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Education, Professional Development & Events

GPC's mission is to expand your learning opportunities and enhance your skill set as governance professionals. Our sessions are cross-country, local, in-person and where possible, by webinar. We also offer sessions that range by sector, skill level and trend. All of our upcoming events, national and local, can be found below. 

Upcoming Events

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

    • 01 Feb 2020
    • (EST)
    • 01 Feb 2022
    • (EST)
    • 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!

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  • Business Planning Boot Camp

    • 13 Aug 2020
    • 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (EDT)
    • Webinar
    Register

    The Business Planning Boot Camp is an intensive full day program which provides an in-depth overview of strategy and planning across all sectors and industries. Peter Wright of the Planning Group will take you through a mix of business planning training and workshop discussions to assist in thinking about your own organization's situation, and in optimizing its business planning process.

    After attending the Boot Camp, you will be able to start applying what you learned immediately to drive real results with your board and within your organization. Without dumbing it down, the Boot Camp boils down business strategy and planning to a series of systematic, understandable concepts. More importantly, the concepts are presented in a dovetailed fashion to align with the integration that must be present in a successful business planning process.

    The program will cover the following:

    • The integrated planning model
    • Your role in strategy and planning
    • The practical vision
    • Strategic imperatives
    • The planning / execution gap
    • Dynamic business planning
    • Introduction to project and action planning
    March 2020 Cancellation Policy

    About the Speaker

    Peter Wright
    President, The Planning Group

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


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  • GPC Ottawa Chapter Networking & Connecting Session

    • 17 Aug 2020
    • 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM (EDT)
    • GPC Zoom session Room
    Register

    How organizations are conveying their diversity strategy and actions with their board?

    reconnect on a virtual session with local members to continue our local conversation.

    You will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom session link once you RSVP for the event.

    See you soon!


    Show details

  • Applied Governance - Two and Half day Course

    • 21 Aug 2020
    • 8:00 AM (EDT)
    • 23 Aug 2020
    • 12:00 PM (EDT)
    • ONLINE
    • 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

  • Navigating Business Continuity and Recovery: What’s Next for Boards and Organizations?

    • 25 Aug 2020
    • 11:15 AM - 4:15 PM (EDT)
    • Webinar
    Register

    A NEW DATE  -  August 25, 2020

    GPC will be engaging with members of our GPC COVID-19 ADVISORY PANEL for their insights on how boards will need to shift their conversations, and where organizations have to focus their attention, as the next few months will bring more changes as recovery begins.


    Join us for this half-day event featuring four panel discussions and leading expert opinions on the following top of mind issues:

    Crisis and Risk Management for Boards – What’s Next?

    • Risk Management- what are the separate roles of Management and Board?
    • How do structured Enterprise Risk Management frameworks factor in crisis?
    • Business Continuity Planning- what is the boards role?
    • How should boards prepare for the next crisis? If not a pandemic, what else should boards prepare for?
    • Some key areas of board focus:
    • Systemic racism and a more equitable workplace?
    • Climate change
    • Data security and data use
    • Whistleblowing – Are your policies equipped for the rise in workplace activism?
    • D&O insurance and coverage in an age of pandemics and climate risk

    Re-Aligning Your Workforce and Workplace as COVID-19 Restrictions Ease

    • Impact of continued physical distancing and health related considerations
    • Addressing employee and customer health and safety
    • Balancing employee wellbeing and business needs
    • Managing teams remotely – beyond the crisis and into the long term
    • Worker re-employment challenges
    • Compensation considerations for executives and employees for 2020 and beyond

    Business strategy - How to Set Strategy in Uncertain Times

    • Oversight of strategy – how has the board’s role changed as a result of the pandemic?
    • What are the strategic planning priorities for boards looking post-COVID?
    • What role does Risk Management play in strategy?
    • How do we strategize when we have so much uncertainty?
    • Doing business in a changed world: new economic models, contingent suppliers, implications of transportation and logistics
    • Financing, lending and the new economic model – what are the liquidity implications for your business?
    • How should your organization’s strategy and business model respond to changes in customer/client needs and preferences?
    • How to re-engage with customers, clients, stakeholders

