Board of Directors - Member

CAPITAL RAINBOW REFUGE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Expression of Interest - CRR is currently seeking members for the Board of Directors to serve on its Board of Directors.

Position: Member of the Board of Directors,

Position Duration: Until June; potentially standing for election for 1-2 years

Apply: Please email your resume to info@capitalrainbow.ca with the subject line

'Board Member Application'

Questions?: Contact Lisa Hébert, Board Chair at Lisa@capitalrainbow.ca

🟣About Capital Rainbow Refuge

Capital Rainbow Refuge (CRR) is a charity and non-profit organization founded in 2010 to sponsor and support sexual and gender minority refugees. It is based in the national capital region and Eastern Ontario. CRR mentors other LGBTQI+ refugee sponsorship groups and assists in the settlement of LGBTQI+ refugees who have arrived by other means (including inland refugee claimants, government refugees, and newcomers).

CRR also engages in advocacy at all levels of government as a member of the Borders to Belonging national coalition for LGBTQ refugees.

🟣Board Purpose

The Board of Directors is composed of 9 or more volunteers who are responsible for the governance of Capital Rainbow Refuge. The Board accomplishes the organization’s mandate through goal setting, developing strategic priorities, decision-making, advising, and setting policy. The Board sets the vision, values, and path forward, in service of CRR’s constituent members. The Board should be guided by the principles of accountability, collaboration, commitment, and DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion), and grounded in anti-oppressive practices.

CRR is a collaborative organization, led by volunteers, working closely with our dedicated staff.

🟣Roles and Responsibilities of the Board

Being on the Board of Capital Rainbow Refuge is a unique opportunity to impact the future and governance of Capital Rainbow Refuge, overseeing the creation of systems, structures, and policies that will allow the organization to enter into a new phase of sustainable growth. The Board designates the Officers of the Corporation and appoints a Chair of the Board, Vice Chair, a Secretary and a Treasurer as well as any other Officers that the Board may determine.

The Board of Directors supervises the management of the Corporation, gives direction to the Managing Director, and is responsible for oversight for staff and volunteers, and collaborates in the governance of the organization. The Board supervises the leadership of the Corporation, and sets strategic priorities for the organization.

🟣BOARD OF DIRECTORS - Expression of Interest

CRR requires individuals with a wide array of skillsets. Priority areas for expertise, knowledge and experience include: finance, fundraising, internal and external communications, and organizational capacity building. Capital Rainbow Refuge is committed to centering the perspectives and insights of individuals with lived experience as LGBTQI+ refugees and newcomers at all levels of leadership within the organization. Individuals with lived experience as LGBTQI+ refugees are encouraged to apply and self-identify. People of colour are encouraged to apply.

Directors must have the time and capacity to dedicate to guiding new initiatives. The Board of Directors meets ten times per year for an approximate duration of 2-3 hours per meeting. All Directors are expected to serve on one or more committees established by the Board, and to be a Board liaison to one Board Committee, such as: Governance, Finance & Audit, Fundraising, Human Resources, Qmunity, Sponsorship, Strategic Planning. There can also be Board Retreats, and Events.

Directors are elected at the June AGM, normally for a term of two (2) years, with half of the board being elected each year.

Required Qualifications

• Must be a member in good standing of Capital Rainbow Refuge
• Over 18 years old
• Demonstrated commitment to supporting LGBTQI+ refugees
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to the multiple, often intersecting, inequities experienced by LGBTQI+ refugees
• Enthusiastic about organization building
• Able to collaborate to achieve common goals
• Able to effectively communicate with constituents and external stakeholders from diverse social and cultural backgrounds

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience and knowledge in any of the following areas: networking, fundraising, capacity building, and finance
• Previous experience participating in, or facilitating, equity and inclusion
• Fluency in a language other than English (including French, Arabic, Spanish, etc.) is an asset
• Diverse sexual orientation and gender identity, and racial diversity is an asset
• Lived experience as an LGBTQI+ refugee or newcomer is an asset

Commitment - Directors must be enthusiastic about organization building and governance.