For non-profits, cooperatives, and school boards that are ready to govern with confidence
Most boards in Manitoba are doing their best with no map. Directors show up for the right reasons — community commitment, sector expertise, genuine care — but without training, even the most dedicated board can drift into micromanagement, miss compliance obligations, and leave the executive director managing the board instead of running the organization.
We deliver facilitated board governance training across Manitoba, built specifically for non-profits, cooperatives, and school boards, not generic corporate workshops repackaged for a local postal code.
Does your board struggle with any of these?
- Directors who don’t know where governance ends and management begins — and an ED who’s paying the price
- New board members who take months to find their footing because there was no real orientation
- Uncertainty about your obligations under The Corporations Act of Manitoba, your bylaws, and annual filing requirements
- Meetings that are long, unfocused, and produce decisions that don’t stick
- A board that’s technically compliant but strategically disengaged
- Succession gaps — no plan for when experienced directors leave
- Conflict of interest situations that nobody knows how to handle
These are the challenges we hear most from Manitoba boards. They’re all solvable but not without deliberate, sector-appropriate training.
What our Manitoba board training covers
Governance fundamentals — What a board is actually for: its legal role, fiduciary duties, and the difference between governance and operations. We use plain language grounded in the Manitoba context, not abstract boardroom theory.
The Corporations Act of Manitoba and compliance — What directors of Manitoba non-profits need to know about their obligations under The Corporations Act (C.C.S.M. c. C225): director duties, annual returns, bylaws, AGM requirements, and the personal liability that comes with directorship. We also address the Manitoba Accessibility Act obligations that took effect in 2025 for organizations with employees.
Board-executive director relationship — The boundary between the board’s governance role and the ED’s management role is the most common source of dysfunction we see. We help boards and executive directors get clear, get aligned, and stay there.
Financial oversight — Understanding financial statements, budget approval, reserves, and the board’s fiduciary duty over organizational funds. You don’t need to be an accountant but you do need to know what you’re signing off on.
Decision-making and meeting management — How to structure meetings that actually produce decisions. Agenda discipline, quorum, consent agenda, minutes that protect the organization. Practical tools, not theory.
Conflict of interest and board conduct — How to recognize, disclose, and manage conflicts. Code of conduct basics. Handling difficult situations before they become crises.
Strategic oversight and succession planning — How boards can stay focused on long-term direction while managing appropriate oversight of the ED’s performance. Board recruitment, onboarding, and succession so institutional knowledge doesn’t walk out the door.
Who we work with in Manitoba
- Non-profit societies and charities of all sizes, from community organizations to multi-site service providers
- Cooperatives operating under Manitoba cooperative legislation
- School division boards across the province
- Organizations in leadership transition — new ED, new board chair, or governance review
Training is customized for your sector, your board’s maturity level, and your most pressing challenges. We don’t run the same generic workshop for every client.
How training works
We offer facilitated full-board training, new director orientation, board retreat facilitation, and multi-session governance development. Delivery is available in person at your location anywhere in Manitoba — including rural and northern communities — or online.
Every engagement starts with a discovery conversation to understand your board’s specific situation before we design a session agenda. Most organizations choose a half-day to full-day format; multi-session programs are available for boards committed to sustained improvement.
What boards say
Frequently asked questions
Do you work with organizations outside Winnipeg?
Yes. We work with boards throughout Manitoba, including rural and northern communities. Online facilitation is available for organizations where travel isn’t practical, and we can also travel to you.
What legislation governs Manitoba non-profit boards?
Most Manitoba non-profits are incorporated under The Corporations Act of Manitoba (C.C.S.M. c. C225). Federally incorporated non-profits operate under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act. Our training is grounded in both, and we help boards understand which framework applies to them and what it requires.
What about the new Manitoba Accessibility Act requirements?
As of May 2025, Manitoba non-profits with at least one employee are required to meet the Accessible Information and Communication Standard. Boards need to understand this obligation. We incorporate current legislative changes into governance training so your board isn’t caught off-guard.
How is your training different from what MCCA or Volunteer Manitoba offers?
MCCA and the provincial government’s board training programs are specifically designed for licensed childcare centers and funded through a federal-provincial agreement. If you’re not a childcare center, those programs weren’t built for you. Our training serves the broader Manitoba non-profit sector, including co-ops and school boards, with facilitated, customized delivery rather than self-directed online modules.
How is your training different from The Knowledge Academy?
The Knowledge Academy offers generic corporate director training built for publicly-traded companies and large private corporations. It has no Manitoba context, no non-profit or cooperative sector experience, and charges individual registration fees of $1,695 or more per person. Our training is built for the MB voluntary sector, facilitated for your whole board together, and priced for organizational budgets.
Can you train both the board and the executive director together?
Yes, and for board-ED relationship issues, we strongly recommend it. Joint sessions that establish clear role boundaries and rebuild trust are among the most impactful work we do.
Do you offer bilingual training?
Please contact us about French-language or bilingual delivery options for your organization.
Is this a deductible organizational expense?
Professional development and governance training are typically eligible expenses for incorporated non-profits. We recommend confirming with your accountant.
Ready to build a stronger board?
Whether you’re a new organization building governance from the ground up, an established board that has developed some bad habits, or a board in transition, we’re here to help.
Have questions? Reach out — we’re here to support your board’s success.
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