    Virtual Board Meetings, Virtual AGMs and Business ‘Not’ As Usual

    • How has the COVID situation disrupted how board meetings are run?
    • What are the best practices for managing the new ‘normal’ in board meetings?
    • What will board agendas look like going forward?
    • How to restructure Board strategy refresh and retreats – What works? What models?
    • Engaging with customers, clients, stakeholders virtually
    • A recap on virtual AGMs - what are the successes and lessons learned?

    Panel:

     Dr. Nita Chhinzer
    Associate Professor of Human Resources and Business Consulting, Department of Management, University of Guelph

    Judy Cotte LL.M
    CEO, ESG Global Advisors Inc

    		 Gigi Dawe
    Director, Corporate Oversight & Governance, Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada)



    Matt Fullbrook,
    Manager, David and Sharon Johnston Centre for Corporate Governance Innovation, Rotman School of Management
    		Joe German,
    Director, Strategic Partnerships, ClearView Strategic Partners Inc.    		 Andrew MacDougall
    Partner, Corporate, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP



     

    		 

    		 
    Stephen J. Mallory, ICD.D, FCIP, CRM
    President, Directors Global Risk Consulting Inc    		 Shona McGlashan
    Vice-President, Governance, Vancity    		 Margie Parikh, C.Dir. MBA, CFP Principal, On Governance Consulting, & Board Director



     

    		 

    		 
    Poonam Puri
    Professor, Affiliated scholar, Osgoode Hall Law School, Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP    		 Dottie Schindlinger
    Vice President of Thought Leadership, Diligent    		 Michelle Tan
    Partner, Hugessen Consulting



     
    		  

    		  

    		Jeremy Trickett
    Senior Vice-President and Chief Governance Officer
    Great-West Lifeco Inc.




    		 
    		  



    Sponsored By:

       

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

    • 27 Aug 2020
    • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM (EDT)
    • Webinar
    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

  • CEO Succession Planning: How Directors Can Raise their Game on the Board’s Single Most Important Governance Decision

    • 10 Sep 2020
    • 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM (EDT)
    • Webcast (EST)
    Register



    Selection of the Chief Executive Officer is any board’s most important decision.  But most boards don’t have the practices and diligence in place that they know they should around CEO succession planning.  Some are even wary about raising the topic - for fear that it will create tensions with the sitting CEO.  Others are still using CEO succession practices that are dated and deficient.  Many are overly reliant on search firms to “run their process” - essentially “outsourcing” the board’s most important decision.  But CEO succession is a critical facet of governance that the board needs to firmly control.  The key is knowing how – which, as corporate secretary, you can empower your board to do after this session.

    Key subjects will include:

    • Emergency CEO and Executive Succession Planning
      • A “top of mind issue” for most boards amidst COVID-19, this can be the gateway a long-term CEO succession planning discussion that many boards need to have but often put off, if their current CEO is top-notch.  However, making that happen requires the right approach on the development of an emergency succession plan – not just a name that people agree on.
    • Components of an Effective Long-Term CEO Succession Plan
      • Creating a workable CEO profile consistent with corporate strategy.  BTW, if that profile includes the term “leadership” it isn’t workable……..
      • Using third party executive assessments in due diligence on CEO candidates – including approaches other boards have used to select the best assessor to work with. Can these be used with both internal and external candidates – and if so, how?
      • Candidate interviews – designing the interview process to yield more useful insights.
      • CEO Succession Planning Roadmaps – the most useful tool any board can deploy to develop a comprehensive plan and then keep that plan largely on track, often for 2-3 years!
    March 2020 Cancellation Policy

    Speaker

    Bev Behan
    President, Board Advisor, LLC. 

