The program consists of five modules, each delivered over 2.25 days. Modules begin Thursday afternoon and continue all day Friday and Saturday. Modules 1–4 may be taken in any order; however, all four must be completed prior to attending Module 5.
Below is a partial list of topics covered across the five modules:
Module 1 – Accountability and Change
- Roles, responsibilities, legal and fiduciary duties, and Board accountabilities
- The Board’s role in a regulated utility environment, including relationships with Municipal Shareholders, Affiliates, and HoldCo Boards
- Board and Director independence and effective interaction
Module 2 – Leadership and Strategy
- Establishing clear corporate strategies with management
- Best practices for succession planning, HR and compensation committees, IT strategy, and management performance
- Identifying and mitigating corporate risk in a regulated utility environment
Module 3 – Oversight and Finance
- Assessing financial information using accounting principles and key indicators
- Roles of the Board, Audit Committee, internal and external auditors
- Governance expectations of regulators, Municipal Shareholders, and stakeholders
Module 4 – Effective Governance Under Complex Circumstances
- Emotional intelligence and its impact on board behaviour and effectiveness
- Governance links to sustainability, ethics, and social responsibility
- Corporate reputation, risk, and crisis management
Module 5 – The Board Simulation
- Participation in simulated Board and Committee meetings
- Personal insight into board dynamics, behaviour, and productivity
All modules include facilitated group discussion. Upon completion of all five modules, participants must successfully write an exam to receive the C.Dir. designation.
To maintain the designation, 50 hours of Continued Professional Development (CPD) are required over a three-year period.
