Non-profit Advisors Program
The Non-profit Advisors Program supports non-profits in Columbia Basin Trust’s region with organizational development and capacity building through a range of resources including organizational assessments and recommendations, specialized consulting support, information-sharing, skill-building workshops and webinars and an online reference library.
Whether you are new to the program or have received previous support, our team is here to help. These services are free and if the advisor thinks more specialized consulting support is needed, this program may also subsidize those services.
To explore how the program can support your non-profit, review the Program Guide.
If you have questions regarding eligibility or general non-profit questions, contact nonprofit@ourtrust.org.
The Non-profit Advisors Program can connect you with an advisor who will assess your organization and provide recommendations, including whether you might benefit from the support of a consultant.
Wendy Booth
Wendy has extensive experience in board governance and strategic planning having served as an elected official with the RDEK and Trust board member for many years. Her passion for community development and working with communities, combined with her entrepreneurial spirit having owned a Whitewater rafting company, gives her a unique perspective in providing leadership and guidance to many organizations.
Pete Bourke
Pete brings over 25 years of senior leadership experience throughout the tourism, hospitality, customer service sectors, and non-profit sectors. He also has extensive board experience with local, provincial, and national organizations in a variety of roles. Through his work with Chambers of Commerce and Economic Development, along with operating his own business, Pete has a firsthand appreciation for what it takes to be successful in the Kootenays.
Alan Chell
Alan’s extensive non-profit and public sector experience has led him to his current Board Chair and Vice-Chair roles with Revelstoke Credit Union, Revelstoke School Board, BC Public School Employers’ Association, and Public Education Benefits Trust. He is retired as Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Revelstoke, and has provided consultancy support to many non-profit organizations in the Basin.
Zoë Creighton
Zoë has worked with non-profit societies and co-operatives around the Basin for the past 25 years. She is currently the Coordinator of the Upper Columbia Co-op Council and as a consultant, she works with established organizations on board development, organizational effectiveness, and strategic planning.
- Various other resources related to non-profit operations.
- Downloadable directory of other non-Trust grants that may be applicable to your work. None of these grants are Trust programs.
Learn and Develop: Webinars and Workshops for Non-profits
Non-profit Webinars
Through its Non-profit Advisors Program, the Trust hosts a series of free webinars that can help build the knowledge and capacity of your non-profit.
In addition to these webinars, the Trust hosts a series of in-person workshops. Learn about upcoming sessions here.
Facilitating Effective Meetings
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
Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/OYg3PeLLSuyMPcORZUluvg
Fiduciary Duties and Responsibilities of Directors
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
Mastering Video on Social Media
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
Non-profit Workshops – Revelstoke
The Trust is hosting a series of free in-person workshops on October 3, 2026 in Revelstoke that will help build the knowledge and capacity of non-profits. These workshops are for Basin non-profits and their staff and volunteers.
In addition to these in-person workshops, the Trust hosts a series of webinars. Learn about upcoming webinars here.
Succession Planning for Non-profit Organizations
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.
Date: October 3, 2026
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm PT
Location: Revelstoke Community & Aquatic Centre
Address: 600 Campbell Ave. Revelstoke V0E 2S0
Register Now: https://forms.ourtrust.org/npa-workshop-registration-electronic-form/
Payroll Essentials for Non-Profit Organizations
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.
Date: October 3, 2026
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm PT
Location: Revelstoke Community & Aquatic Centre
Address: 600 Campbell Ave. Revelstoke V0E 2S0
Register Now: https://forms.ourtrust.org/npa-workshop-registration-electronic-form/
Volunteer Management: A Program that Works
Getting and keeping the good ones! A well-coordinated volunteer program will make sure you can find and retain a solid corps of qualified people for your team. The session will cover the fundamentals of recruiting, screening, training, placing, supervising, evaluating and recognizing volunteers.
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.
Date: October 3, 2026
Time: 1:00 pm PT – 3:00 pm PT
Location: Revelstoke Community & Aquatic Centre
Address: 600 Campbell Ave. Revelstoke V0E 2S0
Register Now: https://forms.ourtrust.org/npa-workshop-registration-electronic-form/
Financial Management – Building Budgets & Financial Statements
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.
