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Foundations of Trust Management Standards (FTMS®)

Friday, November 22 - Saturday, November 23, 2024

San Antonio, TX

Sessions Include:

7:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Legal - Group 1

Please note: Testable readings for the Legal content will be included at the end of the slides posted for this module.

  • Define basic terms related to trusts
  • Explain the purpose and key elements of trust agreements
  • Describe key legislation and its implications for operation of trusts
  • Identify fiduciary obligations of Trustees
  • Explain basic Trustee duties
  • Explain examples of Trustees who have found themselves in difficult situations (cases)
  • Identify strategies to put in place to protect Trustees, beneficiaries, settlors, and subsequent participating employers
  • Identify exemption clauses commonly included in fiduciary liability insurance policies

7:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Legal - Group 2

Please note: Testable readings for the Legal content will be included at the end of the slides posted for this module.

  • Define basic terms related to trusts
  • Explain the purpose and key elements of trust agreements
  • Describe key legislation and its implications for operation of trusts
  • Identify fiduciary obligations of Trustees
  • Explain basic Trustee duties
  • Explain examples of Trustees who have found themselves in difficult situations (cases)
  • Identify strategies to put in place to protect Trustees, beneficiaries, settlors, and subsequent participating employers
  • Identify exemption clauses commonly included in fiduciary liability insurance policies

11:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Administration and Governance - Group 1

Please note: Testable readings for the Administration and Governance content will be included at the end of the slides posted for this module.

  • Outline key functions of Boards of Trustees/Fiduciaries as Legal Administrator
  • Explain the significance of governing documents and their terms for meeting fiduciary duty
  • Describe the role of key service providers in supporting Boards
  • Identify key stakeholders in governance
  • Explain basic principles of effective governance and best practices
  • Describe how good governance supports Boards in execution of key management functions and in meeting fiduciary duty
  • Explain the importance of Board meetings, meeting protocol and minute taking in your role as Legal Administrator
  • Identify sources of effective governance guidelines and tools

11:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Administration and Governance - Group 2

Please note: Testable readings for the Administration and Governance content will be included at the end of the slides posted for this module.

  • Outline key functions of Boards of Trustees/Fiduciaries as Legal Administrator
  • Explain the significance of governing documents and their terms for meeting fiduciary duty
  • Describe the role of key service providers in supporting Boards
  • Identify key stakeholders in governance
  • Explain basic principles of effective governance and best practices
  • Describe how good governance supports Boards in execution of key management functions and in meeting fiduciary duty
  • Explain the importance of Board meetings, meeting protocol and minute taking in your role as Legal Administrator
  • Identify sources of effective governance guidelines and tools

7:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Administration and Governance (continued) - Group 1

Please note: Testable readings for the Administration and Governance content will be included at the end of the slides posted for this module.

  • Outline key functions of Boards of Trustees/Fiduciaries as Legal Administrator
  • Explain the significance of governing documents and their terms for meeting fiduciary duty
  • Describe the role of key service providers in supporting Boards
  • Identify key stakeholders in governance
  • Explain basic principles of effective governance and best practices
  • Describe how good governance supports Boards in execution of key management functions and in meeting fiduciary duty
  • Explain the importance of Board meetings, meeting protocol and minute taking in your role as Legal Administrator
  • Identify sources of effective governance guidelines and tools

7:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Administration and Governance (continued) - Group 2

Please note: Testable readings for the Administration and Governance content will be included at the end of the slides posted for this module.

  • Outline key functions of Boards of Trustees/Fiduciaries as Legal Administrator
  • Explain the significance of governing documents and their terms for meeting fiduciary duty
  • Describe the role of key service providers in supporting Boards
  • Identify key stakeholders in governance
  • Explain basic principles of effective governance and best practices
  • Describe how good governance supports Boards in execution of key management functions and in meeting fiduciary duty
  • Explain the importance of Board meetings, meeting protocol and minute taking in your role as Legal Administrator
  • Identify sources of effective governance guidelines and tools

8:45 AM - 11:00 AM

Funding/Investment/Finance - Group 1

Please note: Testable readings for the Funding/Investment/Finance content will be included at the end of the slides posted for this module.

  • Describe the significance of funding policy for effective trust/plan management
  • Explain the rationale for funding plans
  • List different types of funding and financing options
  • Identify factors that influence funding and financing requirements
  • Describe the significance of investment policy for effective trust/plan management
  • State key characteristics of bonds and stocks
  • Explain the importance of asset mix and diversification to investment decisions
  • List the steps in the investment process
  • Explain the roles of the actuary and the investment manager
  • List the key questions to ask about investment strategy
  • Describe the significance of financial reporting and budgeting to effective trust/plan management
  • Indicate sources and uses of income
  • Describe key financial reports and how they inform decision making
  • Explain the role of the auditor

8:45 AM - 11:00 AM

Funding/Investment/Finance - Group 2

Please note: Testable readings for the Funding/Investment/Finance content will be included at the end of the slides posted for this module.

  • Describe the significance of funding policy for effective trust/plan management
  • Explain the rationale for funding plans
  • List different types of funding and financing options
  • Identify factors that influence funding and financing requirements
  • Describe the significance of investment policy for effective trust/plan management
  • State key characteristics of bonds and stocks
  • Explain the importance of asset mix and diversification to investment decisions
  • List the steps in the investment process
  • Explain the roles of the actuary and the investment manager
  • List the key questions to ask about investment strategy
  • Describe the significance of financial reporting and budgeting to effective trust/plan management
  • Indicate sources and uses of income
  • Describe key financial reports and how they inform decision making
  • Explain the role of the auditor

12:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Funding/Investment/Finance (continued) - Group 1

Please note: Testable readings for the Funding/Investment/Finance content will be included at the end of the slides posted for this module.

  • Describe the significance of funding policy for effective trust/plan management
  • Explain the rationale for funding plans
  • List different types of funding and financing options
  • Identify factors that influence funding and financing requirements
  • Describe the significance of investment policy for effective trust/plan management
  • State key characteristics of bonds and stocks
  • Explain the importance of asset mix and diversification to investment decisions
  • List the steps in the investment process
  • Explain the roles of the actuary and the investment manager
  • List the key questions to ask about investment strategy
  • Describe the significance of financial reporting and budgeting to effective trust/plan management
  • Indicate sources and uses of income
  • Describe key financial reports and how they inform decision making
  • Explain the role of the auditor

12:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Funding/Investment/Finance (continued) - Group 2

Please note: Testable readings for the Funding/Investment/Finance content will be included at the end of the slides posted for this module.

  • Describe the significance of funding policy for effective trust/plan management
  • Explain the rationale for funding plans
  • List different types of funding and financing options
  • Identify factors that influence funding and financing requirements
  • Describe the significance of investment policy for effective trust/plan management
  • State key characteristics of bonds and stocks
  • Explain the importance of asset mix and diversification to investment decisions
  • List the steps in the investment process
  • Explain the roles of the actuary and the investment manager
  • List the key questions to ask about investment strategy
  • Describe the significance of financial reporting and budgeting to effective trust/plan management
  • Indicate sources and uses of income
  • Describe key financial reports and how they inform decision making
  • Explain the role of the auditor