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

    Show details

  • Governance in the New Decade: The Rise of Boardroom ESG

    • 14 Sep 2020
    • 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM (EDT)
    • Online
    Register

    Preparing Boards to address trends and systemic risks such as Pandemics, Climate Change, Racism and other ESG topics impacting Boards and their organizations.

    COVID-19, recognition of institutionalized racism and climate change are rapidly transforming organizations and board room dynamics. Boards and governance professionals need to equip themselves to understand the evolving expectations of boards as society hurtles through the 21st century.

    Get up to speed in this one-day deep dive with global thought leaders, experts and practitioners representing the full ecosystem around the board and governance professionals, in Canada and internationally.

    This program features a full day of expert panels and discussion designed for executives and professionals of all levels and organizations, and will address the following:

    • What is ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) and Climate Governance and how does this relate to the board’s role?
    • What lessons can boards learn from COVID-19 and the calls for racial justice and Indigenous reconciliation, to improve their governance of social and environmental trends and risks going forward?
    • What else is rising to the board agenda? What new issues are boards facing and why? What can we expect in the coming decade?
    • What are the legal, investor and business cases driving boards to adopt best practices in ESG and climate governance and oversight?
    • What should sustainability practitioners, governance professionals and corporate directors know about ESG and Climate Governance?
    • What practices should competent boards have in place to build ESG and Climate Governance in their organizations from the perspective of directors and corporate secretaries?
    • How is the rest of the world responding? What are international developments and perspectives on ESG Governance and the implications for Canadian governance?
    • How are capital markets making use of ESG information and how does it affect investor decision-making?

    Click here for the event flyer.

    Keynote Speaker:

    Wes Hall, ICD.D

    Executive Chairman, KSS Group of Companies


    Wes is Founder and Chairman of The Canadian Council of Business Leaders Against Anti-Black Systemic Racism and the BlackNorth Initiative, a council dedicated to holding corporations accountable for ending anti-Black racism in their organizations. He was also named one of Canada’s most powerful business people in 2016.


    Who should attend:

    This session is appropriate for any governance professional, board member or leader who has (or would like to have) a key role vis-a-vis their board’s oversight and accountability of ESG and climate risks. It is also relevant for investors, owners, and professionals involved in sustainability, CSR, risk, strategy, investor relations, or capital markets who seek to better understand and be on top of this trend.

    Speaker line-up includes:

    (click here for speaker bios)

    • Ravipal Bains, Associate, McMillan LLP
    • Kim Baird, Board Member
    • Helle Bank Jorgensen, CEO & Founder, Competent Boards Inc.
    • John Bell, Director, Strategic Planning, BC Housing
    • Stephanie Bertels, Director, Centre for Corporate Governance and Sustainability, SFU Beedie School of Business and Founder, Embedding Project
    • Jamie Bonham, Director, Corporate Engagement, NEI Investments
    • Blythe Clark, Engagement & Stewardship Analyst, Connor, Clark & Lunn Financial Group Ltd.
    • Jennifer Coulson, Vice President, ESG, Public Markets, BCI
    • Robin Cox, Professor School of Humanitarian Studies, Director, ResilienceByDesign Research Innovation Lab (RbD), Royal Roads University
    • Roopa Davé, Partner, Sustainability Services, KPMG
    • Michelle De Cordova, Principal, ESG Global Advisors
    • Wes Hall, Executive Chairman, KSS Group of Companies and Founder and Chair of The BlackNorth Initiative
    • Gary Hawton, Senior Director of Client Relations, Sustainalytics
    • Lisa Hayles, Investment Manager, Trillium
    • Argiro Kotsalis, Vice President, Legal and Chief Governance Officer, Vancouver Airport Authority
    • Carol Liao, Associate Professor, Peter A. Allard School of Law, University of British Columbia
    • Karina Litvack, Non-Executive Director, Eni S.p.A. and Founder/Executive Director of Chapter Zero
    • Will Martindale, Director of Policy & Research, PRI
    • Penny McIntyre, Corporate Director, PVH
    • Margie Parikh, Principal, On Governance Consulting, and Board Director
    • Ian Robertson, Vice President, Director, Portfolio Manager, Odlum Brown Limited and Chair of the Board, Responsible Investment Association
    • Shannon Rohan, Chief Strategy Officer, Shareholder Association for Research and Education (SHARE)
    • Dottie Schindlinger, Executive Director of the Diligent Institute, Diligent
    • Karyn Southgate, President, CSIA
    • Christie Stephenson, Executive Director, Peter P. Dhillon Centre for Business Ethics, UBC Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia
    • Coro Strandberg, President, Strandberg Consulting and GPC advisor on Sustainability Governance
    • Andrew Sweeney, Vice President & Portfolio Manager, PH&N Institutional, RBC Global Asset Management
    • Bob Walker, International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN)



