Risk Management should be one of the cornerstones of any festival. With climate change and increased societal concerns, festivals need to be confident that they have done what is necessary to ensure the safety of their audience, volunteers and artists. Risk Management also includes putting systems in place so that Festival resources are protected. Each session will include sample templates in support of the best practices presented. Following is a brief outline of the various sessions within the larger festival module.
Based on Best Practices, session one will include setting up financial systems so management, whether volunteer or professional, is confident that financial resources are tracked appropriately. Discussion and supporting templates range from managing cash during an event to setting standards for writing cheques. This session is based on the realities of festival financial management which presents some unique challenges for an organization. The process of recruitment through to recognizing volunteers will again be supported with templates and recommendations ranging from hiring to dismissing volunteers.
Additional Materials
- Master Financials
- Financial Process
- Analyzing Boards
- Assesing NFP Boards
- Board Manual Checklist
- Commitment Agreement
- National Study of Board Governance
- Organizational Assess
- Self-assessment Process
- Survey Retiring
- What do yo talk about at your Board meetings?
Facilitator Cheryl Ewing
Cheryl Ewing has thirty years experience in senior management and facilitation, strategic planning, new program development, and innovation for provincial and national organizations. She has managed various festivals including multi-cultural, dance, buskers, choral, classical, popular and new classical music. She has guided festivals interested in finding ways to increase their effectiveness through sharing of resources. She has also worked in the for-profit, government, education and municipal sectors bringing a broad perspective to festival management. She has been integral to the design of the innovative young audience programmes – eyeGO to the Arts and River Run Centre’s Linamar for the Performing Arts. This spring she will be launching Starlight Presents: a performing arts festival for youth. As a consultant she has worked in various sectors including performing arts, social services and municipal government sectors. She is an active volunteer serving on the boards of eyeGO to the Arts, green light arts, Rotary Club of Kitchener, and JM Drama/Registry Theatre. She has received community recognition for her works from Canada 125 Medal for Community Service (1992), KW Arts Awards (1998), and 2009 Oktoberfest Women of the Year (Arts & Culture).