Board Director (Volunteer, Not-for-Profit)

Volunteer Opportunity: Board Director

Role Focus: Governance, Strategic Leadership, and Community Ambassador

Position Type: Volunteer Director (Operational & Governance Board; Virtual meetings with essential weekday morning event presence in Aurora, ON)

Time Commitment: Approximately 4 to 5 scheduled Board meetings per year (2–3 hours each, primarily virtual), PLUS active operational attendance at roughly 17 Monday morning program sessions (9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.) distributed across the Fall, Winter, and Spring.

Term of Office: 3 years (Renewable)

Third Age Learning York Region (TALYR) is a federally registered nonprofit organization offering intellectually engaging lectures and webinars for retired and semi-retired adults across York Region. Our annual season spans three distinct series: online presentations (via Zoom) in the Winter and Fall, and highly popular in-person lectures in Aurora in the Spring. Our programs explore science, history, social issues, current affairs, the arts, and culture for people who love learning and ideas.

As a small, entirely volunteer-driven organization with no paid staff, our Board of Directors is at the heart of everything we do. Board members provide the vital governance, financial oversight, and organizational judgment that allow TALYR to serve its members well, protect its legacy, and foster sustainable regional growth.

Governance & Security Note: Per organizational bylaws, the Board consists of a minimum of five and a maximum of nine members. To ensure absolute peace of mind for our leadership team, all TALYR Board members are fully covered by a comprehensive Directors and Officers Liability Insurance policy.

Additionally, series ticket fees are completely waived for all active Board members across all three annual series.

Operational Reality Note: Because TALYR operates with zero paid staff, our Board functions de facto as both a 'governance' board and an 'operating/management' board. The 'hands' in our hands-on leadership team are the Directors themselves. For this reason, candidates require true daytime workplace flexibility during standard business hours.

About the Role

Beyond its core fiduciary and governance functions, the TALYR Board plays an active, hands-on role in shaping the identity of the organization. All educational programs are reviewed and approved at the Board level alongside committee recommendations. Board members serve as vital ambassadors, attending presentations both to understand the member experience and to warmly interface with our community. This role is a rewarding blend of macro-level strategy and rewarding local community connection.

What You Will Do

• Guide Strategic Governance: Attend 4 to 5 scheduled Board meetings per year, held primarily via Zoom with occasional in-person sessions at central York Region locations.
• Provide Fiduciary Oversight: Participate collaboratively in strategic planning, financial budgeting, and organizational risk management.
• Review & Approve Programming: Review proposed seasonal lecture schedules and speaker allocations alongside the Program Committee to ensure high educational standards.
• Act as a Community Ambassador: Attend TALYR’s spring in-person lecture series in Aurora whenever possible to represent the Board, welcome members, and support operations.
• Engage in Lifelong Learning: Participate in the winter and fall Zoom presentation series as an engaged audience member.
• Lead Special Initiatives (Optional): Serve on or champion localized sub-committees (such as Technology, Communications, or Finance) based on your personal background and interest.

Time Commitment & Availability

• Governance Meetings: Approximately 4 to 5 scheduled Board meetings per year (typically 2–3 hours each, primarily virtual), plus light email consultation between sessions.
• Program Presence (Critical Availability): Board members serve as active operational hosts and ambassadors. Our complete educational calendar requires availability on roughly 17 Monday mornings per year from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (accounting for setup and take-down around the 10:00 a.m. – noon lecture frame). This includes 10–11 online Winter/Fall Zoom webinars and 6–7 Spring in-person lectures at the Aurora Cineplex. Due to this recurring weekday morning schedule, this role is ideally suited for retired/semi-retired individuals or those with absolute control over their professional daytime calendar.

What We Are Looking For

We warmly welcome candidates from diverse professional and personal backgrounds. Prior experience on a non-profit board is not required; we are fully prepared to provide thorough onboarding. While what matters most is an active mind and a desire to contribute to a collegial, purposeful team, skills in any of the following areas are particularly useful to TALYR right now:

• Non-Profit Governance: Experience with board procedures, committee structures, or legal/regulatory frameworks.
• Financial Management: Backgrounds in accounting, bookkeeping, or small organization budgeting.
• Marketing & Communications: Savvy with public relations, digital brand positioning, or local community outreach.
• Technology & Infrastructure: Comfort advising on web-based tools, member databases, or live event AV setups.
• Event & Program Planning: Strengths in logistics, hospitality, or coordinating educational presentation series.

How to Express Interest

If you value lifelong learning and want to lend a few hours a month to guide a successful, cherished community asset, TALYR is your perfect home. Please send a brief note of interest describing your professional background, your connection to York Region, and why TALYR’s work appeals to you to:

Email: talyr@rogers.com

Subject Line: "Volunteer Inquiry: Board Director"

Website: www.talyr.ca