Ducks Unlimited Canada’s Governance Innovations

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC)

DUC has led wetland conservation for waterfowl and other wildlife in North America for more than 70 years, securing 6.1 million acres of habitat and positively influencing 61.4 million acres more.

DUC is a national, private non-profit organization that is supported nationally by 157,000 supporters and 6,900 volunteers, and governed by a Board of approximately 75 volunteer directors from across Canada.

Governance

A major issue facing all boards today involves proper governance. Governance refers to the processes and structure used to guide and direct an organization’s operations and activities. It defines the division of power and establishes mechanisms to achieve accountability among constituents, the Board and management.

DUC strives to implement a best-in-class governance model for the Board and the organization, and as such, have having recently introduced several positive innovations, including the creation of a Governance Committee and Whistleblower Policy.

The DUC Board now functions primarily at a policy and strategic level.