Date: October 3, 2026
Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm PT
Location: Revelstoke Community & Aquatic Centre
Address: 600 Campbell Ave. Revelstoke V0E 2S0
Register Now: https://forms.ourtrust.org/npa-workshop-registration-electronic-form/
Non-profit Workshops – Fernie
The Trust is hosting a series of free in-person workshops on October 24, 2026 in Fernie that will help build the knowledge and capacity of non-profits. These workshops are for Basin non-profits and their staff and volunteers.
In addition to these in-person workshops, the Trust hosts a series of webinars. Learn about upcoming webinars here.
Succession Planning for Non-profit Organizations
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.
Date: October 24, 2026
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm MT
Location: Best Western Plus Fernie Mountain Lodge
Address: 1622 7th Ave Fernie BC, V0B 1MO
Register Now: https://forms.ourtrust.org/npa-workshop-registration-electronic-form/
Payroll Essentials for Non-Profit Organizations
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.
Date: October 24, 2026
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm MT
Location: Best Western Plus Fernie Mountain Lodge
Address: 1622 7th Ave Fernie BC, V0B 1MO
Register Now: https://forms.ourtrust.org/npa-workshop-registration-electronic-form/
Recruiting and Retaining Great Volunteers: Strategies That Work
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.
Date: October 24, 2026
Time: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm MT
Location: Best Western Plus Fernie Mountain Lodge
Address: 1622 7th Ave Fernie BC, V0B 1MO
Register Now: https://forms.ourtrust.org/npa-workshop-registration-electronic-form/
Financial Management – Building Budgets & Financial Statements
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.
Date: October 24, 2026
Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm MT
Location: Best Western Plus Fernie Mountain Lodge
Address: 1622 7th Ave Fernie BC, V0B 1MO
Register Now: https://forms.ourtrust.org/npa-workshop-registration-electronic-form/
Non-profit Workshops – Rossland
The Trust is hosting a series of free in-person workshops on November 7, 2026 in Rossland that will help build the knowledge and capacity of non-profits. These workshops are for Basin non-profits and their staff and volunteers.
In addition to these in-person workshops, the Trust hosts a series of webinars. Learn about upcoming webinars here.
Recruiting and Retaining Great Volunteers: Strategies That Work
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/
Financial Management – Building Budgets & Financial Statements
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/
Succession Planning for Non-profit Organizations
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/
Payroll Essentials for Non-Profit Organizations
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/
Downloads and Resources
Non-profit Learning Modules
To download a module, click on the Download button below the item you want.
Non-profit Resources
Click on the topic heading to find a variety of resources related to non-profit operations.
Community Relations
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
Partnerships/collaborations
Financial Management
Approvals/Monitoring
Budgeting
Governance
Advisory Council
Board Committees
- Committee Terms of Reference
- Deciding Who Should Serve on Which Committee
- Roles and Responsibilities of Committee Members
Board Composition
Board Roles
Audit/Oversight
Board Meetings
Process
Strategic Governance
Human Resources
Diversity and Inclusion
Executive Directors
- Hiring and Performance Appraisal of the ED
- Executive Evaluation
- Performance Management for Executive Directors
Guidelines
Policy and Planning
Volunteers
Legal/Risk Management
Conflict of Interest
Key Policy
Risk Management
- Legal Compliance Self Assessment for BC Non-Profits
- Pro bono legal help for non-profits in BC
- Insurance and Liability for Charities and Nonprofits
- Risk Management Basics
Filing/Status
Planning and Direction
Mission and Vision
Program Monitoring & Evaluation
Strategic Planning
Volunteer Resources
View a list of volunteer resources related to non-profits.
Guides & Best Practices
- 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.
Tools & Resources
- 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
Research
- Volunteerism in the Columbia Basin Report – In 2025, Selkirk Innovates produced a report to better understand the volunteering landscape in the Basin.
Essential Webinar Series
We also offer the Non-profit Essentials Webinar Series, available for immediate download. This series explores important topics for non-profit societies. Combining online videos with slide notes and workbooks, the series provides tools to expand the knowledge and build capacity in non-profit organizations across the Basin.
Take one or all sessions at your leisure. Explore the topics and start anytime.
