Board Director

At House of Friendship, we believe in what we are doing. We get out of bed each day to make a difference in our community; to walk with and to serve. We are not happy with the status quo. We get energy from ongoing learning and growth. We lead with passion and believe without a doubt that everyone deserves to belong and thrive. We live and breathe our values of Compassion, Inclusion, Justice, Dignity and Hope. And we have fun!

Sounds pretty great, doesn’t it? It is!

House of Friendship’s Board is made up of seven to eleven Board Directors (Directors), who are elected for a term expiring not later than the close of the fourth annual meeting of Members following the election. Directors may serve up to three successive terms.  

The Board is responsible for overseeing the affairs of the organization in accordance with legislation and ensuring alignment with the Vision, Mission and Values. It works with the Organizational Leadership Team to develop and approve strategic plans, annual budgets and monitors performance against organizational goals. It upholds accountability to stakeholders, ensures financial integrity through audits and manages organizational risk. Additionally, the Board is responsible for hiring, conducting evaluations and if necessary, dismissing the CEO. It also establishes and regularly reviews governance procedures, with input from committees and staff, and ensures the Governance Manual is reviewed at least every three years. 

** This is an unpaid volunteer position that requires eligibility per the per the Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (2010) requirements listed in section 23 **

Key Responsibilities: 

• Attend all Board meetings, a minimum of 8 per year, each lasting approximately 2 1/2 hours; meetings are not scheduled in July and August, however, during the Strategic Planning process, they are more frequent and longer;  
• Be prepared to question, challenge and discuss the topics under consideration; 
• Be reasonably informed with respect to 
• The population that House of Friendship serves; 
• External forces and issues that impact House of Friendship and those it serves; 
• Actively represent and advocate for the organization in the community, helping to enhance its visibility, credibility, and impact; 
• Participate in Board Committees as appointed by the Board; 
• As an individual Director help provide financial oversight of the budget, execution of the strategic plan and oversee CEO performance 

Job Specific Knowledge/Skills: 

• Excellent verbal communication skills with fellow Directors, HOF staff and participants; maintaining respectful and dignified language;  
• Basic knowledge of and ability to access Teams, Outlook and MS365 products (e.g., Excel, Word and SharePoint) to receive relevant and confidential communications; 
• Understanding of strategic planning processes, including the development and evaluation of vision, mission, values, and long-term goals;  
• Familiarity with budgeting processes, financial oversight, and the interpretation of financial statements, audits, and annual operating plans;  
• Understanding of legal, ethical, quality, safety, risk and regulatory requirements applicable to non-profit organizations, including compliance with audit standards and public accountability;  
• Commitment to maintain confidentiality regarding staff, participants, organization, and program operations;  
• Understanding of human interactions and systems of oppression usually gained by lived experience or by related education; 
• Commitment to ethical standards, transparency, and responsibility to the organization;  
• Commitment to uphold and model good governance practices;  
• Strong, collaborative team player committed to contributing to, while honouring the singular voice of, the Board. 

Nomination Process:  

Anyone is welcome to apply to serve as a Director. Potential applicants may express interest in the role independently or be referred by other Directors, staff or stakeholders. All applicants go through a vetting process that includes:  

• Online application;  
• An interview with members of the Nominating Committee, the Board Chair and, possibly, the CEO;  
• Meeting with the full Board;  
• Reference checks (2)  

Eligibility/Special Considerations: 

• Minimum age: 18 years old;  
• Eligible per the Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (2010) requirements listed in section 23; 
• Encountering participants at program sites who may be under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, and/or experiencing symptoms of mental illness can be expected; 

Term of Service: 

• Directors are usually elected for a three-year term; they may serve up to three successive terms totaling 9 years; 
• Directors may resign at any time by giving notice to the Board Chair;  
• The Board of Directors retains the sole right to terminate a Director it believes, in its sole discretion, is not performing their responsibilities in a manner that is in alignment with House of Friendship’s Vision, Mission and Values  

 
House of Friendship supports justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our organization. We strive to be free of harassment and discrimination, and we are committed to removing barriers and to nominating and supporting an inclusive Board. House of Friendship strives to be a place where each person can bring their whole selves and feel that they belong. We aspire to be an organization that is anti-racist and anti-oppressive so that our team, and therefore our community, can truly belong and thrive.  

 
We invite applications from all qualified candidates and actively encourage applications from members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to accessing paid or volunteer roles including, but not limited to, Indigenous Peoples, members of racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Additionally, in alignment with our harm reduction practices, we invite those with lived experience.