Board Director, Vice Chair

Position: Board Director, Vice Chair (Virtual)

Do you want to build a future where every young person reaches their own potential? Do you agree that schools have infinite opportunities to empower student success in social-emotional well-being? If your answer is yes, come join the adventure. Make a genuine impact on today’s youth, tomorrow’s leaders.

Common Compass is currently seeking a Board Director interested in serving as a Vice Chair on the Executive Committee as well as heading the Governance Subcommittee. This is a virtual volunteer position and the selected individual is expected to make a minimum commitment of 2 years to provide optimal support to the organization.

How You Will Contribute:

• Governance Leadership – Ensure the integrity of the Board’s processes and co-ordinate Board activities in fulfilling its governance responsibilities
• Direction - Ensure that a Board work plan is developed and implemented that includes annual goals for the Board and embraces continuous improvement.
• Board Conduct - Maintain a high standard for Board conduct and uphold policies and By-laws regarding Directors’ conduct, with particular emphasis on fiduciary responsibilities.
• Mentorship - Serve as a mentor to other Directors. Ensure that all Directors contribute fully.

Address issues associated with underperformance of individual Directors.

• Reporting - Report regularly to the Board on issues relevant to its governance responsibilities.

The Ideal Candidate:

• Passion and commitment to the organization’s mission and strategic direction
• Strong understanding of governance and leadership in non-profit organizations
• Team player with ability to collaborate with other members of the team
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with the Board on governance discussions
• Prior board experience

How to Apply:

Email a copy of your resume to volunteerrecruitment@commoncompass.com with the subject: Board Director, Vice Chair.

We can’t wait to meet you! Stay connected by following us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.

About Common Compass

Common Compass is an Ontario-based registered charity. Our mission is to empower youth, their schools, and communities by strengthening social-emotional well-being and mental health through evidence-informed programs and fostering systemic change.

As a member of the Board of Directors, you will help guide this work and contribute to creating school communities where young people feel a stronger sense of belonging, inclusion, and positive mental health.

We envision a future where every young person reaches their potential to transform their schools and communities into places that promote belonging, inclusion, and positive mental health for all. Over the last 10 years, we have worked across 8 school boards, with more than 12,000 students, parents, and educators.

Our Mission:

Empower youth, their schools, and communities by strengthening social and emotional well-being and mental health. We do this through:

1. Research-based, tailored programming for students, educators, and parents
2. Fostering systemic change through amplifying student voice, coaching schools, and advocacy

Board Membership:

Every charity and non-profit organization is required by law to have a volunteer Board of Directors. Board members are the fiduciaries who steer an organization towards a sustainable future by adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and financial management policies and ensuring the nonprofit has adequate resources to advance its mission.

Who We Are Looking For:

We are seeking candidates who are passionate about youth mental health, social-emotional well-being, education, and community impact. Priority skills and experience may include:

• Fundraising and donor engagement
• Governance, policy, or non-profit board experience
• Volunteer recruitment, human resources, or people leadership
• Marketing, communications, or public relations
• Finance, accounting, or financial oversight
• School partnerships, youth mental health, community outreach, or advocacy

Overall responsibilities of all board members:

Monitoring & Oversight:

• Board members are responsible for the organization’s long-term financial and programmatic health and for overseeing the organization’s mission by collaboratively working with one another and the Executive Director.
• Approve annual budget; monitor the overall financial health of the organization by reviewing and approving the annual report of the accountant recommended by the Treasurer
• Support the organization by assisting with developing resources and policies
• Attend to the legal and fiduciary responsibilities of the non-profit

Regular & Meaningful Participation:

• Attend board meetings regularly (held bi-monthly via Zoom and 2 hours in length)
• Come to meetings well-prepared and well-informed about issues on the agenda, ready to contribute
• Maintain confidentiality of board discussions
• Contribute to a long-range plan for the organization, including taking a leadership role in strategic planning.
• Support and participate in Common Compass events by attending and contributing time, energy, and expertise to programs and activities, including one large fundraising event per year, and other physical and digital events/campaigns.
• Make an annual personal contribution at a level that is meaningful to the individual, and support fundraising efforts through personal and professional networks where possible.
• Taking a leadership role in one operational and/or executive area as part of being a working board (see below)

Active Championing of the Organization to External and Internal Stakeholders:

• Be well-versed in organizational key messaging and be able to relay the impact of the organization’s mission and vision at organizational events, external networking events, and in their own personal and professional networks.
• Represent the organization to individuals, the public, and other organizations in a positive and professional manner
• Serve as a champion of the organization by identifying and helping to cultivate opportunities, relationships, and individuals who may help the organization grow
• Seek funding opportunities to secure adequate funding for the organization (e.g., identifying fundraising opportunities, networking on behalf of the organization, participating in fundraising activities).

Board Recruitment & Stewardship:

• Ensure the continued strength of the Board through careful recruitment, selection, orientation, and stewardship of board members, as well as periodic self-evaluation

Active Participation in the Work of the Organization:

At this time in the history of Common Compass and being a relatively small organization, the organization has a working board. Members take a leadership role along with the Executive Director, in one of the following operational areas:

1. Marketing, Communications & PR
2. Fundraising
3. Business Development- School Programs
4. Business Development- New Revenue Streams
5. Finance
6. Governance
7. Community Outreach & Advocacy
8. Volunteer Recruitment & Human Resources

Time Commitment:

An average of 3 hours per week (including the bi-monthly Board meeting, monthly Executive meeting and regular Governance sub-committee meetings as scheduled). The time commitment during July and August is substantially less and can vary depending on the priorities of the subcommittee/ role.

Term:

2 years, renewable for one term. Additionally, at the end of your term, help to fill your role.

Application Process:

Please submit a resume/CV with a cover letter explaining your interest, experience, and qualifications by email to volunteerrecruitment@commoncompass.com with the subject: Board Director, Vice Chair.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis in 2026. Interviews will be scheduled with shortlisted candidates as applications are received. This is a non-paid, volunteer board of director position.

Candidates selected for the positions must complete a police check (cost is not reimbursed by the Organization) and meet all eligibility requirements described in relevant By-law article(s) and Board policy. Reference checks will be conducted.

We welcome and encourage applicants from equity-seeking groups, including individuals with lived experience connected to youth mental health, education systems, newcomer communities, disability, racial equity, and other underrepresented perspectives.

Professional references will be required as part of the application process.