What you'll learn
The core purpose of the non-profit board, and your role as a director
Supporting a healthy relationship with your Executive Director or CEO
Dealing with governance complexity, conflict of interest, difficult times and leadership succession
Confidence that you have the right questions to ask as a director
Meet your facilitator
Kathryn Cosgrove, MBA, FCMC
Principal | Cosgrove&Co.
Twenty-five years as a trusted advisor for non-profit, professional services and private company boards. Founder of Board Leapfrog® and BoardHealthScore™.
Date
December 8, 2026 9 am to 4 pm
Venue
Halifax Citadel National Historic Site 5425 Sackville Street, Halifax NS B3J 3Y3 Parking in backlot
Good to know
Lunch will be served
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Board Leapfrog® is a combination of online foundational training, plus a one-day in person session where you can learn from peers! Prior to attending the in-person live training, you will be asked to complete two comprehensive and foundational virtual and self-paced modules of training:
LEGAL ESSENTIALS
FOUR ONLINE MODULES, ABOUT 1.5 HOURS TOTAL: Key Legal Concepts for Non-Profit Directors Fiduciary Duties of a non-profit director Director liability and conflicts of interest Common Legal risks facing non-profit organizations
FINANCIAL ESSENTIALS
FIVE ONLINE MODULES, ABOUT 3 HOURS TOTAL: Finance best practices for strong non-profits Key concepts for non-accountants Reading & understanding financial statements Working with the External Auditor Overseeing the Organization’s financial controls
In-Person Session
SO YOU'RE A DIRECTOR NOW... Turning your passion to fuel for the board's work What is today's governance all about? Recap of key concepts directors need to know UNDERSTANDING YOUR ROLE AS DIRECTOR: Legal duties as a director Asking good questions Wearing multiple ‘hats’ as a director GOOD GOVERNANCE AS A 'SYSTEM' Aligning on goals & priorities Making the Board’s work make sense Important sources of the board's information DEALING WITH CONFLICT Good conflict or bad conflict? Healthy debate is your friend Avoiding groupthink Techniques to try when things are going wrong THE DELICATE MATTER OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PERFORMANCE REVIEWS Designing an effective process Importance of obtaining objective feedback Making it a positive & beneficial experience KEY BOARD POLICY AND PROCESSES: Director recruiting and Improving board composition Succession Planning Board effectiveness evaluations Continuous governance evolution - making sustainable improvements ROLE PLAY ACTIVITY: MODELLING GREAT BOARD SKILLS