The Canadian Society of Corporate Secretaries (CSCS) engages with Canadian securities regulators to ensure our members' interests are represented. We have now responded on behalf of our members to the request for comments on the proposed revisions to 51-102F6 - Statement of Executive Compensation.  Click below to view our response.

• Proposed Changes to Form 51-102F6 (51-102F6)
• 51-102F6 Survey Results from CSCS

The Role of the Corporate Secretary In Recruiting, Orienting, Educating and Evaluating Directors
 

Have you ever wanted to know how other Corporate Secretaries manage their role in board effectiveness?

In a time of rapid change and intense stakeholder scrutiny, this "essentials" workshop will let you see, hear and explore key tools for managing your role with director. Spend an interactive ½-day gaining insight on both the practical and legal requirements you need to be aware of when:

• Recruiting directors - How to develop and implement a skills matrix that takes into account diversity

• Orienting directors - Explore the key facets of an effective orientation process

• Educating directors - Learn best practices to support ongoing director education

• Evaluating directors - Find tools and techniques for developing a value-adding board evaluation

Registration Now Open!

2011 Membership Renewal

• If you require an additional invoice please email the Director, Membership & Administration
• Individual Members can renew online by clicking here. (requires log-in)
• Corporate Members, please email the Director, Membership & Administration
• Members who haven't paid by March 30^th will be removed from the membership roster.

Join an association which is the voice of Corporate Secretaries and governance professionals in Canada

CSCS is pleased to invite individuals and organizations dealing with Corporate Governance, Corporate Secretarial Duties, Not-For-Profit and Charitable Boards, Management/Board of Directors, Securities Regulations and Trading Practices, Proxy Solicitation and Shareholder Activities, Investor Relations and to become a member. Membership is open to Corporate Secretaries, Assistant Secretaries, Corporate Counsel, CEOs, CFOs, Controllers, Shareholder Communications & Investor Relations Professionals, Corporate Directors, Chairmen, Risk & Compliance Officers and NFP Executive Directors among others.
 

Membership is at two levels: Individual Members and Corporate Members.

Annual Membership Fees for the year 2011:

• Individuals: $475 (+ tax) per year

• Corporate:  $1350 (+ tax) per year for up to 5 individuals within an organization. Additional membership can be added to the bundle at a rate of $300 (+ tax) (per person per year)

How do CSCS Members Participate and Benefit?

• Advocacy: CSCS serves as a consultative body for businesses, regulatory and government agencies. A strong voice to the stock exchanges and securities commissions nationally.

• Strategic Alliances: CSCS is allied with international bodies and positioned to provide members with a global perspective on corporate governance.

• Information Resources: Being effective means being informed. Members receive relevant and timely information.

• Networking: Members have many opportunities to meet and exchange ideas and experiences with their colleagues. CSCS Membership Directory is an invaluable resource and networking tool.

• Professional Development: Enhance your skills at seminars, meetings and conferences designed to keep you informed. Continuing education provides you with the tools to advance your career.

• Corporate Secretary's Guide: Provides information corporate secretaries need daily. Members receive a substantial discount.

To join visit our website www.cscs.org or contact us by email: info@cscs.org

To view responses to previous Request for Assistance, please click here or login and click on Members Only Section > Request for Assistance Responses.
 

CCGG, representing the interests of institutional investors in Canada, has prepared a set of principles for boards to consider when structuring their own compensation plans to ensure that their interests are aligned with those of the equity owners of the company.
 

This document is available here for your review and also on our website at www.ccgg.ca.
 

If you have any questions, please contact Stephen Griggs at (416) 868-3585 and at sgriggs@ccgg.ca or Tony D'Onofrio at (416) 363-8253 and at tdonofrio@ccgg.ca. 

CCGG first issued a policy on majority voting in August 2006, when few Canadian issuers had adopted a majority voting policy. Since then, most large Canadian issuers have voluntarily adopted either the form of policy recommended by CCGG or a modified version of it.

The CCGG board has approved an updated policy, available here, which provides the context to majority voting, its level of adoption to date and an updated form of majority voting policy for boards to consider.

While we have made significant progress, a number of S&P TSX Index companies have not adopted majority voting and are the focus of CCGG's October 2010 strategy for majority voting. We have initially focused on TSX 60 issuers without majority voting and are now turning our focus to the next 50 issuers. If you would like to discuss our strategy, please contact Tony D'Onofrio at tdonorio@ccgg.ca or 416-363-8253.

If you have any questions on the policy please contact Stephen Griggs at sgriggs@ccgg.ca or 416-868-3585.

Whenever a new person volunteers to serve on a board or a committee they are faced with the question: what do I do now? I've watched new board or committee members over the years - they often sit back and listen rather than actively contribute during their first few meetings. And I suppose that's a natural human response to finding oneself in a new and somewhat uncomfortable territory.

Assessing Governance in Not-for-Profit Organizations

The Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants
 
Evaluation of the performance of the board of directors, its committees and individual directors is now commonplace among corporate boards, as most corporate directors recognize the important benefits assessment conveys in terms of accountability and improved performance. However, the practice is not as widespread among boards of not-for-profit organizations (NFPs). This may be due to the volunteer status of many NFP directors, the absence of regulations requiring board assessment for not-for-profits, or the fact that a significant number of NFPs do not have autonomous control of their board composition..

How do we determine who should sit on our board of directors?

The Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants 

Board recruiting is an ongoing challenge for many not-for-profit organizations. The effectiveness of the board has a major impact on the functioning and sustainability of the organization. Directors must collectively have the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to oversee and advise the management of the organization. Directors must work well together, but there should be a creative and healthy tension that comes from the constructive interaction of people with different backgrounds.

Are you interested in advertising your company on CSCS's website and/or monthly e-newsletter?

For just $300.00 (plus HST) annualy, visibility can be yours on either the CSCS's website or the monthly e-newsletter which goes out to our members and our network of contacts.

For those interested in advertising in both to increase their visibility, a package rate of $50.00 (+ HST) per month, or an annual charge of $500.00 (+ HST) is available.  

Press release or advertorials can also be posted on the monthly e-newsletter. Rates are $150 (+ HST) per banner ad per newsletter, or $1,000 (+ HST) per year. $350 for an advertorial or advertising article.

CSCS's monthly enewsletter has a circulation of over 5,000 including members and other governance professionals. For advertising, or for further inquiries, please email info@cscs.org.

Chirag Bansi
IntraLinks Inc.
 

Laurel Savoy
VP Trust Services
Canadian Stock Transfer Company Inc.

Lynn Beauregard (President)

Canadian Society of Corporate Secretaries

Click here for more details

Please login to www.cscs.org to view recent Job Postings.
 

- Advocacy

- Networking and Contacts

- Membership Directory

- Information Resources

- Professional Development

- Research Library

- Access to Employment  Opportunities

To learn more about our membership benefits visit www.cscs.org.

Canadian Society of Corporate Secretaries

SAVE THE DATE - 2011's First BC Chapter Event!  

"Deconstructing SEDI: unravelling the mysteries of Insider Reporting" 

Date: May 26, 2011
Location: TBA

Time: Morning hours 

For complete list of CSCS events click here

Canadian Investor Relations Institute

Brown Governance

Institute of Corporate Directors

Chartered Secretaries Canada offers publications that may be of interest to CSCS Members

The first guide in their Practical Guides for Strategic Governance series -Understanding Your Board of Directors,  is now available in English for $19.95.

Canadian Corpotate Secretary's Guide

CSCS's reduced subscription fees for the Canadian Corporate Secretary's Guide:

 + applicable taxes
 

To order, contact the CSCS National Office by email at  info@cscs.org.