Summary of Meetings: Charities and Not-For-Profit Law
Number of Meetings Held:7
September 8, 2022
Registration Count Online: 19 In-Person: 9
Guest Speakers: Rhys Volkenant
Meeting Title/Topic: Case Update & Social
Synopsis: Rhys Volkenant discussed relevant changes to law in charities and non-for-profit sector via recent caselaw. Topics covered were membership challenges under the latest version of the BC Societies Act. Followed by an in-person social.
October 20, 2022
Registration Count: 40
Guest Speakers: Stephen Hsia
Meeting Title/Topic: Qualifying Disbursements: A New Way for Charities to Give
Synopsis: Stephen Hsia, of Miller Thompson LLP, discussed the new Income Tax Act rules governing "qualifying disbursements". These rules offer registered charities a new way to provide funds to individuals and organizations that are not qualified donees.
November 17, 2022
Registration Count: 47
Guest Speakers: Anita Johnson and Kristine Del Rosario from Smythe LLP
Meeting Title/Topic: Understanding Charity and NPO Financial Statements and Tax Returns
Synopsis: Topics covered: Gift acceptance policies and/or ethics, non-charitable trusts, and crypto currency.
February 16, 2023
Registration Count: 76
Guest Speakers: Yolanda Benoit and Kate Bake-Paterson
Meeting Title/Topic: Powers of Attorney and Charitable Gifts – Tips, Traps and Red Flags
Synopsis: Yolanda and Kate discussed powers of attorney and how they can be used to facilitate charitable giving, as well as steps that should be taken by charities when receiving gifts from a representative of an incapable donor or reviewing the accounts of a residual estate in which there was an active POA.
March 30, 2023
Registration Count: 27
Guest Speakers: Jodi Simkin, former President of the BC Museums Association (BCMA) and co-chair of the BCMA Indigenous Advisory Committee
Meeting Title/Topic: Repatriation: Finding a Pathway Home
Synopsis: This session covered the many challenges and complications facing Indigenous communities wanting to see their cultural treasures returned through the process of repatriation.
May 18, 2023
Registration Count: 56
Guest Speakers: Kristy Colpron, Samantha Krzywonos, and Lara Wilson
Meeting Title/Topic: Charter Claims and Petitions
Synopsis: Kristy Colpron, Samantha Krzywonos, and Lara Wilson discussed the needs of a charity, gift interpretation of an executor, negotiating the gift, donors tax expectation, navigating complicated donor wishes, and much more!
June 15, 2023
Registration Count: 21
Guest Speakers: Sarah Blanco
Meeting Title/Topic: EDI in the Workplace
Synopsis: Sarah Blanco provided an update on the best practices and legal considerations with respect to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.