Non-profit Advisors Program

Join Michelle Laurie for a 90- minute interactive virtual training session focused on designing and facilitating effective meetings. The session will be geared toward novice-intermediate facilitators and meeting hosts.

Michelle Laurie brings 25 years of experience supporting corporate, government, and community partners in environment, sustainability, and organizational development. She specializes in designing and leading collaborative processes that foster strategic thinking, learning, and tangible results. She has trained thousands of leaders around the world to improve their facilitation, engagement and communication skills. Michelle is a Certified Professional Facilitator and founder of Convene Consulting Inc.

Speaker: Michelle Laurie
Date: October 21, 2026
Time: 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm PT

This webinar provides a practical overview of the legal duties and responsibilities of directors of non-profit organizations. Attendees will learn about fiduciary obligations, the duty of care, conflicts of interest, governance best practices, and strategies to manage risk while supporting effective board decision-making. The session is designed to help directors better understand their role and fulfill their responsibilities with confidence.

Presenter Jonathan Arkle is a lawyer with Doak Shirreff Lawyers LLP in Kelowna and specializes in employment and human resource law. 

The information shared during this webinar is for educational purposes and is not considered legal advice or guidance.

Speaker: Jonathan Arkle
Date: November 5, 2026
Time: 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm PT

Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/-P-aBRiPSmSQrPCueMIvZw

This webinar will help you understand how to use short-form video to increase awareness of your organisation, share your story, and engage your community. Video is one of the most powerful tools on social media today, and this session will guide you in creating content that feels authentic while driving results for your non-profit.

Experienced marketing and communications professional Zan Comerford will show you how to create video strategies that connect with your audience and motivate them to take action aligned with your mission. You’ll learn how to use video effectively on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook, from storytelling techniques to technical best practices. Real-world examples from non-profits will be shared, and there will be time to address questions specific to your organization.

Zan Comerford brings over a decade of experience helping live events, small businesses, and non-profits across Canada, the U.S., and Europe stand out online.

Speaker: Zan Comerford
Date: November 17, 2026
Time: 9:30 am to 11:00 am PT

Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/yF88RLnrT66OP9TNZfUQKg

Volunteers are the heart of many nonprofit organizations but finding and keeping great volunteers can be a challenge. This interactive, in-person workshop offers practical strategies and proven practices to strengthen your volunteer program. Whether you’re building your volunteer base or looking to energize your existing team, you’ll walk away with practical tools and new ideas that can take your volunteer engagement to the next level.

While this workshop is focused on volunteerism, we will also discuss how many of these practices apply to recruiting and retaining staff. Ideal for: Non-profit staff, volunteer coordinators, board members, and community organizers.

Kelvin Saldern has spent over 25 years working with nonprofits, local governments, and grassroots groups all across BC. He’s a community development consultant and effective facilitator (and an active volunteer board member) who’s passionate about helping organizations thrive, especially when it comes to things like strategic planning, board development and volunteer engagement. Kelvin brings a practical, hands-on approach to his workshops, along with a friendly and inclusive style that makes it easy to learn and participate.

November 7, 2026

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm PT

Prestige Mountain Resort Rossland

1919 Columbia Ave Rossland BC V0G 1Y0

Register Now: https://forms.ourtrust.org/npa-workshop-registration-electronic-form/

This workshop helps non-profit staff and board members understand their roles in bookkeeping, financial reporting, and financial oversight. Participants will learn how to prepare and interpret key financial statements and use them to build realistic and effective operating budgets. We will cover how to create, manage, and monitor budgets for overall operations, projects, and grant-funded activities. The session emphasizes why well-built budgets are essential for accountability, decision-making, and long-term sustainability.

Joleen is based in Nakusp, British Columbia, and has over 20 years of professional experience providing bookkeeping services to small businesses, non-profit organizations, and registered charities. Over the course of her career, she has developed comprehensive expertise in payroll administration, financial reporting, and grant reporting. In addition to Joleen’s professional practice, she has held multiple roles within the non-profit sector, including director, treasurer, employee, and contracted service provider. These experiences have provided her with a thorough understanding of both organizational operations and governance responsibilities.

November 7, 2026

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm PT

Prestige Mountain Resort Rossland

1919 Columbia Ave Rossland BC V0G 1Y0

Register Now: https://forms.ourtrust.org/npa-workshop-registration-electronic-form/

Planning for the transition of staff and volunteers is an important part of every group’s job, especially for the board. However, all too often resources focus on large operations with infrastructure and support staff. What about smaller organizations, with few or no staff, and limited support? This session will cover practical tips to make succession planning easier and achievable for all sizes of non-profits, so it becomes part of ongoing practice.

Val Mayes has been working in the field of community development for over 40 years. She has a Masters in Adult Education from the University of Alberta and has worked with a wide range of organizations, teaching sessions on leadership, risk management, board development, working with volunteers, and other topics relevant to nonprofit and community-based groups. Through her consulting business Building Connections Training and Consulting (established 2001) Val has helped multiple groups with planning, decision-making and working collaboratively to achieve shared goals.