    Event Sponsor:

    Event Partner: 


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  • Élaboration soignée de règlements : comment simplifier de manière proactive la gouvernance

    • 24 Sep 2020
    • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM (EDT)
    • Webcast (HNE)
    Register

    (This event will be presented in French.)

    La gouvernance assure le respect des obligations législatives et réglementaires. Si la gouvernance est considérée comme la somme des processus et des structures mis en place pour maximiser le succès d’une organisation, alors les règlements devraient être un des le premiers endroits où soigneusement élaborer et intégrer sonles structures et processus de gouvernance. Les règlements, optimisés de façon continue, peuvent vraiment aider une organisation à prospérer et empêcher à prévenir les scénario où les problèmes de l’organisation peuvent devenir ingérables. Au cours de cette session, les participants examineront comment les règlements administratifs personnalisés ont été élaborés pour aider un nouvel organisme à but non lucratif, soit une organisation opérant dans un contexte international complexe qui se développe et prospère.

    Objectifs :

    1.       Comprendre les éléments clés desu règlements administratifscorporatif.

    2.       Distinguer les clauses spécifiques et les clauses générales pour la rédaction du règlement.

    3.       Interpréter le contenu concernant les administrateursen relation des directeurs, les officiers, les réunions et autres sujets.

    Patrick Cormier

    Conférencier

    (Cliquez sur le nom du onférencier pour lire sa biographie.)


    Politique d'annulation des événements de Professionnels en gouvernance du Canada

    Le program du jour

    Parrainé par :


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  • Strategic Governance - Two and Half day Course - CLASS FULL. Wait list Only

    • 02 Oct 2020
    • 8:00 AM (EDT)
    • 04 Oct 2020
    • 12:00 PM (EDT)
    • ONLINE
    • 0

    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

    CSR, Sustainability and ESG 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

  • Corporate Governance Summit 2020

    • 06 Oct 2020
    • 9:00 AM (EDT)
    • 07 Oct 2020
    • 5:15 PM (EDT)
    • Virtual Event powered by vFairs & Zoom
    Register


    Our in-person annual conference, originally scheduled for August 23-26th 2020 in Kelowna BC, is moving to an Online Governance Summit on October 6th and 7th. But wait! This will not be just another video conference! We are taking this event to an innovative and mobile friendly platform which will stimulate a physical event with stunning virtual interactive spaces, and with unique navigation to make you feel like you are in a visually rich conference environment.

    We will also be hosting our regular annual trade show within our virtual space with customized exhibitor booths, on-demand content and demos, chat forums and online transaction capabilities for optimal sponsor engagement! We will make this conference an unforgettable experience for our attendees by enabling them to chat through audio, video or text messages. We will engage our audience with visuals in the form of live webinars, breakout sessions, resources such as videos, documents, and presentations, and will allow attendees to download or save information for future reference. 

