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Capacity Development Workshops

2011 - 2012 Workshop Schedule (See workshop descriptions below)

 

  Date Workshop Location Click to Register
1 June 9-10, 2011 Strategic Planning in First Nations Yellowknife, NT

Cancelled

2 June 23-24, 2011 Performance Measurement and Reporting in First Nations Whitehorse, YT Completed
3 Sept 14-15, 2011 An Introduction to Community Economic Development Enoch, AB Completed
4 le 27 Septembre 2011 Démystifier les finances pour les dirigeants élus des Premières Nations Montréal (Québec)
annulé
5 Oct 4-5, 2011 Performance Measurement and Reporting in First Nations Enoch, AB Completed
6 Oct 19-20, 2011 An Introduction to Comprehensive Community Planning in First Nations Thunder Bay, ON Completed
7 le 25-26 Octobre 2011

Le processus décisionnel éthique pour les dirigeants élus

Québec (Québec) annulé
8 Nov 1-2, 2011 Values and Ethics in the Aboriginal Workplace Winnipeg, MB Completed
9 Nov 29-30, 2011 The Politics of Ethical Decision Making for Elected Leaders Enoch, AB Completed
10 Dec 6-7, 2011 Values and Ethics in the Aboriginal Workplace Vancouver, BC Completed
11 Dec 8, 2011 Demystifying Finance for Elected Leaders Moncton, NB Cancelled
12 Jan 18-19, 2012 Developing an Effective Management Action Plan Winnipeg, MB Sold Out
13 Feb 13-14, 2012 Performance Measurement and Reporting in First Nations Saskatoon, SK Click to Register
14 Feb 13-14, 2012 An Introduction to Comprehensive Community Planning in First Nations Saskatoon, SK Cancelled
15 Feb 13-14, 2012 Developing an Effective Management Action Plan Saskatoon, SK Click to Register
16 Feb 13-14, 2012 Values and Ethics in the Aboriginal Workplace Saskatoon, SK Click to Register
17 Feb 13-14, 2012 Strategic Planning in First Nations Saskatoon, SK Cancelled
18 Feb 13-14, 2012 An Introduction to Community Economic Development Saskatoon, SK Cancelled
19 Feb 13-14, 2012 The Politics of Ethical Decision Making for Elected Leaders Saskatoon, SK Click to Register
20 Feb 14, 2012 Demystifying Finance for Elected Leaders Saskatoon, SK Click to Register
21 March 15, 2012 Demystifying Finance for Elected Leaders Vancouver, BC Click to Register
For Aboriginal Management

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.

 

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
  • Opportunities and tools for economic development
  • Duty to consult and accommodate

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 - 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.