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
D. Availability of Training and Expertise
Volunteers and staff have appropriate training and experience for their responsibilities and/or opportunities to gain the necessary knowledge and skills.
Background
A land trust should seek volunteers and staff who have appropriate training or experience to carry out its work or a willingness to learn new skills. Where volunteers and staff are lacking certain skills, the land trust should ensure they gain them by providing access to training and education opportunities. In addition, the land trust should make provisions for ongoing or in-service training to allow board, staff and volunteers to keep skills and knowledge current as the land trusts needs change and as the land conservation field evolves.
Assessment Questions
CLTA Assessment Questions
- Are volunteers and staff provided with the training they need to carry out their responsibilities?
- How much does the land trust spend each year to train?
| Board members/volunteers | $ _______________ | Staff | $ _______________ |