    Why attend:

    • Our annual conference will still be full of rich content and offer a wide range of sessions, topics, expert speakers and practitioners
    • Our attendees will have the ability to connect at the event through 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 event with stunning virtual lobbies & interactive spaces
    • We will enable you to navigate the venue with ease in a visually rich environment that is mobile friendly and highly interactive. 
    • We will be able to reach a wider audience through our innovative virtual conference solution

    The two day event will fly by and you will not feel the dreaded ‘video conference’ syndrome as you attend this conference, either in real time or even later, as the virtual platform with all of the sessions and exhibitors will still be there for you to access any aspect you need after it has run! 

    Don't miss it!


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  • Subsidiary Governance: Creating an Effective Framework

    • 14 Oct 2020
    • 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (EDT)
    • The Albany Club 91 King Street East, Main Dining Room Toronto, ON M5C 1G3
    Register

    UPDATE: Due to the evolving situation surrounding COVID-19, we will be rescheduling our Subsidiary Governance: Creating an Effective Framework event. The new date is currently pending, but will likely be in November 2020. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. 

    Subsidiary governance has moved from an emerging area to one of increased global focus. Courts worldwide are demonstrating a willingness to entertain the idea of piercing the corporate veil for an evolving tort of human rights abuse.  Regulators are showing an increasing interest in parent company accountability and management liability for subsidiary oversight.  Parent company boards must find the right balance between the parent company’s need to set group strategy and coordinate group oversight, while respecting the legal duties of subsidiary directors. As businesses become more complex, a thoughtful and effective subsidiary governance framework is critical.

    Join some of the leading practitioners and academics for this important one day event, and learn more about how to build an effective subsidiary governance framework in your organization.

    Who should attend

    This one day conference will be of interest to you if you are a:

    • General counsel of a parent company  with subsidiaries
    • Legal counsel to a subsidiary entity
    • Compliance officer in a multi-entity organization
    • Executive on the board of a subsidiary company
    • Corporate secretary of a parent or subsidiary board
    • Comptroller or CFO responsible for inter-company transfers
    • Accountant responsible for tax planning
    • Internal or external auditor reviewing the internal controls of a multi-layered enterprise
    Click here for the event flyer.

    GPC Cancellation Policy

    Show details

  • Applied Governance - Two and Half day Course

    • 23 Oct 2020
    • 10:30 AM (EDT)
    • 25 Oct 2020
    • 2:00 PM (EDT)
    • 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

    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 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 - Toronto

    • 05 Nov 2020
    • 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM (EST)
    • 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

    • 8:00 am - 8:30 am Welcome
    • 8:30 am - 1:00 pm Presentation (working BREAK at 10:30 am)
    • 1:00 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:


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  • Strategic Governance - Two and Half day Course

    • 13 Nov 2020
    • 8:00 AM (EST)
    • 15 Nov 2020
    • 12:00 PM (EST)
    • ONLINE
    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.

    Participants will explore the following topics in depth:

    • 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

      In the session, you will understand the range of your potential role in board strategy and to gain skills to map out your role with your board.


      Participants will explore the following topics in depth:

      • Background and guidelines for learning
      • Board role in strategy
      • Governance professional continuum of involvement in strategy

        Day 2*

        CSR, Sustainability and ESG and the role of the Board

        This session will equip governance professionals to ensure boards have effective practices in sustainability oversight.


        Participants will explore the following topics in depth:

        • Sustainability drivers, trends, risks and opportunities for organizational success
        • Board best practices in sustainability oversight and the role of the governance professional

        Advanced Financial Fundamentals

        The purpose of this session will be t provide an overview of annual financial reporting cycle.

        Participants will explore the following topics in depth:

        • Financial decision making – including financing decisions, investment decisions, liquidity and working capital decisions and dividend decisions (liquidity test etc.)
        • How finance touches the various functional groups in the organization, HR, IT etc.
        • Key performance indicators
        • A deep dive on internal auditing - exploring the work of internal audit and how it can benefit the organization
        • MD&A (requirement for Boards to review, general disclosure principles)
        • Overview on ratio and financial analysis - how it can be used to monitor performance/liquidity especially when compared to prior periods
        • Overview on materiality
        • New auditor's report – significant

         


          Day 3*

          Ethics

          The purpose of this course is to ensure that governance professionals provide effective governance in their organization. This cannot exist unless Board members fulfil their roles and responsibilities with the highest standards of conduct.

