Vice Chair - Board Director for our Queer Seniors Society

Position Title: Member of the Board of Directors – Vice Chair

Length of Term: Two years (renewable)

Reports To: Entire Board of Directors

Dignity Seniors Society seeks an exceptional leader from BC's 2SLGBTQIA+ older adult community to serve as Vice Chair of our Board of Directors.

This is more than a board position—it's a leadership journey. Our succession plan ensures you'll receive comprehensive mentoring and full support from our current Chair as you prepare to step into the Chair role the following year.

Why This Role Matters

As Vice Chair, you'll help shape the future of services and advocacy for 2SLGBTQIA+ seniors across BC. Your lived experience, combined with your leadership skills, will strengthen our community and ensure our elders' voices are heard and valued.

What We're Looking For:

• A commitment to improving the lives of BC’s 2SLGBTQIA+ older adults
• Board governance experience or a strong willingness to learn
• Strategic thinking and collaborative leadership skills
• Connection to BC's diverse 2SLGBTQIA+ communities
• Availability to attend board meetings and participate actively

What We Offer:

• Structured mentorship from our experienced Chair and board members
• The opportunity to lead meaningful change
• A supportive, inclusive board environment
• A clear path to the Chair position. As Chair of DSS you will have the support of the Past Chair, Vice Chair 8 Board directors and an active committee structure that delegates work appropriately.

Vice-Chair Responsibilities:

• Attends board meetings and attend any appropriate committee meetings
• Assumes the responsibilities of the role of Chair in the Chair’s absence
• Represent the Society at stakeholder meetings and public forums
• Commit to remaining current and researching the subject of 2SLGTBQIA+ senior’s issues
• Researching issues of health for 2SLGTBQIA+ seniors and deciding (with other relevant Board, Committee and/or Working Group members) on how to action information promulgation and advocacy requirements as appropriate
• Research and draft DSS position papers as requested by the Board
• Understand and promote the society’s mission, and is a member of the 2SLGTBQIA+ community in order to best represent the diverse group of queer voices, experiences and perspectives that we serve.
• Be familiar with the society’s programs, policies, and operations
• Participate in any special events relevant to the society
• Strictly adhere to conflict of interest and confidentiality policies

The Board of Directors is legally and ethically responsible for all activities of the organization. To that end it:

• Determines how the society will carry out its mission through long and short-range planning
• Oversees the development of the DSS budget and provides fiscal oversight
• Annually reviews/develops the DSS strategic plan
• Recruits, orients, and develops board members and develops succession plans
• Evaluates their performance and overall performance of the society in achieving the mission
• Establishes policies for the effective management and sustainability of the society
• May hire and evaluates the performance of an Executive Director

A DSS Board Member can expect to contribute 4-7 hours per month in related DSS activities.

Time Demands (approximate):

• Attend and actively participate in at least 7 of out of the 9 board meetings per year (meetings occur online every 6 weeks and are 1.5-2 hours in length)
• Attend and actively participate in committee/group meetings and related work (2-6 hrs/ mo)
• Attend and actively participate in the annual strategic planning meeting (2 full day/year)
• Attend and actively participate in the annual general meeting (5 hrs in length)
• When able, participate in community outreach in your region (special events, fundraisers, etc) that further DSS’s mission and scope within the community (1-3/year)
• Attend and/or assist with new board member orientation when able (2-4 hrs/member)

Ready to make a lasting impact? If you have any question please contact volunteer@dignityseniors.org