Equity Approaches to Organization Policy Development

Equity Approaches to Organization Policy Development

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Virtual through Zoom

Cost to register: $135 per participant

Workshop Description

Organizational policies are an essential aspect of strong governance within non-profit organizations, however updating and revising them is often a low priority on the executive to-do list! Despite this, they are a crucial component to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and play a key role in an organization’s efforts to weave, diversity, equity, inclusion and decolonizing values into their work.

This half-day, virtual workshop will review contemporary trends in policy development across the non-profit sector while sharing resources and tools for leaders to begin engaging in policy development as transformative, social justice work.

Participants will leave with policy audit tools, policy templates, and other resources to support them in reviewing and updating their operational and governance policies.

Objectives

1. Understand the role and function of policies within non-profit environments with respect to mitigating risk and managing human, financial and other resources

2. Identify what policies are required by law and when, including those recently introduced by the Accessibility for Manitobans Act

3. Gain awareness of equity-focused approaches to policy analysis, review and development, including tools and resources to support updating policies to reflect the complex needs of non-profit organizations.

This workshop is ideal for:

• Board directors, executive directors, CEO’s, senior management team members, directors, program managers and coordinators of health, social service, education, or union sectors
• Non-profit start-ups
• Students in human services (social work, psychology, nursing, health sciences, etc.)

Facilitators

Jared Star, MSc, BSW, PhD Candidate (abd) – Founder and CEO Bison Research and Development (formerly Jared Star Consulting)

Jared Star is a data-driven researcher, consultant, and community leader with over 18 years of experience supporting non-profit organizations, unions, and community-based health and social service agencies across Canada. As Founder and Principal of Bison Research and Development, Jared specializes in helping organizations build capacity through program development and evaluation, fundraising and capital campaigns, board governance and leadership training, and strategic research initiatives.

Jared’s work emphasizes values-based and equity-focused approaches to organizational development. He has raised over $10.3 million for Canadian charities through fundraising and grant development, designed and facilitated governance and leadership training for boards and executive teams, and led complex community-based research projects that advance equity, accessibility, and health system reform.

Currently a Vanier Scholar and Doctoral Candidate at the University of Manitoba, Jared’s research focuses on decolonizing methodologies, Indigenous health, and the intersections of governance, policy, and community well-being. His consulting practice blends academic rigor with practical experience, supporting organizations to strengthen their impact, diversify revenue, and lead with integrity in increasingly complex environments.

Chris Campbell, MA, BA Hons. - Senior Associate – Jared Star Consulting

Chris Campbell (he/him) has worked as a researcher for over a decade focusing on 2SLGBTQ+-inclusive education and, more recently, equity in policy analysis. He has worked on a wide range of projects focusing on various aspects of the education system, 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion and equity, and effects for students, educators, and content in schools. His current doctoral research focuses on policy-based education reform efforts and their impacts on 2SLGBTQ+ students and content. As a consultant, Chris brings his proficiency in all aspects of research and supports policy review processes through values-based approaches to policy development and evaluation.