What to Expect & How to Transition

The Societies Act sets the legal framework for the majority of charitable and not-for-profit organizations operating in BC. The New Societies Act comes into force in November 2016. Is your non-profit organization ready? How will the changes affect your organization?

Concerned about the changes to the Society Act? Wondering how to make sure you’re in compliance with all of the new regulations. Lawyer Martha Rans will explain what the new Act will mean to your Society’s current corporate and governance practices, highlight significant changes from the current legislation, and provide tips on how to prepare your board, your legal documents, and your organization for the transition to the new Act. In this interactive workshop, Rans will review key areas such as:

• Identifying areas of compliance;
• Understanding the transition timeline;
• What work is required in order to make relevant changes to constitution and bylaws;
• Roles, responsibilities, and compliance: Members, board directors, officers, and employees;
• Understanding key changes in the Act, including:
  • Board nominations/appointments;
  • Qualifications of directors;
  • Conflict of interest;
  • Record keeping and Privacy;
  • Member and public access to Society records.

Who Should Attend? Executive directors, managers, staff, board directors, and other not-for-profit leaders.

Martha Rans

A true believer in community and a passionate advocate for the arts, Martha Rans is a lawyer who has provided advice to artists in all disciplines for over 20 years. She is co-founder and Legal Director of Artists’ Legal Outreach, a legal advice clinic providing advice to artists in all disciplines.

Her Vancouver-based law practice specializes in the legal needs of non-profits, charities and digital creatives. She spent 10 years as labour employment and human rights lawyer/mediator with the B.C. and Ontario governments. She has appeared before administrative tribunals, and provincial and B.C. Supreme Court. She advises on charity law, incorporation, governance, privacy, employment, labour, health & safety and human rights. Her advice is practical and strategic, tailored to the needs of her clients.

In 2014 Martha co-chaired the CLEBC Charities and Non Profit Conference. She has delivered workshops to non profits across the province of B.C. including Board Voice Society, BC Food Banks, Ending Violence Association, StepUp BC, and Kootenay Community Services Co-operative.

Read more about Martha and her valuable work at her website.

Monday, June 27 | 10 am to 12:30 pm

Gabriola Arts & Heritage Centre — 476 South Rd.

$40 per person

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