Chair of the Board of Governors.

The Nominating Committee of Scouts Canada is seeking applications for the role of Chair of the Board of Governors.

Candidates must be committed to the values and principles of Scouting, firmly believe that the Scouting Movement benefits Canadian society, and be known for their honesty, integrity, and strong personal ethics. We encourage youth members, aged 18-26, to apply.

Details on the nomination and application process, as well as further information about the Board of Governors and Past Chairs, are available at the end of this volunteer opportunity description.

Role Description

The Chair of the Board does more than just Chair Board meetings. The following is a summary of the Chair’s responsibilities.

1. Governance Leadership & Board Stewardship

Primary Role: Lead the Board in fulfilling its governance responsibilities

• Ensure the Board focuses on risk management, strategy, oversight, and policy, not operations.
• Safeguard the integrity of governance processes.
• Ensure a clear distinction between Board and management roles.
• Guide the Board in fulfilling its legal, fiduciary, and ethical obligations.

1. Board Meeting Leadership

Primary Role: Ensure meetings are effective, disciplined, and strategic

• Direct and approve meeting agendas (typically in partnership with the CEO/National Key 3 (NK3)).
• Preside over Board of Governors meetings, special general meetings of the Members, and the Annual General Meeting.
• Facilitate balanced participation and constructive debate among all Board members.
• Ensure that decisions are properly framed and documented.
• Manage conflicts and maintain decorum during meetings.
• Summarize discussions and clarify resolutions before votes are taken.
• Ensure follow-up on action items.

1. CEO/NK3 Relationship

Primary Role: Act as the Board’s primary liaison with the CEO/NK3

• Serve as the NK3’s main governance contact.
• Provide counsel, support, and feedback to the CEO/NK3.
• Lead the CEO performance evaluation process.
• Ensure CEO compensation and contracts are Board-approved.
• Support succession planning for the CEO and Executive Leadership Team (ELT).
• Act as a sounding Board to the NK3 during crises.

1. Strategic Oversight

Primary Role: Keep the Board focused on the long-term mission and strategy

• Ensure that strategic planning occurs and receives Board approval.
• Monitor the implementation of strategic priorities.
• Guide the Board’s engagement in strategic dialogue.

1. Board Effectiveness & Development

Primary Role: Build a strong, engaged Board

• Participate in Board recruitment and succession planning as a member of the Nominating Committee.
• Support the Governance Committee with onboarding and orientation of new Board members.
• Lead the Board’s self-evaluation processes.
• Address any issues related to underperformance or conduct among Board members.
• Foster a culture of trust, openness, and accountability.

1. External Representation

Primary Role: Represent the Board and the organization when appropriate

• Serve as an ambassador for the organization.
• Handle media inquiries on behalf of the Board as required.
• Represent the Board in relationships with stakeholders, including the World Organization of the Scouting Movement (WOSM), affiliated entities, government, and other partners.
• Speak on behalf of the Board at major events (where appropriate).
• Address member issues escalated to the Board by either redirecting them to the appropriate management level or handling them directly when necessary.

1. Committee Oversight

Primary Role: Ensure that the committee structure supports governance

• Develop an annual Board Work plan, including committee structures, committee Co-Chairs, and members
• Ensure the committee structure complies with Scouts Canada’s bylaws
• Ensure committees have clear mandates

What the Chair Is Not Responsible For

To prevent role confusion, the Chair:

• Does not manage staff
• Does not override the Board
• Does not act independently of governance processes
• Does not substitute for the CEO

Who We’re Looking For

We ask that applicants have a strong belief in the Scouting Movement and be willing to commit the time and work to push the Movement forward. Please note that being a member of Scouts is not required, although past scouting experience will be considered.

In reviewing applications, the Nominating Committee will consider candidates’ experience and skills, including:

• Previous Scouting Experience (including roles as a youth member and roles ranging from scouter to Board member).
• Corporate Governance Experience (including previous membership of other Boards or similar bodies, professional director designations, etc.).
• Professional or Domain Experience (key areas include digital transformation, marketing, risk management, and strategy).
• Corporate crisis management experience, with emphasis on managing challenging financial situations.
• Legal experience, with an emphasis on corporate law
• Soft Skills (including consensus building, accountability, independence, leadership, maturity, being a team player, diligence, communication, and active listening).

In line with Scouts Canada’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, the Nominating Committee strongly encourages applications from diverse candidates with varied skills, backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences.

Time Commitment

• The role typically requires 10-15 hours per week, with periods requiring significantly more time occurring with some regularity and with little advance notice.
• Board members are required to attend 4 in-person meetings each year, each of which typically lasts a full weekend.
• In addition, the Chair of the Board is required to be available to meet regularly with the CEO and other members of the NK3, to participate in stakeholder engagement, to work with other youth-serving organizations, to represent the Board publicly as required, and to respond to governance-related member inquiries and concerns.

Please note: All Board members (Except the CEO) are volunteers and serve without remuneration. Board members are eligible for reimbursement of any expenses incurred to attend Board meetings.

How Can People Apply?

• You may submit your own name or recommend another nominee.
• Each submission must be accompanied by:
• A resume
• A written confirmation from the nominee acknowledging that they are willing to serve, have a full understanding of the position, and are ready to take it on
• A brief statement (maximum 400 words) that summarizes their reason for being interested in the role and a view of what they believe they will bring to the position

Please submit your application to the Nominating Committee at publicappts@scouts.ca by April 10, 2026.

Nomination Process

The Nominating Committee will be working to finalize its recommendation for the position of Chair of the Board by June and wishes to compile a short list of candidates for the position by April. As such, the Committee is soliciting nominations for the Chair of the Board position in March. A subsequent public appointment process will be held for all other Board positions (except national key three and past Chair) starting later in July.

The recommendations of the Nominating Committee will be presented, and Board members will be elected by Scouts Canada’s voting members, at the Annual General Meeting on Saturday, November 28, 2026.

More information about the Board of Governors

The Board of Governors is the senior decision-making body in Scouts Canada and is responsible for ensuring that the organization adheres to its Mission and Principles and has a strong strategic direction to guide its activities. The Board ensures that appropriate policies and procedures are in place across Scouts Canada, and that an appropriate management team is in place to direct and oversee all activities.

Full information on the role and responsibilities of the Board can be found in our bylaws, particularly in article 4 and article 5, available on Scouts.ca. Further details on the Chair role are included below.