Help for Small and Rural Charities - The Charities File: On Board Launches
Website and Training Events for Board Members

OTTAWA , Sept. 15 /CNW/ - Small and rural charities are often overwhelmed by the paperwork and keeping up with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) regulations. As volunteer board members change, transferring the knowledge and the files can be a challenge. The Charities File: On Board has launched a web-site and will be hosting a series of training events throughout Canada to help board members of small and rural charities.

Safeguarding an organization's charitable status is essential for people who are passionate about their causes and communities. In 2007/2008, 1714 charities lost their charitable status for many reasons including failure to file the T3010 Annual Information Return. They can no longer issue charitable receipts nor receive funding from charitable foundations, not to mention the potential embarrassment.

CRA recognizes the dilemmas faced by volunteers of small and rural charities. It has funded The Charities File: On Board, among other projects, to help build capacity and assist with annual compliance reporting by creating training opportunities for the sector. We have developed four strategies:

    
    The Treasurer's Chest offers tools and templates for treasurers,
    bookkeepers, and finance committees

    The Fundraiser's Receipt Book has information, tips, and the latest CRA
    fundraising guidelines

    Agenda Gems provides a year-round calendar of seasonal agenda items for
    boards and annual meetings

    The Shoe Box contains the lists and rationale for storing and
    transferring key organizational documents
    

Training sessions delivered via webinars, telelearning and local in-person workshops are now being offered around the country. The first workshop was held in Whitehorse, NWT in July 2009 and workshops will be held from Cape Breton Island, N.S. and Gander, NFLD to Thompson, MB and Prince George , BC, and in northern communities in Inuvik and Iqaluit. Check our website for the workshop nearest you.

Visit The Charities File: On Board www.thecharitiesfile.ca for more information or to register.

The Charities File: On Board, a joint project of the Centre for Voluntary Sector Research and Development at Carleton University, the Community Services Council Newfoundland and Labrador, the Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations, and the Voluntary Organizations Consortium of BC funded by the Canada Revenue Agency. For more information or to schedule an interview please call 613-520-2600 ext. 1835 or email [email protected]

For further information: Paula Speevak Sladowski, [phone] ext. 1835, [email protected]