Volunteer Board Directors, The Calgary Drop-in & Rehab Centre
Position Activity: Board Member
Time Commitment: 3 – 10 hours monthly
Suitability: Qualified Adult
Serving Calgary for more than 60 years, the Calgary Drop-In Centre (DI) is more than emergency shelter. The DI provides essential care and a continuum of services including housing-focused emergency shelter, health and recovery-oriented services, and affordable housing programs. Its programs and services connect people to permanent housing that meets their individual needs. The DI operates a variety of affordable and supported residential facilities in addition to the downtown emergency shelter and has an annual budget exceeding $30 million. The mandate of the Board of Directors is to provide oversight and direction to the DI to deliver, operate, and maintain emergency shelter programs, the donations centre, and non-profit housing and accommodation.
New Directors Opportunity
As a volunteer Board Director, you will be responsible for actively participating in effective governance of the DI Board, working with management to develop long-term strategic plans and providing governance oversight of the management of the business and affairs of the DI.
The Drop In Centre seeks to develop a Board whose members possess and demonstrate a strategic combination ofpersonal attributes, expertise, emotional intelligence, competencies and occupational backgrounds so that, collectively, it has access to a broad diversity of culture and community, experiences, perspectives, knowledge, connections, and skills to carry out its governance, planning, stewardship and advocacy functions.
Board members attend nine regularly scheduled board meetings per year (one each month other than July, August, and December) and one annual general meeting. Board members may be required to attend additional Board meetings toaddress emerging issues and are expected to participate in one or more Board committees, which will require some additional time, varying from month to month depending on the activities being carried on at the time. Board members are elected to serve a three-year term, commencing in September.
In identifying new Board members, the Board is seeking individuals who are prepared to carry out the governancefunction of a director of the DI, and who share the DI’s passion for serving the community and aligned with the vision of the DI — A community where everyone can find their home.
We hope to identify prospective Board members who will act as ambassadors and advocates for the DI and its mission, including through participating in fundraising and volunteer appreciation events and other celebrations.
The DI is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion for service delivery and governance. Recruitment and selection for the DI’s Board of Directors will emphasize gender equity, race equity, diversity and
inclusion strategies. The DI welcomes individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values ofequity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism which will assist the organization to expand its capacity for diversity in the broadest sense.
Skill and Credentials
Based on the DI Board’s most recent skills matrix review, preference for the upcoming board appointments in June 2024 will be given to candidates demonstrating expertise in one or more of the following areas: mental health and addictions; accounting/finance; real estate; asset management; strategy and risk; legal; and justice/policing. Candidates who identify as First Nations, Metis or Inuit are particularly encouraged to apply.
Candidates should bring a record of strategic leadership in organizationally complex environments and a strong reputation for integrity and effective decision-making. Previous experience serving on a non-profit, charitable, public sector or corporate Board is preferred, but not essential for candidates possessing strong skills/experience in desired areas.
Why Volunteer?
This opportunity allows qualified individuals to contribute to the community through the DI’s focus on emergency shelter and ending homelessness in our city. This will allow you to apply your time, skills and interest in the community toward an important cause while gaining experience in governance and learning about a part of our community to which you may not have regular exposure.
Contact
If you are interested in serving on the DI’s Board, kindly forward a cover letter relating the requirements of the foregoing description to your background and a current resume to the Chair, Nominating, Governance, Human Resources and Compensation Committee at board@thedi.ca.
The applications are accepted until April 1st, 2024
