Glossary: M

President and CEO, Imagine Canada

Marcel has also served as Deputy Chief Executive of the Ministry of Social Development in New Zealand, as President of the Canadian Council on Social Development, as Special Advisor to the President of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and as Founding Executive Director of the Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences.

Marcel Lauzière is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his contribution to philanthropy in Canada, and has a Masters degree in Canadian Social History from the University of Ottawa.

Director, Marketing & Communications, Imagine Canada

Marnie is responsible for the organization’s communications and marketing strategy. Prior to Imagine Canada, she worked at the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival and the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre. She has studied Communications, obtaining dual-specialties in Marketing and Advertising, at the University of Winnipeg and holds a diploma in Arts Management from Confederation College.

Minutes are a written record of the matters discussed, and decisions made at a meeting. They are based on notes taken - usually by the individual designated as Secretary - and are generally presented to a subsequent meeting of the same group for approval. Once approved, a copy of the minutes is generally signed by the chair of the meeting that the minutes report on and the secretary who recorded them, to indicate their official status. Minutes should be kept as a permanent record, and are often kept in a minute book.

What is a mission statement and why is it important? A mission statement is a short, written statement that describes the core purpose of the organization including what it does, for whom and why. The mission statement should be sufficient to guide the strategies and actions of an organization, describe its overall goal, provide a sense of direction, and guide decision-making. ¹

In order to effectively govern a nonprofit organization, the board of directors must have a clear understanding of the organization’s mandate. This is provided by the mission statement, which presents an organization’s primary purpose or goals. A mission statement tells the world why your organization exists. ² Everything an organization does should align with its mission. Boards must review their organization’s mission statement regularly to ensure that it continues to express the organization’s highest aims and commitments. ³ Effective reviews of the mission statement should always involve the full board as well as the Executive Director or most senior staff person.³

A great mission statement:

• is concise and easy to understand
• distinguishes your organization from others with a similar mandate
• inspires others to support your organization’s important work

From "Accreditation Preparation Workbook Section A: Board Governance,"  Katharine Zywert, Social Prosperity Wood Buffalo at the University of Waterloo, 2013.

1. “Standards Program Definitions,” Imagine Canada, May 2011 
2. “Strategic Planning: Train the Trainer Workshop Handout,” Cathy Brothers, 2012 
3. “Primer for Directors of Not-for-Profit Corporations: Rights, Duties, and Practices,” Industry Canada, 2002