          Participants will explore the following key points in depth:

          • Ethics, Dignity and Loyalty
          • Practical Tools
          • Code of Conduct
          • Whistleblower Policies and Programs
          • Conflicts of Interest
          • Entertainment, Gifts, Preferential Treatment
          • Implementation Skills: Case Studies
          *  Goverance Professionals of Canada (GPC) reserves the right to switch sessions, change start/end times and change faculty. 

          Cancellation and Refund Policy:

           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 (EDT) - Two and Half day Course

          • 27 Nov 2020
          • 8:00 AM (EST)
          • 29 Nov 2020
          • 12:00 PM (EST)
          • ONLINE
          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

        • Foundations of Governance - Two and Half day Course

          • 15 Jan 2021
          • 8:30 AM (EST)
          • 17 Jan 2021
          • 12:00 PM (EST)
          • ONLINE
          • 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

        • Applied Governance - Two and Half day Course

          • 05 Feb 2021
          • 8:30 AM (EST)
          • 07 Feb 2021
          • 12:00 PM (EST)
          • ONLINE
          • 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

        • Strategic Governance (Vancouver) - Two and Half day Course

          • 05 Mar 2021
          • 8:00 AM (EST)
          • 07 Mar 2021
          • 12:00 PM (EST)
          • Coast Coal Harbour Vancouver Hotel by APA, 1180 W Hastings St. Vancouver, BC V6E4R5
          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

          CSR, Sustainability and ESG 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

          • 26 Mar 2021
          • 7:30 AM (EDT)
          • 28 Mar 2021
          • 11:00 AM (EDT)
          • Toronto, TBD
          • 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

        • Applied Governance - Two and Half day Course

          • 23 Apr 2021
          • 8:00 AM (EDT)
          • 25 Apr 2021
          • 12:00 PM (EDT)
          • 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

        • Strategic Governance - Two and Half day Course

          • 14 May 2021
          • 8:00 AM (EDT)
          • 17 May 2021
          • 12:00 PM (EDT)
          • Toronto, TBD
          • 20
          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

          CSR, Sustainability and ESG 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

          • 25 Jun 2021
          • 8:00 AM (PDT)
          • 27 Jun 2021
          • 12:30 PM (PDT)
          • Vancouver, TBD
          • 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

        • Applied Governance - Two and Half day Course

          • 10 Sep 2021
          • 8:00 AM (PDT)
          • 12 Sep 2021
          • 12:00 PM (PDT)
          • Vancouver, 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

        • Strategic Governance - Two and Half day Course

          • 01 Oct 2021
          • 8:00 AM (PDT)
          • 03 Oct 2021
          • 12:00 PM (PDT)
          • Vancouver, TBD
          • 20
          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

          CSR, Sustainability and ESG 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

          • 29 Oct 2021
          • 8:00 AM (EDT)
          • 31 Oct 2021
          • 12:00 PM (EDT)
          • Toronto, TBD
          • 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

        • Applied Governance - Two and Half day Course

          • 12 Nov 2021
          • 8:00 AM (EST)
          • 14 Nov 2021
          • 12:00 PM (EST)
          • 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

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

          • 03 Dec 2021
          • 8:00 AM (EST)
          • 05 Dec 2021
          • 12:00 PM (EST)
          • ONLINE
          • 20
          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

          CSR, Sustainability and ESG 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

          • 14 Jan 2022
          • 8:00 AM (EST)
          • 16 Jan 2022
          • 12:00 PM (EST)
          • ONLINE
          • 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

        • Applied Governance - Two and Half day Course

          • 04 Feb 2022
          • 8:30 AM (EST)
          • 06 Feb 2022
          • 12:00 PM (EST)
          • ONLINE
          • 21
          Register