Positions are held for a two-year term:

President: 

• Provides leadership to the Board of Directors

• Ensures that the Societies by-laws, vision, mission and beliefs are adhered to

• Prepares meeting agendas and chairs meetings 

• Provide support and advice to Executive Director 

• Orientates the new Board members

Vice-President: 

• Acts in the absence of the Chairperson 

• Acts as a Chairperson of standing committees as required

• Orientates new Board members along with the President

Secretary: 

• Under the direction of the President, prepares Board Meeting agendas and associated documents and distributes them to Board members before Board meetings.

• Takes the minutes at the board meetings

• Keeps records of board member meeting attendance 

• Ensures quorum at meetings 

Treasurer: 

• Manages financial affairs of the Society in/with consultation with the Executive Director and Bookkeeper 

• Plans and presents the Society’s program budgets in conjunction with the Executive Director 

• Reviews and presents the Society’s statements of revenue and expenses 

• Acts as a signing officer for cheques and other documents 

Directors: 

• Participate in regular and special meetings of the Board 

• Are available to organize and be involved in special projects/functions 

Past President: 

• Supports the current President

• Assists in board member recruitment and orientation 

• Provides historical continuity of board activities

The Board of Directors is the legal authority of the Society. As a member of the Board, a Director acts in a position of trust for the organization and is responsible for the effective governance of the organization. 

The Board: 

• projects a vision for an organization 

• is a guardian of organizational values and endorses the mission statement as the central organizational focus 

• develops and implements long and short-term strategic plans 

• links with the community through advocacy and promotion of active living strategies and services 

• hires and supervises one employee - the Executive Director 

The Board develops governance policies that focus on: 

• organizational beliefs/values

• governing the outcomes of an organization, as identified in the mission statement 

• future planning and development of long term strategies 

• assuring sources of adequate funding to meet the Society’s intended results 

The Board of Directors comprises persons accessing our services and community members with an interest in working towards ElderActive’s vision & mission.

Some skills that help support ElderActive’s vision & mission are: 

• Knowledge of the community we serve 

• Strategic Planning 

• Fundraising 

• Financial/Accounting experience 

• Human Resource 

• Marketing/Public Relations 

• Government Relations 

• Non-Profit Board experience 

Board terms are typically two-year commitments.

The Board meets monthly. Meetings are generally 2 hours in length. Members can expect additional time commitments to contribute to board work depending on the project/committee. Board members are expected to come to regularly scheduled meetings prepared.

All candidates for a Board position must complete the Candidate Qualification Form.

The Nominating Committee reviews applications and will present recommendations to the Board of Directors for final decision. 

The nominees are announced yearly at the Annual General Meeting, at which point there will be an election or acclamation.

New members receive the Societies By-laws and a Board Manual.  The President organizes an on-boarding orientation.

Who are the other directors, and what are their backgrounds and expertise? Does the board have meaningful discussions, or does it tend to follow management’s direction? Does everyone have an equal voice? Have other directors left the board recently, and if so, why?

What is the President’s leadership style, and do they value and listen to the board? What are the dynamics between management and the directors? How does management respond to feedback from the board? Where are there points of tension?

What type of information do directors receive, and how often? Does the board (or committees) have access to the Executive Director? Does Executive Director communicate with directors regularly and provide them with adequate information?

A non-profit in a weak financial position will likely require a more significant time commitment and pose greater risks for directors. Ask how ElderActive compares to other NGOs. What are the prospects? Is there a sustainability plan?

What are ElderActive’s internal control and financial reporting structures? Does ElderActive have robust compliance procedures in place? Who are ElderActive’s auditors? Has there been a recent change in auditors and, if so, why? Which other outside professionals regularly advise ElderActive?

Is ElderActive currently facing any significant litigation or regulatory issues, or have there been any recent investigations into ElderActive or its personnel? Are there other risks on the horizon?

Are Directors indemnified?

Ask for more detail than simply if there is Director’s & Officer’s insurance. Find out the size, layers, and insurers for the program. Ask if the insurers have changed recently. Who is the broker that handles the company’s D&O insurance program?

How often are board meetings held, and where do they take place? What committees will I be asked to serve on? What will the time commitment be? What compensation is offered to directors? What process does the ElderActive have in place to onboard new directors? What is ElderActive’s attitude towards director education and training?