Association Management Consultants Inc.

Providing Solutions

Governance Implementation

If your organization is thinking about improving its governance structure, we can help.

The first step is to ensure that you are aware of the principal alternative models that are available. To accomplish this, we can prepare and present a specially-tailored seminar for your directors, outlining the pros and cons of the Complementary Governance Model, the Policy Governance Model and the Traditional Governance Model.

Secondly, after your Board understands the alternatives, we can help you make the determination as to which model is best for your organization.

Thirdly, we can then facilitate the introduction of the selected model by working with you to develop an implementation plan and schedule, and working hand-in-hand with you to establish the new governance structure.

Looking for Work or for Staff

Our firm's "niche" is the not-for-profit and public sector - it is our area of expertise; and that includes staff recruitment! We have recruited full-time senior staff and full-time intermediate staff. We have recruited part-time staff and provided staff on an interim basis to fill short-term requirements of clients. Because of our solid reputation, we are contacted by people from across the country who are seeking work in the not-for-profit sector, and by Executive Directors thinking about making a change. So if you are looking for good people, or thinking about a new challenge for yourself, contact us.

• Advertisements and expanded outlines of positions being recruited by AMC and the contact person
• Other advertised positions in the not-for-profit sector

Client comments

"On behalf of the BC Branch of the Canadian Bar Association, and as Chair of our committee to choose a new Executive Director, I wish to thank you for the tremendous service that you provided in assisting our Branch in this project. ...the only hard part for us, (was) choosing from amongst the (finalist candidates), who were all excellent, but that difficulty was testimony to your great efforts. We would be pleased to recommend you for any similar undertaking in the future."
Eric Rice, Q.C., Past President & Chair of Search Committee, B.C. Branch of the Canadian Bar Association

"We are writing to thank you for your advice, assistance and guidance during the search and hiring process, which led to the hiring of the candidate that you recommended. We believe that he will be a long term, skilled and effective Executive Director, of our association, and were very pleased with the quality of all the candidates you presented to us, and with the search generally. Your thoroughness and professionalism were a great assistance to the Board. We would not hesitate to retain your services again, or to recommend them to other associations."
Anders Ourom, LL.B., Vice-President & Chair of Search Committee, Hostelling International Canada, B.C. Region

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Parliamentarian

Do you need a Parliamentarian to independently oversee the running of your next general membership meeting - to make sure things are done according to proper rules of order. We have provided that service to many organizations. Ensuring that that bylaw requirements are met, that the meeting's rules are properly followed and that all participants have a chance to be heard are the cornerstones of a good general membership meeting. Contact us if you need assistance.

Volunteer, Member and Staff Training

Each year we present over forty seminars to not-for-profit and public sector organizations. Titles include:

• Board Orientation - Beyond Carver: The Complementary Model of Board Governance
• Three Governance Models: The Traditional, the Carver and the Complementary Models
• Wearing All The Hats: A Practical Guide for Managing The Small Association
• Financial Management in the Not-For-Profit Organization
• A Practical Guide For Making Your Meetings More Productive
• How To Take Really Good Minutes

Seminars vary in length from sixty minutes to a full day and are tailored to the specific needs of the group. Contact us, and we will design a humorous, entertaining, and practical seminar to meet your specific requirements.

Client comments

"For the third year in a row, you did a fine job with our annual training session for new and returning Council members and staff. We found the material you covered (Directors Liability, Roles of Directors and Staff, Meeting Management, and Getting the Most From Your Committees) was well presented and filled a real need. For those new to the material each year, this session is vital to getting off on the right foot. Even for those of us who have been through it before, it was a valuable refresher and team builder. Again, thanks for getting our new committee year off to a good start!"
E.V. Scoffield, R.P.F., Executive Director, Association of B.C. Professional Foresters

"I want to personally thank you for the excellent Board Orientation seminar you put on for our Association last month. The material in both "How to Make Your Meetings Work" and " The Complementary Roles of Directors and Staff" was presented in an interesting, concise, and often humorous way. Several of the Board members came up to me afterwards to compliment me on your professionalism and one actually said "I wish you'd done this sooner. I feel as though I've wasted a whole year."
Susan Foster, CMP, Previous Assistant General Manager, Insurance Brokers Association of B.C.

"I want to let you know how pleased our Board of Directors is with your presentation on Running Effective Meetings, Getting The Most Out Of Committees, and Preparing For Strategic Planning. They appreciated the high level of your understanding about the operation of associations, the "hands-on" usefullness of your information, as well as your clear and relaxed presentation manner."
Jane Stock, Executive Director, B.C. Nursery Trades Association

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Strategic Planning

Given the steady change in volunteer directors, periodic strategic planning sessions are even more important for not-for-profit associations and public sector bodies than for profit-seeking corporations. And yet, until recently, few of these organizations have taken the time to conduct this serious exercise. If the time has come for your group to reassess its direction, set new goals and develop new operating plans, contact us. We have a wealth of experience in facilitating at planning retreats.

Client comments

"On behalf of the members of the Strategic Planning Committee, please accept our sincerest thanks for your excellent guidance at the recent planning session. We have received your report and the committee will discuss it in detail and formulate our objectives for the coming years. Tom, please accept personal thanks from me for a job well done."
A.C. Quarless, Previous Executive Officer, Victoria Real Estate Board

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Staff and Overhead Costs

Keeping good staff is always a concern for successful Executive Directors; keeping good Executive Directors is always an ongoing concern of Boards of Directors. More and more frequently, our firm is being asked to conduct an independent review of staff compensation and report upon the fairness, and the competitiveness of the staff's salaries. We have also conducted comparative studies to reassure Boards that their organization's salary and administration costs are not out-of-step with comparable groups. If we can assist you and your Board in conducting an impartial study and analysis, contact us.

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Organizational Reviews

Organizational review - also called a staff audit! Frightening terms that can raise the adrenaline level of even a seasoned Executive Director. But a comprehensive review of the systems, policies, procedures and operation in an organization can really help build the Board's confidence in your management team.

Client comments

"The recently completed staff audit has not only created a real focus for our Executive Management Committee, it has also opened up new challenges for myself and staff. Much of your report confirmed that we are an efficient organization... Your personal presentation of the report certainly tied it all together and created a bond between the committee members and even a commitment to implement the recommedations."
D. Gardner F.R.I., R.I.(B.C.), Executive Officer, Vancouver Island Real Estate Board