Understand what it means to be a director of a board and how to push for governance success.

Good governance is part of any well-managed organization. As represented by a board of directors, corporate governance starts with a board that oversees the activities of the organization. A good approach to governance allows the board to focus on larger issues, delegate with authority, rigorously evaluate organizational accomplishments, and lead, in a strategic sense.

In a highly interactive and engaging format, using dilemmas, short case studies, and scenarios from a variety of sectors, this session will provide new and prospective board members with a high-level introduction to organizational governance.  This course will put you in the driver's seat and allow you to reflect on how your board or committee may need to engage on diverse challenges.

Regardless of whether you are operating in the for-profit, not-for-profit, or government sector, understanding the processes, structures, and relationships that make up good governance is vital for organizational success.

Key Learning Outcomes

• Understand organizational governance
• Reflect on what it means to govern or oversee the organization's affairs
• Explore the roles of board members
• Identify practices that are critical in creating and maintaining success
• Discuss emerging issues in board governance such as:
  • Appointing and supervising the Executive Director and other officers
  • Structuring the board and committees
  • Directing and evaluating strategy
  • Representing members and maintaining stakeholder relations
  • Identifying and managing risk on behalf of the organization
  • Protecting and enhancing the organization's assets
  • Fulfilling fiduciary and legal requirements
  • Criteria for evaluating governance effectiveness

What Our Clients Say

"Highly recommend this course! It's extremely insightful. I learned many new strategies and broadened my understanding of Board dynamics and governance." 
- Kathy Hawkins, Executive Director, Empower, Disability Resource Centre - Spring/Summer Partcipant

"Extremely valuable training. Learned many new things and I've had many years experience being around Boards." 
- Spring/Summer Partcipant

"Easy to understand; kept interest throughout the whole session."
- Custom Training Participant 

Continuing Education Contact Hours: 7

Who Should Attend

This course is not only well-suited to new or experienced members of boards and/or those who serve on organized committees, but also those who are considering serving on a board or committee. The subject matter is relevant to both the public and private sector, as well as not-for-profit organizations.

Instructor(s)

Tom Cooper

Dr. Tom Cooper is a Professor at the Faculty of Business Administration at Memorial University, where he lectures in the areas of strategy, risk management, management consulting and ethics/values at both an undergraduate and graduate level. His research is primarily focused on the interplay between strategy and risk management. Tom also has research interests in participatory approaches to research and doing business in remote areas.

Tom also acts as an advisor to a number of organizations in Canada and is a Certified Management Consultant. He has sat on the Board of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Newfoundland and Labrador (ICANL) as an appointed public representative since 2008. He was a member of the Governance as well as the Strategic Planning Committee of ICANL. He has also acted as a committee member of the CPA TSC's Governance and Strategic Planning subcommittees. He is the current Chair of Startup Newfoundland and Labrador. He is a mentor with Futurpreneur and is a past a Board Member with the Atlantic Chapter of the Certified Management Consultants.

Prior to taking his position at Memorial, Tom was a Senior Manager in PricewaterhouseCoopers' Performance Improvement Consulting practice in London. Tom worked as a senior consultant in this area for ten years with clients in the United Kingdom, Europe and North America.

Tom's research has been published widely in industry and academic publications. He has been quoted in the Financial Times of London, BBC World Service, CBC, Atlantic Business, and other industry publications. He holds a Ph.D. in Business from the Warwick Business School, University of Warwick, United Kingdom.