Foundations: Human Resources, Team Building, and Leadership

 

Having a solid mission statement to guide, and passion to energize your work is essential, but what about the day-to-day effort of building an organization that operates smoothly?

Running an effective organization takes good management and resilience, especially when working in the HIV and hepatitis C communities.

Although not exhaustive, this page pulls together some resources that are particular to the HIV and hepatitis C sectors and may help with the day-to-day running of your organization or group. At the bottom of the page you’ll find  directions to groups whose sole mission is to provide this kind of organizational support.

 

Human Resources – General

In this section we make available some of the public HR documents and templates that have been developed at PAN, and can be adapted for your use:

Contractor or Employee? This is an important distinction as it impacts the role and responsibilities of both the incoming worker, but also the organization.  This is explained well in the UBC link, and also in our Peer Engagement Policy document below.

Union Staff – If your organization works with union staff, the Health Employers Association of British Columbia (HEABC) has profiles of various BC health care worker groups and links to organizations and information related to health care, labour relations and human resources.

10 ways to make executive leadership searches and transitions better and more equitable
If you are involved with leadership transition and hiring, here are a few things to consider, from looking at organizational structure, what qualifications you do (and don’t) consider; to who gets a voice in hiring process.

Criminal Record Checks

PAN has a moral, ethical and legal responsibility to conduct Criminal Record AND Vulnerable Sector Checks, as many individuals who come into contact with our organization are vulnerable persons. Criminal Record Checks and Vulnerable Sector Checks are mandated by the government of BC. An existing criminal record does not mean someone can’t work and/or volunteer, and people shouldn’t be alarmed if there are charges in their histories. It means their application will be flagged by reviewers to get some more details to see if the charges would make their work duties incompatible with vulnerable people. In providing equal opportunity to people with lived experience, PAN will look at this component individually and will not adhere to a blanket response if past charges are revealed.

 

Criminal Record Check info from BC government

PAN Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Check Policies and Procedures.

Criminal Record Search Request Letter (sample) – Here is a sample version of a letter for new employees to take to their local police station.

 

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors has a legal and fiduciary responsibility to the organization and so we have developed agreements and job descriptions for them, including specific duties for the officers:

 

Engaging and Supporting Peer Workers and Volunteers

PAN Policies and Procedures for Peer work – This policies and procedures document is rooted in the principles of Greater/Meaningful Involvement of People with AIDS (GIPA/MIPA) and Nothing About Us Without Us 

Peer Worker Support and Compensation – this page features a number of resources from PAN and other sources.

PAN Volunteer Agreement – As talked about in our policy document, volunteers are requested to sign this among other documents.

PAN’s Positive Leadership Development Institute – For people living with HIV (PLHIV), this is a great leadership program including core principles and advanced training.

 

Leadership and Organizational Development

There are businesses dedicated to helping build stronger not-for-profit organizations. Check for various options: workshops, webinars (live and on-demand) and courses for management and staff teams.

Charity Village – This is not just a place to post or check for jobs, Charity Village also presents some great educational material. Check the Active Learning and Knowledge Centre tabs. Because they are national, lots is available online and is free of charge.

Vantage Point – courses, workshops and webinars on all kinds of workplace development related topics. Vancouver-based, but some things are available online. Fee for service.

Are You Ready to Be A Manager? 5 Questions to Ask Yourself

 

Program Planning and Management

PAN Critical Incident Form – It is crucial that when a critical incident happens in the workplace or project location it is reported fully, quickly and with any witnesses noted.

Does your organization have emergency plans in place? If so, great, and if not, you may wish to look at some of the resources on our Emergency Preparedness page.

 

Fund Development

Browse the PAN fund development resource for government, corporate, academic and foundation funding opportunities. This list is not exhaustive. We encourage PAN members to research additional opportunities (and please let us know so we can update this list for the benefit of all). Available upon request as a spreadsheet

The McConnell Foundation, a grant finding database

Fundraising section of the Charity Village Knowledge Centre

 

Communications and Media

Conference Call Etiquette 101  – If you’re engaged in Board, committee or even staff meetings, it’s almost impossible to avoid a conference call. Not being able to see your colleagues cuts off significant information we take for granted in person. Learn how to get (and give) the most in teleconferences.

Email Tips: Mastering & Mistressing the Art of Virtual Communications – How to use email most effectively withing a fast paced environment.

Simple Media Release form that you can customize for your organization if you’re planning to record or photograph your event to get permission from the participants.

PAN Social Media Guidelines – PAN’s social media practices.

YouthCO Inclusive Language – Some tips from YouthCO to create safe, non-stigmatizing or discriminating communications.

 

Organizations Contemplating Closure or Dissolution

Closing the Doors with Grace – Slide Deck and Terminal Stage Tip Sheet – These excellent resources came from Vantage Point’s webinar with Jennifer Bonnett, from the Nonprofit Lifecycles Institute.

How to Dissolve a BC Society – If your society has decided to cease operations, you may dissolve the society by filing a Dissolution by Request application.

Factors to consider when closing a society – This is an older document from Alberta, but it raises awareness of many aspects to consider when closing.

BC Societies Act – Part 10 — Liquidation, Dissolution and Restoration

Expenses to consider and an Expense Budget template when considering dissolution/closure.

 

Other Great Resources

Ontario Provincial Resource for ASO’s in Human Resources (OPRAH) is a program offered through the Ontario AIDS Network (OAN) to member agencies and affiliates funded by the AIDS Bureau, but most of the material on the OPRAH Toolkit can be accessed without a user name and password and is freely available.  Topics include: Labour Relations; Human Resources; Legislation; Benefits & Compensation; Human Rights; and Health & Safety.  Note that some resources are Ontario specific.

CBR and Evaluation Resource Hub – Although focused around children and youth, their collection of resources is designed to help a range of practitioners and organizational leaders use the best available evidence to provide the best possible care. They promote evidence-informed service planning and delivery and support practical research.

Volunteer Engagement Toolkit (Vantage Point). Volunteer management is HR too! The toolkit is not HIV-specific, but gives guidelines to volunteer engagement. Visit Vantage Point site to download.