Dear Usha,
The Canadian Society of Corporate Secretaries (CSCS) strives to provide its members with the tools necessary to become expert in their roles as corporate secretaries, governance practioners, or shareholder communication services professionals and to strengthen the corporate secretary's profile in the organizations.
The increasing focus on good company practices, effective shareholder communications, timely disclosure, and effective board administration makes it clear that now is the time for a strong Canadian association which effectively represents the interests of the professionals that work towards ensuring good corporate governance.
We are pleased to present the January Issue of the CSCS E-Newsletter.
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President's Message |
 Happy 2009!
Here's a quick update on what we've been up to since our last issue.
In December, the CSCS Board of Directors met in Toronto for a strategic planning session which resulted in the drafting of a 3-year vision (2009-2011) and a strategic plan for the organization. In these financial times, it is more important than ever for Corporate Secretaries and other governance professionals to have a key resource to draw from - for access to expertise, best practices, and a network of like-minded professionals - to keep a finger on the pulse of the profession, regulatory change and new issues, and to be able to continue to draw the key advantages that a membership with CSCS can offer. Our strategic plan focuses on the importance of maintaining and enhancing the value of membership with CSCS by delivering on all of these priorities. We will reveal highlights of the key objectives as well as the short and long term strategic imperatives in our February newsletter.
While most of you are immersing yourselves in proxy circulars, CSCS staff has been hard at work on our 2009 annual conference in St. John's Newfoundland, August 23-26th. We are very excited with how the program is shaping-up, the enthusiasm from our sponsors, and the incredible activities that we have lined-up for this coming August! This year's conference will focus on offering key tools and best practices for corporate governance professionals ' to stay the course' and increase their effectiveness in times of risk. We plan to add a good dose of Maritime flare, coastal hospitality, local flavour, culture and entertainment as well as stunning sea and landscapes. This year, for the first time ever at a CSCS conference, we will offer a family/companion social program so think of bringing your close ones along to share the experience with you! Start planning your trip to St. John's now!
In this edition of the newsletter, our monthly contribution from Dirk Schlimm shifts our focus to The Corporate Secretary's Role in Board and Director Evaluation. We hope you will enjoy this article and we welcome your feedback on this and any other content included in this monthly e-bulletin.
We also have regulatory updates including news on the latest developments with the CSA review of NI 54-101, the OSC's recently formed NI 54-101 Advisory Committee and Notice-and-Access Technical Working Group. Among other news, the Expert Panel on Securities Regulation released its Final Report and Recommendations on January 12th. CSCS has been following the developments of this Panel closely as well as taking part in the consultation process. A link to this Final Report and an accompanying draft Securities Act is provided. As well, the CCGG have issued their Draft Principles of Executive Compensationfor comment.
Have a very productive February!
Lynn Beauregard
CSCS President
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CSCS 11th Annual Corporate Governance Conference
MARK YOUR CALENDAR! |
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CSCS celebrates its 11th Annual Corporate Governance Conference at
The Fairmont Newfoundland in St. John's, Newfoundland
August 23 - 26, 2009 (Sunday - Wednesday)
Click here to view Sponsorship Package |
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Special Feature
The Corporate Secretary's Role in Board and Director Evaluation
By Dirk Schlimm
Conducting (and acting on) board and individual director evaluations have been identified among the top activities to improve overall board performance.
This is the third article in a series on the "value added role" of corporate secretaries in the changing world of board governance.
Board and Director Performance Evaluation
All directors, management, and employees should be evaluated on an annual basis. In this context, corporations should consider a three-tier director evaluation mechanism
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CSCS Event Speaking Opportunities
CSCS is currently putting together its calendar of events for the year, as well our annual conference program agenda. We are always looking for relevant case studies and expertise. If you have first-hand experience implementing, managing, or developing innovative governance process, or have valuable best practices to impart to your colleagues at CSCS, we would like to hear from you. Email us at info@cscs.org
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Institute of Corporate Directors
Governance in Tumultuous Times: Insights from Experienced Directors
Thursday, February 19, 2009
For more information, click here
Shifting Sands: Directors and the Financial Crisis: A Special Series of Events
Session I - Wednesday, February 25, 2009
For more information click here
Session II - Tuesday, April 14, 2009
For more information click here
Session III - Thursday, May 7, 2009
For more information click here
For more information on the Shifting Sands series and to register click here
Back to School: School Boards - Lessons for NFP Boards
March 4, 2009
For more information click here
Not-For-Profit Governance Essentials Program: As a Director on a Not-For-Profit board, you recognize that effective governance is vital to making good organizations great. Did you know that your fiduciary duties and liabilities are individual responsibilities? You have the same level of accountability as a Director of a public or private company. For more information, please visit www.icd.ca
Directors Financial Literacy: As a Board Director, it's your responsibility to understand your organization's financial reports. Why? Because whether you sit on a public, private, crown or Not-For-Profit Board, you can be held accountable for errors in financial reporting and disclosure.
The Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators in Canada - Quebec Branch In Collaboration with the Canadian Society of Corporate Secretaries
Invites you to attend a lunch presentation on: "SHAREHOLDER MEETING PREPAREDNESS '09 - the new reality: What you need to know to prepare yourself, your management and your board!" Guest Speakers: Brad Allen, Senior Vice-President & Fred Enns, Partner Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at noon at University Club of Montreal 2047 Mansfield Street in Montreal Click here to view flyer in English and French
Directors' Education & Accreditation Program - Toronto (3 Days) The Directors' Education & Accreditation Program contains everything an aspiring director needs to know: governance, financial disclosure and reporting, enterprise risk management and strategy. Excellent value is achieved through concentrated delivery, reasonable tuition, and the widely recognized designation of Accredited Director ( Acc.Dir.) As this is a rigorous program that is completed in three days, pre-reading is required. Tuition includes all materials and meals. Apply now for the first session of 2009 (in Toronto) on March 9-11.
Lunch n' Learn: CSA's Proposed New Governance Regulations
Fred Enns and Janis Riven
Toronto, March 10, 2008, 12 noon - 2 pm
The Canadian Securities Administrators have proposed fundamental changes to the current governance regulations (NP 58-201 and NI 58-101), and are suggesting a move from the current "comply-or-explain," guideline-based regime to a straight principles-based reporting scheme. In this two hour, interactive Lunch n' Learn, you will have an opportunity to discuss the proposed changes with Fred Enns of Borden Ladner Gervais and Janis Riven, a leading independent governance consultant. Attend now to contribute your views for the Institute's response to CSA's proposal. See Chartered Secretary Canada's home page news section for more information. ( www.icsacanada.org) Directors' Education & Accreditation Program - Vancouver (3 Days)
March 30 - April 1, 2009 Essentials of Corporate Secretaryship- Toronto
April 23, 2009
Essentials of Corporate Law Friday, March 20
This workshop will include discussion on various areas of law relevant to shareholder rights and liabilities, operations of companies, bylaws, qualifications, duties and powers of directors, conflict of interest and more. Please note that this workshop has been rescheduled to Friday, March 20. Register
A Capital Markets Institute/Rotman School of Management Special Invitation
Leadership Discussion on the Current State of the Asset-Backed Commercial Paper Crisis
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 21st, 2009
St. Andrews Club and Conference Centre
150 King Street West, 27th Floor, Toronto, Ontario Click here for more information
Conference Board of Canada / Spencer Stuart Awards
2009 National Awards in Governance - Celebrate the best in corporate governance
February 10, 2009 - The Carlu, Toronto
Click here for more information
Canadian Investor Relations Institute
Executive Insight: Economic uncertainty, market volatility
Essentials of Investor Relations
Monday, February 23, 2009 to Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Click here for more information
Greening the IRO - Seizing the IR Leadership Opportunity2009 22nd Annual CIRI Conference
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
22nd Annual Investor Relations Conference
June 14 - 16
CIRI's 22nd Annual Conference moves to the Fairmont Empress, in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia. Come join us and hear industry leaders and IR experts offer their views and advice during dozens of breakout sessions, roundtables, workshops, panel discussions and presentations. Click here for more information and to register for this event. | |
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In This Issue - January 2009 |
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Advertising Opportunities |
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Are you interested in advertising your company on CSCS's website and/or monthly e-newsletter?
For just $300.00 (plus GST) a year, visibility can be yours on either the CSCS website or the monthly e-newsletter which goes out to our members and our network of contacts.
If you are interested in advertising in both for increased visibility, a package rate of $50.00 per month, or an annual charge of $500.00 is available.
You can also post a press release or an advertorial article on the monthly e-newsletter.
The fees are:
- $150 per banner ad per newsletter, or $1,000 for all issues in the year
- $350 for an advertorial or advertising article
CSCS's monthly e-newsletter has a circulation of over 5,000 including our members and other governance professionals. If you are interested in advertising, or for further inquiries, please email info@cscs.org |
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Your feedback is important to us.
We want the CSCS E-Newsletter to be an invaluable resource to you.
To help us improve this service to members, we would appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to give us some feedback.
Tell us what you think of the E-Newsletter, what other information you would like to see included. Reply to info@cscs.org. Thank you. |
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CSCS Welcomes New Members |
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Welcome to the following individuals who have joined in January 2009!
Jennifer Burton
Ontario Pension Board
Anthony Coulthard
ICICI Bank Canada
Paul Edmonds
Ontario Pension Board
Darrell Ewert
ShawCor Ltd.
Jennifer Hendren
CNIB
Nadine Morrison
Inmet Mining Corporation
Irene So
Francis St. Hilaire
Cangene |
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To learn more about our membership benefits visit www.cscs.org.
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Sylvain Aubry
Corporate Secretary
Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Laval, QC
Mary Batoff
Vice President, Legal & Secretary
First Uranium Corporation
Toronto, ON
Karen Dunfee
Corporate Secretary
Teck Cominco Limited
Vancouver, BC
Sylvia Groves (Chair)Assistant Secretary
Daryn MacEachern (Secretary)
Assistant Corporate Secretary
Petro-Canada
Calgary, AB
David Masse (Vice Chair)
Assistant Corporate Secretary
CGI Group Inc.
Montreal, QC
Patricia Parisotto
Corporate Secretary
Discovery Capital Management Corp Vancouver, BC
Laurel Savoy
VP Trust Services
CIBC Mellon Trust
Toronto, ON
Joan Wilson (Treasurer)
VP & Corporate Secretary
Sun Life Financial Inc.
Toronto, ON
Lynn Beauregard
President
CSCS
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Please login to www.cscs.org to view recent Job Postings.
Executive Corporate Secretary, Moncton NB
Atlantic Lottery Corp
posted January 16, 2009 |
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