Volunteer Board Director

Call for Nominations Join the Board of Directors – Applaud People in Public Service (Applaud) The Opportunity

Applaud – People in Public Service is a non-profit association dedicated to recognizing the people behind public impact—those working in government, agencies, municipalities, and the Broader Public Sector across Ontario. We highlight their contributions, elevate their stories, and strengthen a culture of public service leadership, recognition, and community impact.

We are currently inviting nominations for our Policy Governance Board of Directors at an exciting stage in the organization’s growth and evolution. As we continue to expand our reach and deepen our impact across Ontario’s public service community, we are seeking experienced, values-driven leaders to help guide our strategic direction and policy governance.

Applaud has a Policy Governance Board that provides strategic oversight by setting the organization’s direction, defining expectations and outcomes, and monitoring performance, while delegating while delegating operational authority to the Executive Director.

Who We Are Looking For

We are seeking Board Directors with demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following priority areas:

• Finance, Audit, and Risk Oversight – senior financial leadership, accounting, investment, audit, or treasury experience.
• Legal, Governance, and Regulatory Compliance – legal professionals or leaders with strong compliance and policy governance expertise.
• Human Resources and Organizational Development (Senior Leadership) – executive-level HR, talent strategy, workforce planning, compensation and organizational effectiveness experience

In addition, ideal candidates will bring:

• Strong experience in policy governance board leadership
• The ability to operate at a strategic, oversight-focused level
• A commitment to advancing the mission of recognizing and strengthening public service in Ontario

About Applaud

Applaud is a free membership association for individuals currently working in or retired from public service in Ontario, including the Ontario Public Service (OPS), Broader Public Sector (BPS), and municipalities. With a growing membership of approximately 38,000 members, Applaud delivers recognition programs, member benefits, and engagement initiatives that celebrate public service contributions across the province.

Strategic Priorities (2026–2028)

Our Board is currently guiding the organization through three key strategic priorities:

• Association of Choice – strengthening member value and engagement
• Grow Relationships – expanding partnerships and sector collaboration
• Business Excellence – enhancing sustainability, governance, and operational effectiveness

Board Governance and Skills Expectations

The Applaud Board operates under a Policy Governance Model, focusing on strategic leadership, accountability, and long-term stewardship rather than operational management.

Core Governance Competencies (All Directors)

• Strategic thinking and systems awareness
• Governance literacy and policy-based oversight
• Financial acumen and risk management capability
• Ethical leadership and sound judgment
• Ability to interpret organizational performance indicators

Leadership and Interpersonal Skills

• Collaborative and constructive board participation
• Willingness to challenge thinking respectfully
• Strong communication and interpersonal effectiveness
• Emotional intelligence and professionalism in group decision-making
• Commitment to preparation and active engagement

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA)

• Commitment to inclusive governance practices
• Ability to apply a DEIA lens in decision-making
• Support for building a respectful and diverse board culture

Other Considerations

• Prior board or governance experience (preferred, not always required)
• Ability to meet time commitments and serve on committees
• Independence and absence of material conflicts of interest
• Capacity to contribute to a high-functioning, strategic board environment

Role of the Board

Board Directors serve as stewards of Applaud’s mission, vision, and long-term sustainability.

Vision:

We see a world where those who choose a career in public service are valued.

Mission:

We cultivate a community that recognizes, celebrates, and promotes public service by supporting, educating, connecting, and rewarding members with high-quality programming and services.

Key Responsibilities

Directors are responsible for:

• Providing strategic and generative leadership
• Establishing and maintaining governance and policy frameworks
• Overseeing organizational performance and Executive Director accountability
• Ensuring financial stewardship, sustainability, and audit oversight
• Upholding ethical, legal, and fiduciary responsibilities
• Contributing to board effectiveness and development
• Acting as ambassadors for Applaud within the broader community

Term and Commitment

• Elected term: 3 years, commencing following the AGM on July 29, 2026
• Maximum service: 3 consecutive terms (9 years total)

Expected time commitment:

• Approximately 7–10 hours per month

Includes:

• 7 Board meetings annually (including strategy and planning sessions)
• Committee participation (minimum one committee per Director)
• Annual General Meeting (July)
• Annual Strategy Session (October)
• Preparation and review of all meeting materials

How to Apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit:

• A brief expression of interest
• A current resume/CV to lesley@applaudpublicservice.ca

Deadline for Applications: June 12, 2026, End of Business Day 5 pm.

For those applicants chosen for an interview, the interviews will take place from June 22nd to the 30th, 2026.

Applicants must:

• Reside in Ontario
• Hold Canadian citizenship
• Be 18 years of age or older
• Not have a criminal record

Equity, Accessibility & Accommodations

Applaud is committed to a transparent, equitable, and accessible nomination process. We actively encourage applications from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and communities to ensure our Board reflects the public service communities we serve.

If you require accommodation to support your application process, please contact us.

Contact

Lesley Brown

Executive Director

Applaud – People in Public Service

lesley@applaudpublicservice.ca