2017 Board of Directors: Calling all Candidates!

Are you a member of the Roulant? Would you like to further your involvement in the Roulant as an administrator and join the Board of Directors? Submit your application to run for election at our next Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday March 30, 2017!

During the AGM, members of the Roulant – that is, anyone who has been a client, volunteer, staff member or donor within the past 12 months – will elect members to the Roulant Board, the governing body responsible for our overall-policy making. Taking part in the governance of a community organization is a unique and wonderful opportunity.

What does the Board do?

Charities in Canada are governed by a voluntary Board. This group of individuals is legally responsible for overall governance. Generally speaking, staff members are responsible for day-to-day operations and decision making, while the Board provides leadership, direction and oversight through, for example:

• The development of long-term strategic plans and organizational policies
• Making some of the bigger decisions such as approving the budget
• Supervising the Executive Director

The Roulant has what is often called a “Collective Board” – this means that while the staff and Board have distinct roles, they work together as much as possible as a unified team.

Key qualities for candidates

• 18 years or older
• Able to serve a 2-year term and make the necessary time commitment
• Possess a functional comprehension of both French and English
• Possess the skills and expertise needed to address this year’s Board priorities

Clients, volunteers, staff, donors, neighbours, and friends are all invited to run. As a youth-led organization, Santropol Roulant encourages young people under 30 to apply.

Key features of a strong Santropol Roulant Board

• Alignment: Board members are an important part of the team. As the holders of the mission, it is vital that directors understand our work, culture and aspirations.
• Diversity: We value having a Board that represents the diversity of perspectives of our whole community.  We try to have a balance of people of different ages, races, genders, languages, cultures and life experiences.
• Time Commitment: Santropol Roulant Board members are very engaged, and are expected to attend one meeting per month, participate on committees and working groups outside of regular Board meetings, attend events, and have a visible presence amongst staff, clients and other volunteers. The estimated time commitment is 5-8 hours per month, depending on what the Board is working on and the load of the committee(s) the member sits on.
• Stability: It can take time for a Board (like any team) to come together and be productive. It is therefore important to have Board members who intend to fulfill their two-year term.
• Key skills: A strong Board has members with the range of skills and experiences that are needed to make informed decisions. In 2017, the following areas of expertise have been identified as most needed by the Board of Santropol Roulant:
  1. Finance/accounting: Qualifications and experience in financial management and/or accounting (e.g. Chartered Accountant, Certified Financial Planner)
  2. Fundraising/philanthropy: Experience raising funds for and/or making grants to non-profit organizations
  3. Food security: Knowledge of local food systems and community food security issues
  4. Policy and systems: Knowledge of the health and/or social service systems, government processes, public policy
  5. Agriculture: Experience in or knowledge of urban or peri-urban farming
  6. Community development/non-profits: Knowledge of the not-for-profit sector and related topics such as community engagement

Note: Sitting on the Board is not the only way to participate in the activities of the Roulant! If you are interested in the big picture and governance of the organization, this might be the role for you. If you are more interested in contributing to specific activities, there may be other volunteer opportunities that would be more suitable.

Committing to be a board member is a big and exciting responsibility. If you want to explore whether your profile is aligned with the needs and role of the Board, or for more information, feel free to email Pier, our Executive Director Pier, or call at 514-284-9335.

READY TO APPLY? 

Choose from the following two options: