Responsibility and Accountability - What Community-Based Programs Need to Know

Responsibility and Accountability - What Community-Based Programs Need to Know
402 KB, 66 pages, in PDF format

Table of Contents

• Introduction and Purpose of this Tool Kit
• How to Use the Tool Kit
• The Not-for-Profit Organization
• The Responsible Board of Directors
• Staff Responsibilities
• What is "Risk Management"
• How Does Risk Affect Your Organization?
• What's at Risk, What Can Go Wrong and What Can You Do?
• How Can You Limit Risks?
• Insurance Information for Non Profits
• Appendix A: Checklists
• Appendix B: Government Contacts
• Appendix C: Resources

Disclaimer

This tool kit is designed to provide accurate information regarding the topics covered. Organizational requirements and standards referred to in this publication are used as examples only and are not intended as professional or legal advice. Requirements of not-for-profits vary from province to province and are subject to change based on new legislation, regulatory and judicial decisions, and evolving guidelines and standards. If your organization has questions or requires professional assistance relating to any of the information included in this publication, please contact your own legal, financial or insurance advisor.

Introduction and Purpose of this Tool Kit

Family support programs are community-based organizations working with children, families and caregivers to enhance strengths, to build capacities and to promote healthy development.

Family support programs deliver a range of services guided by principles that focus on building supportive relationships, facilitating growth, respecting diversity and furthering community development.¹

Family support programs, like other community-based not-for-profits, are faced with a variety of uncertainties and challenges. These uncertainties can take many forms and can sometimes threaten the well-being of the organization. This tool kit has been designed to assist family support programs in developing sound operating practices that will help them to minimize many of these challenges and will contribute to the overall health of their organization.

Life is unpredictable. Sometimes things unexpectedly go wrong, and not-for-profit organizations need to be prepared for all kinds of eventualities. Funding may be late in being approved, or may not be renewed at all. There are risks associated with providing services to children, recruiting and working with volunteers and operating quality programs with limited staffing and resources.

In order to operate successfully, we can't eliminate all of these risks, but we can find ways of dealing with uncertainty by making informed choices and decisions and by having sound management practices to help us make wise choices, minimize risks, and protect organizations from loss. By knowing your obligations as a staff member, volunteer or board member, you can help to ensure the ongoing well-being of your organization and those you serve.

¹J. Malcolmson, Putting the Pieces Together: A Conceptual Framework for Family Support Practice. Ottawa: FRP Canada, 2002.

Project Advisory Committee

Barb Cunningham, Family Place, Lethbridge AB
Prairie Escallier, Capital Families Association, Victoria BC
Stephen J. Kelly, B.A., L.L.B., Kelly Howard Santini Law Firm, Ottawa ON
Anna Marie Leblanc Hayes, Valley Resource Centre, Woodstock NB
Richard Massie, B.A., FCIP, Halpenny Insurance Brokers, Ottawa ON
Sue McCormack, Peel-Halton-Dufferin Adult Learning Network, Mississauga ON
Pat McFadden, B.Admin., FCIP, CFE, Quelmec/McLarens Toplis, Ottawa ON
Ann Robertson, C.H.A.N.C.E.S. Family Resource Centre, Charlottetown PEI

Project Coordinator: Janice MacAulay Layout: Gisele Poirier Desktop Publishing

ISBN: 0-919051-41-3
© Copyright 2002

FRP Canada would like to acknowledge and thank all those who so generously contributed knowledge and practical experience to the development of this publication. Special thanks to the Advisory Committee and its Chair, Sue McCormack.

Alla G. Ivask
Executive Director
FRP Canada

Funding for this resource was provided by Health Canada. The views expressed in this publication should not be attributed to the funding body.

Additional copies of this publication can be ordered from:

FRP Canada
707 - 331 Cooper Street
Ottawa, ON K2P 0G5
Tel: (613) 237-7667
Fax: (613) 237-8515
E-mail: info@frp.ca
Web: www.frp.ca