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Capacity Development Workshops

2012 - 2013 Workshop Schedule (See workshop descriptions below)

 

  Date Workshop Location Click to Register
1 Sept 12-13, 2012 The Politics of Ethical Decision Making for Elected Leaders Winnipeg, MB CANCELLED
2 Sept 26-27, 2012 Developing an Effective Management Action Plan Thunder Bay, ON COMPLETED
3 Oct 11, 2012 Demystifying Finance for Elected Leaders Calgary, AB CANCELLED
4 Oct 24-25, 2012 The Politics of Ethical Decision Making for Elected Leaders Vancouver, BC COMPLETED
5 Nov 6-7, 2012 Values and Ethics in the Aboriginal Workplace Enoch, AB COMPLETED
6 Nov 8, 2012 Demystifying Finance for Elected Leaders Winnipeg, MB CANCELLED
7 Dec 5-6, 2012 Developing an Effective Management Action Plan Winnipeg, MB SOLD OUT
8 Le 6 décembre 2012 Démystifier les finances pour les dirigeants élus des Premières Nations Montréal (Québec) ANNULÉ
9 Feb 11-12, 2013 Developing an Effective Management Action Plan Toronto, ON COMPLETED
10 Feb 11-12, 2013 Performance Measurement and Reporting in First Nations Toronto, ON COMPLETED
11 Feb 11-12, 2013 Values and Ethics in the Aboriginal Workplace Toronto, ON COMPLETED
12 Feb 11-12, 2013 The Politics of Ethical Decision Making for Elected Leaders Toronto, ON CANCELLED
13 Feb 11-12, 2013 Effective Planning, Creation and Implementation of Your Trust Toronto, ON COMPLETED
14 Feb 12, 2013 Demystifying Finance for Elected Leaders Toronto, ON COMPLETED
15 Feb 12, 2013 Human Resources Management Essentials: Module 1 - Professional Practice
 Toronto, ON COMPLETED
15 March 13-14, 2013 Performance Measurement and Reporting in First Nations Vancouver, BC Click Here
16 March 20-21, 2013 The Politics of Ethical Decision Making for Elected Leaders Saskatoon, SK CANCELLED
17 Le 20-21 mars 2013 Le processus décisionnel éthique pour les dirigeants élus Québec (Québec) ANNULÉ
For Aboriginal Management

Human Resources Management Essentials: Module 1 - Professional Practice - 1 Day Workshoparrow

AFOA Canada has developed a series of four one day modules focusing on Human Resources Management Essentials for those working in Aboriginal organizations. Module 1 provides an overview of the professional practice of Human Resources Management which contributes to the success of the organization. The workshop covers the following topics: working in Aboriginal environments; developing an environment that fosters effective working relationships; ethical practices; managing human resources contractors and specialists; managing client relationships; legal and legislative requirements relevant to human resources functions; and governance and compliance with legal requirements.

Registration is limited to 25 participants. Register now! For more information call AFOA at 1-866-722-2362 ext. 117.

 

Performance Measurement and Reporting in First Nations - 2 Day Workshop arrow

This workshop is the first to be offered in Canada that tackles the issue of performance reporting in First Nations. The focus is on reporting on performance to community members NOT funders. The workshop explores core principles of performance reporting in First Nation environments and draws the link to financial reporting.

Participants will be introduced to the Aboriginal Performance Wheel. Issues examined include: the appropriate level and frequency of reporting; identifying the important aspects of performance; identifying the kinds of information to be reported; and, preparing reports on goals.

Registration is limited to 25 participants. Register now! For more information call AFOA at 1-866-722-2362 ext. 117.

 

Developing an Effective Management Action Plan in First Nations - 2 Day Workshop arrow

In April 2011 Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) revised its Intervention Policy to create a new Default Prevention and Management Policy and developed new tools to support this Policy including the Management Action Plan (MAP) which replaces the Remedial Management Plan (RMP). A Management Action Plan (MAP) is a comprehensive planning initiative to help First Nation communities and Aboriginal organizations tackle underlying causes of defaults in funding agreements. This workshop reviews the new Default Prevention and Management Policy and the Directive on Default Management, and examines the MAP Process, and the evolution from RMP to MAP. It also provides a General Planning Guide based on a strategic planning process. Many workshop participants attend this workshop, not only because they may be required to develop a Management Action Plan or are in a form of intervention, but also to broaden their management skills and learn how to avoid intervention.

Registration is limited to 25 participants. Register now! For more information call AFOA at 1-866-722-2362 ext. 117.


An Introduction to Comprehensive Community Planning in First Nations - 2 Day Workshop arrow

Many communities throughout the country are undertaking Comprehensive Community Planning (CCP) in an effort to improve their economic base while asserting their independence and ownership of community resources. Comprehensive Community Planning is a holistic process that enables a community to build a roadmap to sustainability, self-sufficiency and improved governance capacity. It is a new approach to planning, where the process is steered by the community rather than a small group or committee. Planning is an important tool on the road to self-governance and building capacity in First Nations communities. Each community requires a unique approach to planning that can be adapted to their culture and traditions – it can help individual First Nations make a positive difference in addressing specific issues in their community.

Using best practices and case studies this workshop focuses on: history and evolution of CCP; exploring indigenous principles; and current models and insights from First Nations who have completed CCP.

Registration is limited to 25 participants. Register now! For more information call AFOA at 1-866-722-2362 ext. 117.