November 7, 2026

10:00 am – 12:00 pm PT

Prestige Mountain Resort Rossland

1919 Columbia Ave Rossland BC V0G 1Y0

Register Now: https://forms.ourtrust.org/npa-workshop-registration-electronic-form/

This workshop provides a practical overview of payroll for non-profit organizations, including employer requirements, mandatory deductions, payroll remittances, Records of Employment, and year-end reporting such as T4 and T4A slips. Participants will learn the basics of calculating, filing, and reporting payroll accurately and confidently.

Joleen is based in Nakusp, British Columbia, and has over 20 years of professional experience providing bookkeeping services to small businesses, non-profit organizations, and registered charities. Over the course of her career, she has developed comprehensive expertise in payroll administration, financial reporting, and grant reporting. In addition to Joleen’s professional practice, she has held multiple roles within the non-profit sector, including director, treasurer, employee, and contracted service provider. These experiences have provided her with a thorough understanding of both organizational operations and governance responsibilities.

November 7, 2026

10:00 am – 12:00 pm PT

Prestige Mountain Resort Rossland

1919 Columbia Ave Rossland BC V0G 1Y0

Register Now: https://forms.ourtrust.org/npa-workshop-registration-electronic-form/

Webinar: Part 1

Webinar: Part 2

Webinar Notes: Part 1

Webinar Notes: Part 2

Workbook

Webinar: Part 1

Webinar: Part 2

Webinar Notes: Part 1

Webinar Notes: Part 2

Workbook

Webinar: Part 1

Webinar: Part 2

Webinar Notes: Part 1

Webinar Notes: Part 2

Workbook

Webinar: Part 1

Webinar: Part 2

Webinar Notes: Part 1

Webinar Notes: Part 2

Workbook

Webinar: Part 1

Webinar: Part 2

Webinar Notes: Part 1

Webinar Notes: Part 2

Workbook

Webinar: Part 1

Webinar: Part 2

Webinar Notes: Part 1

Webinar Notes: Part 2

Workbook

Information Systems

• Why Your Non-profit Needs a Strategic IT Plan
• Your Complete Guide to Google for Nonprofits

Knowledge Management

• Organizational Systems Checklist
• Policy Development Overview
• Sample Policies and Role Descriptions

Communications

• Webinar from TechSoup: Using social media and other tools to build community engagement
• Building a Strong Nonprofit Brand
• Creating a Communications Plan
• How to Create a Media Kit

Membership

• Engaging and Retaining Members
• Recruiting New Members

Partnerships/collaborations

• Positive Collaborations (Webinar)

• College of the Rockies
• Selkirk College
• Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance
• Government of Alberta: Non-Profit Resources

• Get Cyber Safe
• Information Security Awareness
• Security Awareness Training | KnowBe4
• TechSoup

Approvals/Monitoring

• Guide and Template for Fiscal Policies and Procedures

Budgeting

• Toolkit to Finding the True Cost of Programs

• Beginners Guide to Fundraising
• Fundraising Management and Policies
• Naming Opportunities for Capital

Advisory Council

• Advisory Council Roles
• Recruiting Advisory Board

Board Committees

• Committee Terms of Reference
• Deciding Who Should Serve on Which Committee
• Roles and Responsibilities of Committee Members

Board Composition

• Building a Diverse Board

Board Roles

• Developing Board Job Descriptions

Audit/Oversight

• Creating a Board Members Manual
• Becoming a More Effective Board

Board Meetings

• Board Meeting Agenda Format and Template

Process

• Consensus Decision-Making

Strategic Governance

• Governance Guides

• The Grant Writing Handbook

Diversity and Inclusion

• Toolkit for Diversity and Inclusion Practitioners

Executive Directors

• Hiring and Performance Appraisal of the ED
• Executive Evaluation
• Performance Management for Executive Directors

Guidelines

• Labour Code Guidelines

Policy and Planning

• HR Knowledge Base

Volunteers

• Best Practices of Working with Volunteers
• Free Online Volunteer Sign-up Sheets
• Volunteer Management Handbook

Mission and Vision

• Lofty Visions, Down-to-Earth Plans

Program Monitoring & Evaluation

• Building Effective Evaluation

Strategic Planning

• Implementing Your Strategic Plan
• Nonprofit Strategic Planning
• Small Nonprofit Podcast: Managing Change
• Strategic Planning Toolkit

• BC Societies Act
• Law for Nonprofits
• Societies Act FAQs

• The tech you need to get started working remotely
• Non-profit remote working tools
• From virtual burnout to feeling energized online
• Technology Donations Program through TechSoup Canada
• Access a free version of MS Teams

• Best Practices of Working with Volunteers
• Volunteer Management Handbook
• Volunteer Canada – Canadian Code for Volunteer Involvement: a guide for engaging volunteers, designing programs, and conducting volunteer program audits.
• Volunteer BC – Guidebooks for setting up a volunteer centre, starting a volunteer program and managing volunteers.

• Free Online Volunteer Sign-up Sheets
• Volunteer Connector – Virtual Volunteer Centre Toolkit to help organizations create an online hub for local opportunities.
• Charity Village – Tools for nonprofits, including checklists for writing effective volunteer postings, plus webinars and sector resources.
• Non-profit Learning Modules Volunteer Engagement

• Volunteerism in the Columbia Basin Report – In 2025, Selkirk Innovates produced a report to better understand the volunteering landscape in the Basin.