The BPC provides tailored professional development opportunities and in‑depth training to its members on topics that directly relate to their work and the current landscape in which they operate. As appropriate, these opportunities extend to members of members (or “members-by-proxy”) for added membership value.
The program offers several sessions per year on topics in a range of areas including DEI, HR, and marketing and publicity. Sessions are curated by a volunteer committee of members and industry professionals. They are a mix of peer-to-peer learning, guest experts, and discussion forums. Each session is complemented by supplementary resources sent out post-event for continued learning. In some cases, sessions are recorded and made available to the membership and wider industry.
The 2023/24 program schedule can be found below.
We are grateful to Ontario Creates for its support of this program.
October 25, 2023: Member Hub
BPC’s Member Hubs provide members a space to share news about their organizations, seek guidance from their peers, invite collaboration, and discuss shared challenges. Members will provide a short report on recent work, upcoming priorities, and current challenges. A group discussion will follow. Collected member reports will be distributed following the meeting to all members.
November 16, 2023: Managing Team Dynamics in In‑Person, Remote, and Hybrid Settings
The meaning of “office culture” has shifted. Some organizations have returned to in‑person work, some have gone fully remote, and others have opted for a hybrid approach. While we’ve learned how to do the work in these new settings, we are still learning how to function effectively as teams. This peer-to-peer discussion will be moderated by Nic Brewer and is open to all BPC members and their members. Discussion notes and additional resources will be distributed following the session.
December 13, 2023: Censorship: Current Realities & Industry Action
Our freedom to read can never be taken for granted. Join us to hear about current censorship issues at home and abroad, ongoing industry action, and how you can get involved. This session will feature James Turk, Director of the Centre for Free Expression, and Anita Brooks Kirkland, Chair of Canadian School Libraries, who will talk about innovative new tools created to help combat censorship. This session will be moderated by Michelle Arbuckle, Executive Director of the Ontario Library Association, and is open to all BPC members and their members. A recording will be provided following the event along with additional resources.
January 11, 2024: The Modern AGM: Maximizing Engagement with Minimal Resources
How much should you spend on your AGM? How do you make it appealing without dedicating a ton of resources to programming? How do you get people to show up prepared? Jot down your insights and join us for a peer-to-peer discussion moderated by Jazz Cook. This session is open to all BPC members and their members. A compilation of participant tips and other resources will be distributed following the session.
February 14, 2024: Member Hub
BPC’s Member Hubs provide members a space to share news about their organizations, seek guidance from their peers, invite collaboration, and discuss shared challenges. Members will provide a short report on recent work, upcoming priorities, and current challenges. A group discussion will follow. Collected member reports will be distributed following the meeting to all members.
March 20, 2024: Effective Meeting Engagement
If you work in the book and periodical industry, there is a good chance that effective meetings are important to your success. How do you get people to attend? How do you keep them engaged and focused? How do you leverage momentum once the meeting is adjourned? In an industry as collaborative as ours, engagement is key. Leslie Giddings, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator and Managing Director of Transform Together Inc., joins us for this session to identify and demonstrate key best practices in this tailored learning session. This session will be moderated by Annie Gibson, Publisher, Playwrights Canada Press and BPC Board Director, and is open to all BPC members as well as their members. A recording and additional resources will be provided post-event.
May 29, 2024: Succession Planning for Small Shops
In our industry—and especially for small organizations—effective succession planning is vital. You’ve nurtured a talented team, but what happens when key players like your Executive Director or CEO depart unexpectedly? In this session Monica Chohan, a strategic planning consultant and lawyer with 20+ years of diverse experience, will share invaluable insights and succession planning best practices for small organizations. This event is open to all BPC members as well as their members. A recording and additional resources will be provided post-event.
June 19, 2024: BPC AGM & Town Hall
The BPC Annual General Meeting & Town Hall will provide an opportunity to hear about the work of the organization, vote on important member motions, and share your feedback about BPC programs and services. It is important that members attend, so please save the date!