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Meeting Preparation and Procedure

A practical, self-paced four-part learning series to help in-house lawyers plan, manage, and lead effective meetings with confidence.

Two older men in a meeting
Format Includes Access CPD
Self-paced 4 recorded sessions Lifetime See the accreditation information
 

Quick links: Who should participate | What's included | Pricing 

Why this program?

In-house lawyers are often responsible for advising boards and committees, supporting meeting chairs and managing governance processes. Doing that effectively requires more than a well-prepared agenda.

You need to understand the procedural rules that govern notice, quorum, motions, amendments, voting and elections—and know how to apply them when unexpected questions arise.

Meeting Preparation and Procedure provides practical guidance for planning, managing and supporting effective meetings. This four-part program takes you through the full meeting process, from initial preparation and procedural fundamentals to motions, voting and elections.

Complete the sessions on your own schedule and return to them whenever procedural questions arise in your role.

Who should participate?

This program is for in-house lawyers and governance professionals who:

  • advise boards, committees or meeting chairs;
  • serve as corporate secretary or support governance functions;
  • plan, chair or manage regular, annual or special meetings;
  • need to interpret or apply meeting procedures;
  • support motions, voting or elections; or
  • want to improve the efficiency, fairness and transparency of meetings.

Register now

Learn from an experienced parliamentarian and governance professional.

This program is led by Jennifer Freund, CAE, Acc.Dir, CIC.C, BSc, BA, MFS, LLB, Professional Registered Parliamentarian.

Drawing on her experience in parliamentary procedure, governance and in-house legal practice, Jennifer provides clear, practical guidance for handling the procedural questions that arise before, during and after meetings.

Throughout the four sessions, she explains how to prepare meetings properly, apply procedural rules, advise the Chair and manage motions, amendments, voting requirements and elections with confidence.

Four sessions. One practical learning path.

Progress from meeting preparation and procedural fundamentals to motions, voting and elections. Watch the sessions in order or begin with the topic most relevant to your responsibilities.

Session Focus You will learn to
Session 1 Meeting Preparation and Planning
Learn how to assess meeting requirements and prepare regular, annual and special meetings, including large and online meetings. Explore the practical decisions that should be made before participants enter the room or log in.
  • Determine the appropriate meeting type, size, format and platform
  • Plan for motions, voting and guest attendance
  • Prepare scripts, minutes and supporting materials
  • Anticipate procedural requirements before the meeting begins
Session 2 Meeting Procedure Basics
Understand the procedural foundations that help meetings run smoothly. This session addresses notice, quorum, order of business, decision-making, adjournment and the responsibilities of the Chair.
  • Apply the foundations of meeting procedure
  • Address notice, quorum and order-of-business requirements
  • Understand the Chair's role and responsibilities
  • Respond appropriately to common procedural scenarios
Session 3 Motions
Learn how motions are introduced, debated, amended and resolved. This session provides a practical framework for handling motions correctly and advising the Chair when procedures become more complex.
  • Recognize the 13 ranking motions
  • Follow the proper steps for handling motions
  • Manage debate and amendments
  • Identify and address improper motions
Session 4 Voting on Motions and Elections
Build confidence in determining voting requirements and conducting elections. Learn how to interpret majority requirements, address abstentions and understand when and how the Chair may vote.
  • Determine the number of votes required to adopt a motion
  • Understand what constitutes a majority
  • Address abstentions and voting by the Chair
  • Plan and conduct elections correctly

What you get: 

  • Four recorded sessions: Follow the meeting process from initial planning through motions, voting and elections.

  • Practical procedural guidance: Learn how to address common meeting challenges and advise chairs with confidence.

  • Governance-focused instruction: Understand how proper meeting procedure supports efficiency, fairness, transparency and defensible decision-making.

  • Lifetime access: Revisit the sessions whenever procedural questions arise in your work.

Choose full access or a single session.

The full program includes all four sessions, the workbook, companion checklists, and lifetime access. Individual sessions are also available.

Option CBA Members Non-Members Includes
Full program Complimentary $150 All four sessions, lifetime access
Single session Complimentary $50 One recorded session, lifetime access

Purchase the program

Frequently asked questions

  • Is this the same as the live webinar series? This on-demand program contains the recorded sessions from the live series, so you get the same content and materials without needing to attend at a set time. 

  • Do I need to complete the sessions in order? No. Each session can be completed independently. However, the program progresses from meeting preparation and procedural foundations to motions, voting and elections.

  • Can I register for only one session? Yes. Choose the session most relevant to your responsibilities or register separately for all four.

  • How long do I have access? Access is yours for as long as each session is hosted on the site. You can revisit the recordings whenever they are useful to your role.

  • Do I need to be a CBA member? No. Non-members can purchase any session at the non-member rate. CBA members receive complimentary access once logged in.

  • Are the sessions eligible for CPD credits? See the accreditation information.

  • Who should complete this program? The content is designed for in-house lawyers, general counsel, corporate secretaries, governance professionals, board and committee advisers and anyone responsible for planning, chairing or supporting formal meetings.

Register now