Standard 7: Volunteers, Staff and Consultants
The land trust has volunteers, staff and/or consultants with appropriate skills and in sufficient numbers to carry out its programs.
Background
The work of a land trust is substantial, diverse and often technical or specialized, and includes fundraising, public relations, financial management, landowner contact, designing and carrying out transactions, legal and tax matters, and land and/or conservation agreement monitoring and management. A land trust that acquires, owns, or manages land or conservation agreements, even temporarily, is dealing with complex issues and thousands or even millions of dollars’ worth of assets. Conducting this work properly takes trained individuals. If a land trust is completely managed by volunteers, they have a responsibility to see that the work is carried out with appropriate expertise and supervision, and that a sufficient number of people share the work. If the land trust has staff, it must be sure that the staff is properly trained to manage the complex tasks of land conservation, and the board must establish appropriate policies and procedures to guide staff. All land trusts must engage outside expert help in the event they do not have sufficient time or expertise in-house and must be sure to select projects that are consistent with their capacity.
Relevant Law
- Income Tax Act, SC 1985, c. I;
see Canada Revenue Agency guide “Employee or Self-Employed?” at:
- Employment Standards Act, RSBC 1996, c. 113.
- Workers Compensation Act, RSBC 1996, c. 492.
- Human Rights Code, RSBC 1996, c. 210.
- Canada Pension Plan, c. C-8.
- Employment Insurance Act, SC 1996, c. 23.
PRACTICE
H. Working with Consultants
Consultant and contractor relationships are clearly defined, are consistent with federal and provincial law, and, if appropriate, are documented in a written contract. Consultants and contractors are familiar with sections of Canadian Land Trust Standards and Practices that are relevant to their work.
Background
Consultants and contractors can provide important skills to a land trust. Contractor relationships and deliverables should be clearly delineated; it is often helpful to define this relationship through a written contract. If a contractor is assuming many of the roles of a staff person, the land trust should clarify contractor versus employee status, and consult the appropriate federal and provincial labour and employment statutes. Contractors in certain positions can affect the credibility of the land trust’s land conservation work. These contractors should be familiar with the Canadian Land Trust Standards and Practices that are relevant to their work. This is particularly true of contractors assisting with charitable giving and fundraising, financial management, land transactions, or stewardship.
Assessment Questions
CLTA Assessment Questions
- Does the land trust have standard procedures for soliciting bids and entering into contracts?
Resources: Example Policies & Template Documents
Template Documents
- GLT Contract Template
- CCLT Contractors Policy Template Contract
- GLT Request for Proposals Template
- Personal Contract Template

