March 8, 2010
New Resources for Board Members and Volunteers of Charities and Non-Profit Organizations
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| From left: Daphne Curtis of Atlantic MediaWorks, who directed the video; Deborah Doherty, executive director of PLEIS-NB; Stacey Brown, project manager at PLEIS-NB; and Félix-Antoine Simard of Canada Revenue Agency. |
Public Legal Education and Information Service of New Brunswick (PLEIS-NB) has launched a new series of free resources for charities and non-profit organizations. The Welcome Aboard project began with consultations with charities and non-profit organizations in New Brunswick and has resulted in a video on the roles and responsibilities of board members, a handbook for new board members and a series of pamphlets to help volunteers understand their rights, duties and liabilities.
More than 100 people from various non-profit organizations attended an event in Fredericton to learn more about these resources. The launch featured a screening of both the English and French versions of the Welcome Aboard video. This 20 minute DVD explains the important role of board members and emphasizes the serious commitment an individual makes to an organization when they join the board.
The handbook contains an overview of some of the legal issues and questions to consider when becoming involved with an organization’s board of directors. The handbook provides space to record important information about the specific organization and references to other resources. Although primarily intended for new board members, the handbook may prompt discussion among existing boards. It could provide an opportunity to revisit important issues and ensure the organization is meeting its requirements under the Income Tax Act.
The Welcome Aboard project was funded by the Canada Revenue Agency, Charities Directorate. The Charities Partnership Outreach Program funded several projects across Canada to provide small and rural charities with tools to help explain the reporting requirements and guidelines for charitable organizations.
PLEIS-NB will be travelling to several communities around the province to promote and distribute these resources. Visit the PLEIS-NB website, www.legal-info-legale.nb.ca, to view the products online, order free copies, or find an event near you. You can also contact PLEIS-NB at 506-453-5369 or by email at pleisnb@web.ca.
