session, the use of bylaws as an importance foundation of sound governance will be explained, including their sources of content and drafting considerations. Participants will explore the following topics in depth:

  • The direct role of bylaws in supporting many facets of governance
  • The typical topics found in bylaws and various approaches to deciding their content
  • How to research which sources of information when crafting bylaws

  
  Cancellation and Refund Policy:
  

  If canceling the program in its entirety outside of 2 months prior to taking your first course, the program fee will be refunded with a cancellation penalty of $500. If canceling the program within 3 weeks of taking your first course, the program fee will be refunded with a cancellation penalty of $1,000. If cancellation occurs during or after the first module has been started, there will be no further refunds. Companies or individuals may transfer their registration to another individual only if cancellation occurs prio

  r to taking the first course only or individuals may be able to transfer their registration to another individual only if cancellation occurs prior to taking the first of the 3 courses only. All cancellations or transfer requests must be received by email to education@gpcanada.org.

  Show details
• Carefully Crafting Bylaws: How to Proactively Simplify Governance

  • When
    17 Feb 2022
  •  
    1:00 PM - 4:30 PM (EST)
  • Location
    Webinar
  • Spaces left
    24

  Register

  If governance is seen as the sum of processes and structures put in place to maximize the success of an organization, while ensuring compliance with its legislative and regulatory obligations, then Bylaws should be the first place where to carefully embed sound governance practices.
  When optimized on a continuous basis, bylaws can help an organization thrive and prevent problems from becoming unmanageable. In this session, participants will review how custom bylaws are crafted to help an organization operating in a complex context to grow and thrive.

  OBJECTIVES / KEY DELIVERABLES

  1. Know what is the key content of bylaws
  2. Assess the merits of being specific v. general when drafting bylaws
  3. Understand the Bylaws content in relation to Directors, Officers, Meetings and more

  SPEAKER:
  

    

  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  PATRICK CORMIER

  Chief Operations, Financial & Legal Officer

  Digital Identity Laboratory of Canada

  (Please click on the speaker's name to see his biography.)

  
  

  
  

  Show details
• Strategic Governance - Two and Half day Course

  • Start
    04 Mar 2022
  •  
    8:00 AM (EST)
  • End
    06 Mar 2022
  •  
    12:00 PM (EST)
  • Location
    Toronto, TBD
  • Spaces left
    18

  Register

  Day 1

  Risk and the Governance Professional

  The purpose of the session is to provide the introductory basics, with selected corresponding tools, to introduce the Governance Professional to two key elements of Risk Management:

  • Enterprise Risk Management- An introduction to the “Mechanics of ERM”
  • Commercial Insurance to protect the Organization and its Directors & Officers

   The role of the Governance Professional in Board Strategy

  • Governing Principles
  • Best Practices
  • Practical Tools
  • Implementation Skills

  Day 2
  

  Sustainability, ESG, Corporate Purpose, and the Role of the Board

  • Governing Principles
  • Best Practices
  • Practical Tools
  • Implementation Skill

  Advanced Financial Fundamentals

  • Governing Principles
  • Best Practices
  • Practical Tools
  • Implementation Skills 
    

  Day 3

  Ethics
  

  • Governing Principles
  • Best Practices
  • Practical Tools
  • Implementation Skills 

  Cancellation and Refund Policy:

  If canceling the program in its entirety outside of 2 months prior to taking your first course, the program fee will be refunded with a cancellation penalty of $500. If canceling the program within 3 weeks of taking your first course, the program fee will be refunded with a cancellation penalty of $1,000. If cancellation occurs during or after the first module has been started, there will be no further refunds. Companies or individuals may transfer their registration to another individual only if cancellation occurs prior to taking the first course only or individuals may be able to transfer their registration to another individual only if cancellation occurs prior to taking the first of the 3 courses only. All cancellations or transfer requests must be received by email to education@gpcanada.org.

  Show details
• Foundations of Governance - Two and Half day Course

  • Start
    25 Mar 2022
  •  
    8:00 AM (PDT)
  • End
    27 Mar 2022
  •  
    12:00 PM (PDT)
  • Location
    Vancouver, TBD
  • Spaces left
    21

  Register

  The Foundations of Governance Course consists of two and a half days covering key areas of governance, which include: the role of the governance professional, director management, advising the board, board dynamics, effectiveness, culture, relationships and conflicts.

