All About Boards Series for Social Housing Boards

Strong boards are the foundation of effective nonprofit governance. In the social housing sector, they are also essential to ensuring safe, sustainable, and tenant-centered housing. This customized All About Boards series is designed specifically for Board members of Social Housing Boards in London, Ontario.

Over five interactive sessions, participants will build their knowledge, strengthen their governance practices, and deepen their understanding of how boards can work collaboratively and effectively with property management teams. The series is tailored to the realities and responsibilities of social housing governance under Ontario nonprofit law and the Housing Services Act.

What You Will Learn

In this five-part series, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills you need to lead effectively and support your organization’s mission:

• A clear understanding of board roles, responsibilities, and fiduciary duties
• Tools to strengthen relationships with property management team
• Strategies for effective board recruitment, onboarding, and succession planning
• Financial literacy skills to support oversight and sustainability
• Frameworks for navigating conflict and making inclusive, accountable decisions 

Why Attend?

• Boost Your Confidence: Gain the clarity and confidence needed to thrive in board meetings
• Increase Alignment: Achieve a deeper understanding of board roles versus operational roles for greater organizational alignment
• Engage Your Board: Learn techniques to increase engagement, collaboration, and mission-driven focus
• Build Your Toolkit: Receive resources, templates, and expert insights you can apply immediately

Who Should Attend?

This series is intentionally designed for Board members - both new and experienced - who sit on Social Housing Boards and work with the Municipal Housing Department at the City of London.

Cost to Attend 

The cost to attend these sessions is free for Board Members of Social Housing Nonprofit organizations and is being covered by the City of London. Please note that attendance will be confirmed to ensure the intended audience is registered; if you have any questions around attendance eligibility please reach out to the Housing Division at housing@london.ca.

Our Approach to Learning 

Each session blends plain-language teaching, interactive discussion, and practical tools tailored to the governance realities of social housing boards. We invite questions to support clear understanding of overall Board responsibilities and functions; real-world examples and case studies will help Board Members apply learning directly to their own board work.
 

Series Overview

Session 1: Governance Best Practices for Social Housing Boards

Explore the foundations of nonprofit governance in the housing sector. Learn about organizational types, legal frameworks (ONCA/CNCA, Housing Services Act), board roles and responsibilities, bylaws, policies, and how to run effective board meetings.

Session 2: Navigating Board–Property Management Relationships

Examine the dynamics between boards and property management. Gain tools to build trust, establish clear agreements, strengthen communication, and ensure oversight without micromanagement.

Session 3: Succession Planning & Board Development

Address one of the biggest challenges facing boards: recruitment and retention. Explore proactive succession planning, equity-centred recruitment, onboarding, and board development practices to sustain strong leadership.

Session 4: Financial Fitness for Social Housing Boards

Demystify nonprofit financial oversight. Learn how to read financial statements, understand cash flow, assess risk, approve budgets, and fulfill fiduciary responsibilities with confidence.

Session 5: Conflict Resolution & Effective Decision-Making

Discover how to navigate healthy conflict, foster collaborative decision-making, and integrate equity into governance practices. Learn strategies to prevent escalation, address governance risks early, and ensure decisions reflect shared values and community accountability.