 

Strategic Planning in First Nations - 2 Day Workshop arrow

Strategic planning is key to the success of every Aboriginal organization and community. Everything you wanted to know about strategic planning is covered in this 2 day workshop. How do you identify your strategic vision? How do you identify resources required and performance indicators? What is the process that is followed? How do you evaluate and report on your strategic plan? These and more issues will be explored in this workshops.

Registration is limited to 25 participants. Register now! For more information call AFOA at 1-866-722-2362 ext. 117.


Values and Ethics in the Aboriginal Workplace- 2 Day Workshop arrow

This 2 day workshop will provide participants with a broad understanding of maintaining good values and ethics within the Aboriginal workplace. The workshop will examine business ethics and how they relate to Aboriginal traditions. Participants will learn the fundamentals of human resource management of human resource management and how to develop a code of ethics for you organization. How does the issue of ethics impact governance and accountability and the increasing number of community and economic development activities?

Registration is limited to 25 participants. Register now! For more information call AFOA at 1-866-722-2362 ext. 117.

 

An Introduction to Community Economic Development - 2 Day Workshop arrow

Increasingly, economic development is being recognized as a way for Aboriginal governments and communities to increase their wealth, citizen employment, and community pride, and to build the influence and financial resources needed for other important goals. Economic development can be approached in many different ways and it can all seem overwhelming. This workshop provides you with an understanding of what economic development is and encourages discussion about best practices and lessons learned, and provides the basic tools needed to begin your own successful strategic economic development planning process.

Registration is limited to 25 participants. Register now! For more information call AFOA at 1-866-722-2362 ext. 117.

 

Effective Planning, Creation and Implementation of Your Trust- 2 Day Workshop arrow

More and more Aboriginal communities are creating Trusts as a result of the increasing number of specific claim settlements, impact and economic benefit agreements and other resources sharing opportunities. The resulting increase in wealth accumulation is placing tremendous responsibility upon leadership and management staff to create effective Trust structures. This workshop is designed to raise awareness and understanding amongst Community Officials about the following topics: how to plan a Trust; increased community readiness; understanding the complexities in creating a Trust; ways to create the most appropriate Trust structure for your needs; key areas in implementing a Trust; and suitable investment strategies that meet the needs of the Trust today and for future generations.

Registration is limited to 25 participants. Register now! For more information call AFOA at 1-866-722-2362 ext. 117.

 

For Elected Leaders

Demystifying Finance for Elected Leaders - 1 Day Workshop arrow

Understanding financial information is one of the key challenges facing elected officials in Aboriginal communities. Elected officials are an important element of the financial governance of any Nation. They must understand and interpret financial reports and information to make key decisions with significant impact on their communities. The workshop focuses on 1) building financial literacy and 2) developing financial capacity. Topics covered include:

  • Building Financial Literacy
  • Roles and responsibilities of First Nation leadership in context of financial management
  • Basic financial accounting concepts and reporting
  • Role of budgets in helping elected leaders manage community funds
  • Understand the importance of and the tools available to achieve accountability and transparency
  • The federal contribution process and the importance of risk

Registration is limited to 25 participants. Register now! For more information call AFOA at 1-866-722-2362 ext. 117.

 

The Politics of Ethical Decision Making for Elected Leaders - 2 Day Workshop arrow

This two day workshop was designed specifically for elected Aboriginal leaders and focuses on the vital role that ethics plays in their daily lives and the importance of ethical leadership in an Aboriginal setting. The workshop examines rights, responsibilities and ethics, how they interact, and how each influences how Aboriginal elected officials carry out their day to day jobs. It looks at common situations faced in elected positions where ethical issues are at stake, examines critical questions leaders must ask when wanting to make an ethical decision and outlines the essentials for creating an ethical work environment.
Topics to be covered include:

  • What is meant when discussing ethics, values, morals and ethical behaviour in relation to governments, and what unique ethical situations are faced by elected officials?
  • Ways of regulating ethical behaviour and the importance of a Code of Ethics.
  • A focus on ethics in Aboriginal settings and the importance of strong leadership in creating an ethical Nation.
  • What are the differences between rights and responsibilities, and the significance to Aboriginal leaders of making decisions using rights as the measure?
  • A framework for making ethical decisions.
  • Common reoccurring ethical dilemmas that elected officials face on a regular basis.

Registration is limited to 25 participants. Register now! For more information call AFOA at 1-866-722-2362 ext. 117.

 

For Financial Officers

Reporting on Tangible Capital Assets - 1 Day Workshop arrow

Effective January 1, 2009, all First Nations will be required to account for tangible capital assets on their statement of financial position. First Nations will have to report capital assets on their financial statements at historical cost and amortized over the assets’ estimated useful life on the statement of operations. This is as a result of INAC’s requirement for First Nations to report using the Common Government Reporting Model beginning January 1, 2009.

This is a significant change to the way First Nations prepare and present their financial statements.

To help First Nations meet this challenge, AFOA has developed a workshop focusing on guidelines for capitalization and amortization of capital assets.

This workshop is intended for financial staff working within an Aboriginal Community.

There are no scheduled workshops on TCA, however Contact AFOA at 1-866-722-2362 for delivery of this workshop in your community.

 

Converting Financial Statements - 1 Day Workshop arrow

This one day workshop is a practical hands-on workshop that AFOA developed to provide insight into the changes in First Nation Financial reporting and the Common Government Reporting Model.

Topics include:

  • Identifying the changes that must take place in First Nations financial reporting systems
  • Developing a list of new ledger accounts
  • Working through existing financial information and beginning the process of conversion
  • Recognizing that revised financial statements look like.

There are no scheduled workshops on Converting Financial Statements, however Contact AFOA at 1-866-722-2362 for delivery of this workshop in your community.