Societies Act FAQs

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The information in Societies Act FAQs is intended for British Columbian non-profits that want to understand the requirements of BC's Societies Act, SBC 2015, c. 18, and compliance with this legislation.

Part One: Incorporating a Non-Profit Society

Societies, Charities, and Federal Not-For-Profit Corporations - What’s the Difference?

Set up a Societies Online Account

Choose a Name

Draft a Constitution

Draft Bylaws

Select Applying Directors

Member-Funded Societies

Part Two: Managing a Non-Profit Society

Member Rights and Participation

Meetings of Members (AGM, SGM)

Directors: Eligibility, Duties, Liability, Remuneration, Conflicts of Interest

Meetings of Directors

Senior Managers and Officers

Recordkeeping & Privacy

Finances & Borrowing

Audits & Auditor

Seal

Part Three: Dissolving a Non-Profit Society

Dissolution Process

Appendices

If You Have Not Yet Transitioned to the New Act

About these FAQs

The Societies Act FAQs were prepared by Pacific Legal Education and Outreach Society (PLEO) with help and support from the University of Victoria Faculty of Law Business Law Clinic. They were originally intended as a support for non-profit organizations in British Columbia undergoing transition to BC's then-new Societies Act, SBC 2015, c 18.

In 2021, the FAQs were updated to remove the focus on transition, and additional content was added to help individuals understand how to incorporate, manage, and dissolve non-profits in BC. The FAQs were updated by University of British Columbia law student Sheldon Falk with help from Paul Wood. They were reviewed for accuracy by lawyer Martha Rans, Founder and Legal Director of PLEO. The FAQs were updated again in 2024 by lawyer Sheldon Falk to reflect further changes to the Societies Act.

For more information, resources, templates, workshops, and webinars, go to www.pacificlegaloutreach.com.

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About Pacific Legal Education and Outreach Society

The Pacific Legal Education and Outreach Society aims to empower artists and non-profits in Canada to access justice efficiently, effectively, and equitably. With this mission, PLEO works to shift the paradigm in how non-profits and artists experience the law, providing them with accessible tools, education, and information needed to prevent a legal issue before it happens.

For more information, see our About Us page.