CMHA Ontario Board Member (Volunteer)

Organization Background

Founded in 1952, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario, is a non-profit, charitable organization committed to improving services and support for individuals living with mental illnesses and addictions issues, and to the promotion of mental health in Ontario.

CMHA Ontario achieves its purpose by being a leader in the evolution of Ontario’s mental health and addictions system. We contribute our knowledge, resources and skills to provincial policy development and implementation. We promote mental health in collaboration with others. We further equitable access to mental health services and champion the reduction of mental health disparities.

CMHA Ontario is a dedicated partner within the network of Canadian Mental Health Associations at the national, provincial, and local level. CMHA Ontario works closely with its 27 local branches in communities across the province to ensure the utilization of best practices in the organization, management and delivery of services to consumers and families of individuals with mental illness.

Board of Director Responsibilities

The Board of Directors of CMHA Ontario is responsible for establishing the provincial organization’s strategic direction and goals, setting the policies and practices that govern its actions and for overseeing the use of the organizations’ resources used to achieve its goals.

The CMHA Ontario Board of Directors has adopted a “results-based governance model.” Under this model, the Board is not involved in the operations of the organization and is accountable for ensuring that the organization adheres to its strategic direction and works to achieve the strategic goals approved by the Board. The Board adopts and monitors the policies and procedures used by the organization to fulfill its objectives and measures outcomes to ensure that goals are achieved, and risks are minimized.

Individual Director Responsibilities

• Be committed to understanding and adhering to the vision, purpose and core values of the Association;
• Be aware of, and committed to, the strategic directions and goals of the Association
• Work positively, co-operatively and respectfully as a member of the team with other Directors and with the Association’s management and staff;
• Respect and abide by Board decisions;
• Serve on at least one standing committee, if required;
• Attend Board and committee meetings regularly;
• Complete the necessary background preparation to participate effectively in meetings of the Board and its committees;
• Keep informed about matters relating to the Association;
• Participate in an initial orientation as a new Director and on-going Board education;
• Participate in an annual evaluation of overall Board effectiveness, as well as an individual self-reflection;
• Abide by the conflict-of-interest standards;
• Act honestly and in good faith in exercising powers and discharging duties with a view to the best interests of the Association while exercising the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances; and
• Ensure that the business of the Association is kept confidential.

Attributes:

• Ability to articulate ideas and opinions clearly
• Capacity to work productively as a member of a deliberative group
• Ability to collaborate with others
• Ability to respect opinions of others
• Ability to think strategically
• Ability to meet time and effort requirements
• Commitment to CMHA Ontario’s vision, purpose and values

Skills & Experience:

Experience in any of the below would be considered an asset

• Business
• Governance
• Fundraising / Advancement
• Risk Management
• Corporate Finance / Accounting
• Legal
• Continuous Quality Improvement

Time Commitment

The Board meets in person in Toronto four Saturdays a year from 8 am – 1 pm and an additional two to three times via teleconference. In total, the board meets for about 25 – 30 hours per year.

Board members are also expected to participate on at least one of the four standing committees (Executive Committee, Results Monitoring and Audit Committee, Governance Committee, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Anti-Racism Committee).

The standing committees meet 4 – 6 teams per year for one hour via teleconference.

CMHA Ontario Division commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility and anti-racism

The CMHA Ontario is an equal opportunity organization. We’re committed to diversity and are building a broad foundation of expertise and skill sets at our board table. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified candidates including, but not limited to, applicants of all genders, ethnocultural or racialized backgrounds, youth, members of visible minorities and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, persons with disabilities, including people with lived experience of mental health and addictions issues and their family members, and people from northern communities, and First Nations, Inuit and Métis populations. Accommodations at all stages of the selection process are available on request.

Candidates with a background in governance/finance, indigenous mental health and/or the justice sector are particularly encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume using the online application portal here.

Closing date: Friday, October 31, 2025

We thank all applicants for their interest and advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.