Legal Workshops
IntegralOrg's series of legal workshops are free 1-hour virtual discussions by legal specialists on a range of legal issues relevant to nonprofits and charities. They are designed for nonprofit management, board members, staff, and volunteers.
2025 workshop options are under development and will be available for registration in December 2024.You can subscribe to our newsletter to be notified.
Find out about how IntegralOrg can help your organization with legal matters.
The Basics of Nonprofit Bylaws, Policies, and Procedures
Thursday, January 16, 2025, 10:30am to 12pm
At the heart of every nonprofit and charity organization lies its bylaws, policies, procedures - and its incorporation or charity status. These foundational legal frameworks govern what nonprofits can do and what rules they must follow, and so it’s crucial to understand their inner workings.
During this webinar, you’ll hear from C. Yvonne Chenier, K.C., Legal Counsel for IntegralOrg and experienced charity lawyer, as she provides a high-level introduction to the important tools that govern your nonprofit or charity.
Some topics to expect:
- The differences, limits, and relationships between bylaws, policies, procedures, and your nonprofit’s incorporation or charity status.
- Common bylaw elements and the basics of managing, drafting, and changing your bylaws.
- The limitations of your governing rules as it applies to organizations under a variety of nonprofit and charity legislation.
C. Yvonne Chenier K.C. is a lawyer and philanthropy consultant. She is the co-founder and Legal Counsel for IntegralOrg. Yvonne brings more than 40 years of experience helping those in the philanthropic, nonprofit, and social enterprise sectors as general legal counsel and as an advisor on planning, organizational, regulatory and governance matters.
Watch past events!
Click below to watch a workshop - or for workshop recordings, slides, and resources, watch on demand.
The Basics of Bylaws, Policies, and Procedures
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
At the heart of every nonprofit and charity organization lies its bylaws, policies, procedures - and its incorporation or charity status. These foundational legal frameworks govern what nonprofits can do and what rules they must follow, and so it’s crucial to understand their inner workings.
This workshop covers: the differences, limits, and relationships between bylaws, policies, procedures, and your nonprofit’s incorporation or charity status; common bylaw elements and the basics of managing, drafting, and changing your bylaws; and, the limitations of your governing rules as it applies to organizations under a variety of nonprofit and charity legislation. Watch the video.
Privacy: How nonprofit should collect, use, and safeguard personal information
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
Does your nonprofit collect personal information like name or age from your clients, volunteers, or employees? Or is your nonprofit involved in commercial activities? You may be subject to the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) – legislation that covers how the personal information of employees, clients, customers, and volunteers is collected, used, and disclosed.
Whether your nonprofit deals with the personal information of, for example, sports team members, church members, giving program donors, program participants, or day care attendees, your community relies on your organization to implement the best practices when handling personal data. In this workshop, you will learn about the ins and outs of personal information protection from two senior information and privacy managers from the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta (OIPC). Video link.
Lobbying and Advocacy for Nonprofits
Thursday, April 27, 2023
For the nonprofit and charitable sector in Alberta, advocacy can be a crucial component of trying to influence different levels of government and make lasting change in our society. However, for many nonprofit leaders, the political landscape can be complicated, confusing, and inaccessible.
During this webinar, you'll hear from Yvonne Chenier, an experienced nonprofit legal specialist, and, Aileen Burke, a lobbying professional from Alberta Counsel, as they provide a high-level introduction to advocacy and lobbying in Alberta covering: lobbying and how federal and provincial legislation defines lobbying; how to lobby; the importance of relationship building and understanding your audiences; and practical tips for how you can effectively engage in the upcoming provincial election. This webinar is part of the Lobbying for Nonprofits and Charities Toolkit which consists of a 15-minute instructional video about what nonprofits need to know about lobbying and lobbying legislation across Canada and helpful PDFs covering lobbying legislation highlights in each of the jurisdictions in Canada. Video link.
Charitable Funding Changes to Pay Attention to in 2023
Thursday, February 23, 2023
Did you know that all registered charities in Canada can now make “qualifying disbursements” to a “grantee organization” and that there have been changes to the “disbursement quota” amounts?
Recent changes to the Income Tax Act will impact funding for many nonprofit organizations in 2023. While the much anticipated Bill S-216 was not passed, a registered charity may now grant funds in the form of “qualifying disbursements” to grantee organizations that are “non-qualified donees” (an organization that is not a registered charity). This is as long as accountability requirements are met and the grant is made in furtherance of a charitable purpose of the charity. Video link.
Employment Standards: From policy to practice
Thursday, October 13, 2022
This webinar goes beyond the fundamentals of employment standards and addresses some of the common pitfalls that can result in costly problems for charities and nonprofit organizations. Melissa Rico, an employment standards specialist and Partner at Carbert Waite LLP, and Kate Ashton, a Chartered Professional in Human Resources with Salopek & Associates, are featured guest speakers alongside moderator Yvonne Chenier.
This webinar covers: common mistakes and resource draining practices in charities and nonprofits dealing with employment law; key considerations for organizations with employees or volunteers who work with vulnerable people; key HR management strategies in addressing working retention; and best practices and common pitfalls in the application of employment standards. Video link
Understanding Director's Liability: What board members need to know
Thursday, November 17, 2022
What is your liability as a nonprofit board director (member)?
If you serve on a nonprofit board, you have both responsibilities and liabilities. This interactive session for nonprofit board members and leaders covers: Sources of risk for directors; the obligation to manage risk to the organization and personal risk; and risk avoidance, mitigation, and management. David Sevalrud, partner at Carscallen LLP, presents, alongside moderator Yvonne Chenier of IntegralOrg. Video link.
For free introductory webinars on topics of interest to nonprofit organizations, check out IntegralOrg's INTEGRALIntros series.
Do you want to level up your knowledge? You may be interested in IntegralOrg's additional training in governance, finance, legal compliance, or risk management.
Disclaimer: IntegralOrg does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any of the information provided in these webinars. All content and information is provided on an “as is” basis and IntegralOrg hereby expressly disclaims all liability for any action or omission taken as a result of relying on such content or information, or for any loss or damage suffered as a result of this action or omission. Neither IntegralOrg nor any of its employees or agents shall be liable for any damages, either direct, indirect, special, consequential, punitive or other damages (including but not limited to financial losses, loss of data, loss of profits, loss of business and business interruption) arising out of the use of the content and information provided herein.
Blogs
Recent changes to the disubursement quota for registered charities. Yvonne Chenier, January 12, 2023