Running a nonprofit is different from running a business in many ways. Nonprofit boards have to balance:

• Help with oversight

• A plan with a goal

• Being responsible to donors and the community

• Volunteer leaders work with professional managers

Without good governance, organizations may have unclear responsibilities, board members who aren’t involved, or decisions that aren’t always made the same way. All of these things can hurt their mission and credibility.

A board that is well-governed doesn’t just “work,” it builds trust, gives direction, and safeguards the organization’s future.

We offer a broad range of board governance services for nonprofits of all sizes, from small grassroots charities to large national associations.

Reviews of Board Governance

We look at your current governance structure, policies, and practices to find things that are working well and things that may be better.

Includes:

• Self-assessments of the board

• Evaluations of role clarity

• Review of governance policies

• Suggestions for getting things in line and making them better

Training and Development for the Board

Workshops that are interactive and tailored to each board member’s needs help them acquire confidence, skills, and a shared understanding.

Common Topics:

• Governance vs. Operations

• What the board does and what it is responsible for

• Making sure the board and staff get along well

• Fairness, diversity, and inclusion in government

• Thinking strategically and overseeing fiduciaries

You can get them as single sessions or as a comprehensive development series.

Helping with Board Retreats

Our retreats provide your board a chance to connect, get on the same page, and move forward, whether it’s a new board, new members, or a new strategic plan.

Results:

• Better relationships

• A better grasp of the functions of government

• A new dedication to the mission

Help with Policy and Board Governance Structure

We assist you in creating or updating essential documentation and systems that enable non-profit boards to run smoothly.

Services include:

• Updates to bylaws and terms of reference
• Making rules for governance
• Suggestions for how to form the committee
• Frameworks for planning succession

Hiring Board Members and Planning for Their Replacement

We help your board plan for the future by finding the right individuals to hire, creating paths for leaders to grow, and making sure things stay the same.

Includes:

•  Descriptions of roles

• Tools for hiring and onboarding

• Planning for succession and leadership

Three principles guide how we run our business:

1. Clarity: Everyone knows what their job is, what they are responsible for, and how they can help.

2. Alignment: The board and staff work together to reach a common goal.

3. Engagement: Board members are involved, responsible, and linked to the mission.

We offer unbiased, experienced facilitation, a thorough grasp of how non-profits work, and tools that fit your culture and needs.

We use frameworks like Carver Policy Governance to guide us.

• Governance that makes things happen

• Principles of Fairness and Inclusion

• Tools for SWOT, PEST, and Strategic Alignment

We’ll meet you where you are, whether you’re just getting started or ready for a full governance update.

We help boards of non-profit organizations in several fields, such as:

• Organizations that deal with arts, culture, and heritage

• Nonprofits that help with health and social issues

• Groups that work for the environment and for social justice

• Schools and universities and foundations

• Groups that are based on faith and morals

• Associations at the national, provincial, and community levels

We’ll work with you to find the best way to meet your board, whether it’s over a kitchen table or in a formal boardroom.

We are delighted to help many different nonprofit groups all around Canada, such as:

If you hear, “We’re not sure where governance ends and operations begin,” you’re not alone.

“Board meetings seem unproductive or unfocused.”

“We have great people, but things aren’t clear enough.”

“We haven’t looked at our bylaws in years.”

“We’re having trouble finding new board members and planning for the future.”

These problems happen a lot, but they can be fixed. We have helped many boards become more confident and work together by giving them practical, step-by-step advice.

Let’s look into how we can help your board.

Your whole company will benefit if you put time and care into planning. Our nonprofit clients routinely report:

Nonprofits do well when governance is robust. Our clients often tell us that:

• The board is more involved and accountable

• More clear distinction between operations and governance

• Board meetings that work better

• Better strategic alignment and funding

• Funders and community stakeholders have more faith in us

We help boards become leaders who make a difference, not just watch over things.

Q: What’s the difference between management and governance?

A: Governance is about making plans, keeping an eye on things, and being responsible. Management is in charge of the daily activities. Strong boards support leadership while staying out of the way.

Q: Is it possible to train the board and the executive director at the same time?

Yes, for sure. We typically work with the board and staff as a team to help everyone understand each other and appreciate each other.

Q: Do you help with reviewing bylaws and updating policies?

Yes. We can help with conversations and give you templates for board policies, bylaws, and committee structures that are based on best practices.

Q: Do you have online board training or retreats?

Yes. We may offer all of our services online, in person, or in a mix of the two.

Q: What kinds of businesses do you work with?

We work with organizations of various sorts, from small local charity to big national groups. A willingness to be involved and grow is what matters most.

Satori Consulting Inc. is ready to help you if your nonprofit board wants to be more focused, involved, and effective.

Call us at 905-627-0555

Email: sandiv@satoriconsulting.ca

We are proud to help nonprofit boards all around Ontario and Canada.