Director, Board of Directors
Volunteer Position 2-year term – maximum 5 terms
The Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter is seeking progressive, community-minded volunteers to serve as board members who will work collaboratively toward achieving our vision of a community free of family violence and abuse.
We strive to be leaders in our field, and believe that together, we can make a difference.
The objectives of the Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter are to promote the awareness of critical issues in our community as related to family violence and abuse and to support individuals and families with resources, advocacy and intervention through the provision of responsible, preventative and corrective services based on a client-centred and response-based philosophy. In addition to basic governance responsibilities, board activities focus on the person served, advocacy, community relations, fundraising, and strategic planning.
The Board approves and authorizes the strategic planning and direction of the Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter and holds accountable the Executive Director/CEO in the day-to-day operations of the organization. The Board meets regularly to maintain awareness of organization functioning and to implement contractual and strategic commitments. While it also approves budgets and audits on an annual basis, the Board has delegated the management of the day-to-day business affairs to the Executive Director/CEO and/or in their absence, the designated senior staff.
Duties and Responsibilities
All board members are responsible to:
- Maintain continuous governance of the organization
- Participate in determining and upholding the Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter’s vision, mission, values and beliefs
- Ensure the creation of a strategic plan and monitor its implementation
- Create, review and approve board policies to support and direct the work of the Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter
- Assist the board in carrying out its fiduciary responsibilities by reviewing financial statements and other appropriate documentation
- Represent the interests and needs of the community as part of their fiduciary responsibilities
- Enhance the organization’s public image
- Provide guidance and direction as appropriate
- Assess their performance
Individual board members are responsible to:
- Attend board meetings and retreats as outlined in the bylaws
- Attend special functions of the agency
- Serve on a minimum of one board committee, attend committee meetings, report on committee work, and make recommendations as appropriate
- Review the agenda and supporting materials prior to each board meeting
- Be informed about the mission, vision, values, services, policies and programs of the Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter
- Act as an ambassador for the organizations, and inform others about the work of the Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter
- Suggest possible board and committee members
- Keep up to date on organizational developments
- Make a personally meaningful financial contribution to the organization annually
- Adhere to the conflict of interest, confidentiality and other policies of the board.
- Review the bylaws and board manual on an annual basis.
Skills and Qualifications
Board membership reflects the diversity present in our communities and is comprised of individuals from various corporate entities, community members, interested stakeholders, etc. Characteristics present among Board members include, but are not limited to:
- an understanding and commitment to the Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter;
- knowledge of provincial legislation and social programs;
- awareness of child, youth, adult and familial and cultural issues and struggles;
- financial expertise;
- legal expertise;
- advocacy experience
- communication skills
- minimum 2-5 years previous experience on a non-for-profit governance board
All applicants for Board membership are required to submit security clearances (Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Search and Intervention Record Check) that are no older than six months.
TO APPLY: Please submit your resume and cover letter via email to janetr@cwes.ca.
CLOSE DATE: Review of applications begins on April 1, 2022. The position will remain open until filled.
The Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter is committed to diversity and inclusion within its board of directors, and encourages qualified candidates from all genders, religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply.
We thank all candidates for their interest, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. We regret that we are unable to accept telephone inquiries.
