Brock’s Goodman Group is embracing the new norm of virtual learning by preparing to host their professional development opportunities online for the first time this fall. 

Goodman Group, the Goodman School of Business’ community-focused learning and development services provider, is offering its Non-Profit Leadership Certificate Program completely virtually beginning this October.

Through weekly online classes, the program provides participants with the resources, tools and information necessary to successfully lead teams and non-profit organizations. Spanning from Oct. 22 to Dec. 10, the program will be delivered through live, interactive video-conferencing sessions using Microsoft Teams.

“This is the first time we’re offering any of our professional development programs exclusively online,” said Cassie Price, Manager, Goodman Group Projects. “Although the seminars will look a bit different with everyone participating virtually, many of our instructors are experienced with leading seminars in an online environment, so the high-quality content people expect from Goodman Group will not change.” 

The eight-week program will be led by both Brock faculty members and industry experts. The first and last sessions will be full day classes, running from noon to 7 p.m., while the remaining six sessions will be short evening classes from 4 to 7 p.m.

“We are ensuring that there will be support available to all of the participants before, during and after the program,” said Price. “The Goodman Group will provide one-on-one technology support, fully interactive sessions with instructors and we will be recording all of the live lectures to provide participants with the videos to access at their leisure.”

The program has continually received an upwards of a 90 per cent satisfaction rate, with nearly all previous participants working towards a raise or promotion within a year of completing the program.

“I participated in the program as this was a unique program that specially catered to leading a non-profit or charitable agency,” said Pam Sharp, Interim Executive Director, Project SHARE. “This program really met my needs for knowledge in areas like finance and human resources, which helped prepare me for my current role. I was thoroughly impressed with the quality of the facilitators, the program content and the opportunity to learn with many of my colleagues while working full-time in the charitable sector.”

For those interested in registering for the program, the Goodman Group will be hosting a Non-Profit Leadership Certificate program information session on Monday, Aug. 24 from 2 to 2:45 p.m.

The info session will feature a panel consisting of Caren Burt, Instructor, Paul Robertson, Job Developer, Employment Help Centre, and a graduate from the program. The panel will discuss the program for 30 minutes, followed by a 15 minute Q&A.

The cost to enrol in the program is $3,250 + HST per participant; however, there is funding available through the Canada-Ontario Job Grant, and the cost to the organization could be as low as one-sixth of the course cost: $541 + HST per participant. Anyone interested in applying for the grant is welcome to email Goodman Group at prodev@brocku.ca for more information.

Seating is limited for the program, so interested participants are encouraged to register ahead of the Sept. 22 registration deadline. For more information on Goodman Group’s professional development opportunities, visit https://brocku.ca/goodman-group/professional-development/