This page includes links to various organizations and online resources that provide training and other support for voluntary sector organizations.

Book Review: Murray, Vic, ed., Management of Nonprofit and Charitable Organizations in Canada, (Markham: LexisNexis Canada Inc., 2006)

This book, edited by University of Victoria Adjunct faculty member Vic Murray, features articles by two Calgarians: Andrea McManus, CCVO Board Chair and President of the Development Group; and Keith Seel, Director, Mount Royal College's Institute for Nonprofit Studies. Click here to read a review of the book by Wayne Stewart or Charity Village, or for the publisher's information sheet/order form.

Insurance Toolkit for the Voluntary Sector: A Guide for Nonprofits and Charities

An easy to use guide to insurance that offers practical tips, tools and checklists to help charities and nonprofits understand their insurance needs and navigate the complex process of finding the appropriate insurance coverage. CCVO developed the toolkit for the Alberta Voluntary Sector Insurance Council (AVSIC). For information about workshops in other areas of Alberta, visit Volunteer Alberta's website.

Charities Carrying on Business- The Principles and the Issues
A powerpoint presentation by leading charity lawyer Laird Hunter covers:
• the question of what a charity is allowed to do by way of operating a business;
• the two kinds of acceptable related businesses;
• the key concepts under the Income Tax Act for registered charities to understand the limits of charities and business operations;
• a decision tree for identifying an unrelated business;
• ways in which an unrelated business can be held by a charity.

Sector Education Opportunities

CentrePoint Nonprofit Management
A Calgary-based organization working to advance optimal performance in the non-profit sector through consulting, mentoring, training and collaboration.

Volunteer Calgary
An organization dedicated to promoting volunteerism and supporting organizations that use volunteers. Volunteer Calgary offers workshops, courses, training for professional development in volunteer management, and an online database of volunteer opportunities with Calgary's charities and nonprofits.

Mount Royal College: The Institute For Nonprofit Studies
Offers education, training and research tailored for the nonprofit sector including a Bachelor of Applied Non-Profit Studies - Canada's first undergraduate degree dedicated to the nonprofit sector.

Mount Royal College: Non Profit Management Certificate (Faculty of Continuing Education)

A seven-course program designed for immediate practical application to the non-profit workplace. The courses are tailored for volunteers and staff in the non-profit sector, consultants to the non-profit sector, community partners interested in expanding their perspective and those seeking a career in the non-profit sector.

Government of Alberta: Community Development Board Development Program

A unique service that provides assistance to not-for-profit boards in the area of governance through workshops, consultation, training, resource materials, special and presentations.

Canadian Outcomes Research Institute
A non-profit organization working to increase the effectiveness of human service organizations to meet the needs of those they serve by providing education, research, training, and services for outcomes and evidence-based practice.

Other Capacity Building Organizations:

Edmonton Chamber of Voluntary Organizations
Voluntary sector network organization based in Edmonton, Alberta.

Canadian Federation of Voluntary Sector Networks
Coalition of 14 voluntary sector network organizations across Canada (including CCVO) working to build the capacity of local networks, share resources, engage in research and address emerging issues.

Imagine Canada
National clearinghouse focusing on funding and development issues, Imagine Canada also maintains the NonprofitsCan.ca and Knowledge Development Centre websites to share resources.

Voluntary Gateway
Website to enhance the sharing of information between nonprofit and voluntary organizations, part of the Voluntary Sector Initiative.

Online Resources:

Volunteers and the Law in Alberta (2007)
Provides a general overview of the various areas of law and how they relate volunteer programs, Board of Directors, and volunteers. A downloadable PDF version will be available Summer 2008.