  Within each of these areas, practitioners in governance will take a thorough look at central elements of practice and how to navigate difficult situations, apply best practices and important tools in the day to day running of a governance office. This course is a comprehensive view of the key foundations and practice of governance, and essential for professionals both seasoned and new to the role. 

  Program:

  Day 1 - Core of Governance and the role of the governance professional

  This session sets out the expectations and growing role and responsibilities of the Governance Professional.  It will examine the legal commonalities and differences among various kinds of organizations and how they impact oversight, strategic and operational functions.

  Participants will explore the following topics in depth:

  • What is a Governance Professional – Job description
  • The legal, regulatory and public policy basis of governance for not-for-profits, state-owned organizations, private and public corporations;
  • How the principles of accountability, transparency and independence can be practiced effectively in different organizational contexts;
  • Practical tools for developing effective governance practices under different organizational cultures
  • Legal Entities/structures (differences and similarities)
  • Duty of the corporate secretary
  • Director responsibilities, Mandate and fiduciary duties
  • Regulators and Laws
  • NFPs, Crowns, Co-ops, partnerships
  • Officers (role of CEO, Directors, CO), D&O Liability and Integrity agreements
  • Ethics, confidentiality , privacy, Conflicts of Interest, up-the-ladder reporting duties
  • Accountability, Transparency, Independence
  • Policy Management
  • Monitoring governance best practices sponsored by stakeholders

  Day 2 – Director Management – Driving Board Effectiveness throughout the Director Life Cycle

  The purpose of the session is to provide the tools for developing critical processes to enhance Board effectiveness from before directors join the Board, through their tenure and until they leave – with the objective of improving the Board’s decision-making processes

  Participants will explore the following topics in depth:

  • The legal, regulatory and best practice requirements for key director processes
  • The role of the Governance Professional in supporting and encouraging good governance practices with regard to recruiting, orienting, education, evaluating and removing directors

  Board Committees Framework

  The purpose of this session is to provide information on the tools and framework for the purpose of committees, relationship to the board, roles and responsibilities, board delegation along with committee rights and authority.

  Participants will explore the following topics in depth:

  Committee focus and work

  • Types of Committees
  • Committee mandate template
  • Committee reporting process and template
  • Structuring the Committee

  Day 3 – Soft Skills – Managing and Influencing Board Dynamics, Culture, Relationships & Conflicts

  Boardroom dynamics have a significant yet largely unrecognized impact on good governance.  The governance professional has a critical role in supporting their board in fostering a more conducive boardroom culture by mastering the required soft skills to do so.

  Faculty:

  • Janis Riven, BCL, LLB, MBA, FCIS, Acc.Dir (bio)

  • Heather Laxton, Chief Governance Officer & Corporate Secretary, Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd. (bio)

  • John Dinner, President, John T. Dinner Board Governance Services (bio)

  Important Note:

  This Event is one of three courses that make up the full GPC-EP education program and which leads to the GPC.D (Governance Professionals of Canada Designation). 

  You have the option to register and attend this event without committing to the full Education program, however, you will not be eligible to the professional designation (GPC.D), unless you complete all 3 modules as well as their individual exams and the final evaluation. 
  

  Participants who are registered for the Education program (GPC-EP) will be required to write an exam after the completion of this module. 
  

  If you wish to enroll in the entire designation program to obtain the GPC.D designation (and save on the cost of the entire program), you can change your registration here: Education program on this link.

  
  Cancellation and Refund Policy:
  

  If canceling the program in its entirety outside of 2 months prior to taking your first course, the program fee will be refunded with a cancellation penalty of $500. If canceling the program within 3 weeks of taking your first course, the program fee will be refunded with a cancellation penalty of $1,000. If cancellation occurs during or after the first module has been started, there will be no further refunds. Companies or individuals may transfer their registration to another individual only if cancellation occurs prior to taking the first course only or individuals may be able to transfer their registration to another individual only if cancellation occurs prior to taking the first of the 3 courses only. All cancellations or transfer requests must be received by email to education@gpcanada.org.

  .

  Show details