Volunteer Board of Directors - Treasurer and Legal/Governance

Volunteer Board Directors – Treasurer & Legal/Governance

Wellchild Niagara | Volunteer Board of Directors

About Wellchild Niagara

Wellchild Niagara is a growing nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the well-being, connection, and development of children and families through inclusive, play-based, nature-connected, and wellness-focused programming.

As our organization grows, we are intentionally building a Board of Directors with a diverse range of professional expertise, lived experience, and community perspectives.

We are currently seeking two new volunteer Board Directors who can strengthen the organization's governance and long-term sustainability:

• Treasurer – bringing expertise in finance, accounting, budgeting, and financial oversight
• Director – Legal & Governance – bringing expertise in law, governance, compliance, risk management, or related areas

These are volunteer governance positions. We are looking for individuals who are interested not only in sharing their professional expertise, but in contributing thoughtfully to the direction and growth of a young and evolving nonprofit.

Opportunity 1: Volunteer Board Director – Treasurer

About the Role

The Treasurer will work collaboratively with the Board of Directors and Executive Director to provide financial oversight, support responsible financial decision-making, and help ensure that Wellchild Niagara maintains strong financial practices as the organization grows.

This is a volunteer governance position and does not involve day-to-day bookkeeping. We are looking for someone who can bring financial knowledge, thoughtful oversight, and a willingness to help a growing nonprofit develop sustainable financial systems.

Key Responsibilities

The Treasurer will:

• Provide financial oversight and guidance to the Board of Directors
• Work with the Executive Director to monitor the organization's financial position
• Review financial reports and help the Board understand financial trends, risks, and opportunities
• Support the development and monitoring of annual budgets
• Assist with financial policies, procedures, and internal controls
• Help ensure appropriate financial reporting to the Board and relevant stakeholders
• Support the Board in fulfilling its fiduciary responsibilities
• Participate in Board discussions and decision-making related to financial sustainability
• Help oversee the organization's banking, accounting, budgeting, and financial reporting processes
• Contribute to long-term financial planning and organizational sustainability
• Participate in Board meetings and committees as appropriate

Who We're Looking For

We are particularly interested in individuals with experience in:

• Accounting, bookkeeping, finance, budgeting, banking, or financial management
• Nonprofit or charitable-sector financial oversight
• Financial reporting and interpretation
• Budget development and monitoring
• Internal controls and financial policies
• Governance and fiduciary responsibilities

A professional accounting designation or nonprofit finance experience would be an asset, but is not required.

Opportunity 2: Volunteer Board Director – Legal & Governance

About the Role

The Legal & Governance Director will bring legal, regulatory, compliance, and risk-management expertise to the Board of Directors and help Wellchild Niagara strengthen its governance practices as the organization grows.

This role is intended for someone who can help the Board identify and thoughtfully consider legal and organizational risks, strengthen governance systems, and ensure that the organization is positioned for sustainable growth.

This is not intended to be a day-to-day legal counsel role. Rather, we are seeking a Board member who can bring a legal and governance perspective to organizational decision-making and help the Board understand its responsibilities and obligations.

Key Responsibilities

The Legal & Governance Director will:

• Provide legal and governance perspective to the Board of Directors
• Support the Board in understanding its legal and fiduciary responsibilities
• Help identify and assess organizational risks and potential areas of liability
• Provide guidance on governance policies, procedures, and Board practices
• Review and provide perspective on organizational agreements, contracts, and policies as appropriate
• Support the development and ongoing review of governance-related policies
• Contribute to discussions related to compliance, risk management, privacy, employment, accessibility, and organizational operations
• Support the organization as it continues to develop its nonprofit governance structure
• Provide perspective on matters related to Ontario nonprofit and charitable organizations
• Participate in Board meetings and committees as appropriate
• Help ensure that legal and governance considerations are incorporated into strategic decision-making

Who We're Looking For

We are particularly interested in individuals with professional experience in:

• Law or legal services
• Nonprofit or charitable law
• Corporate or commercial law
• Employment law
• Governance and regulatory compliance
• Risk management
• Privacy and information management
• Contracts and agreements
• Accessibility or regulatory matters
• Board governance

Experience working with Ontario nonprofit organizations or registered charities would be particularly valuable.

A practicing lawyer is preferred; however, individuals with significant professional experience in legal, governance, compliance, regulatory, or risk-management fields are also encouraged to express interest.

What We Value in Our Board Members

Regardless of role, we are looking for Board members who are:

• Passionate about improving opportunities and outcomes for children and families
• Collaborative, reliable, and thoughtful
• Comfortable contributing to a small and growing organization
• Willing to share their knowledge, skills, and perspective
• Committed to inclusive and accessible programming
• Able to approach organizational decision-making with curiosity, care, and sound judgment
• Interested in contributing to the long-term development and sustainability of Wellchild Niagara

We value diverse perspectives and professional backgrounds and recognize that strong boards are built through complementary expertise rather than a single type of experience.

Our Board

Wellchild Niagara's current Board of Directors brings together experience in nonprofit leadership, education, social work and child and youth services, camp and program leadership, early childhood education and wellness, post-secondary education, data and systems management, and community engagement.

We are now seeking to further strengthen the Board's collective expertise through financial leadership and legal/governance knowledge.

These additions are part of our intentional approach to building a well-rounded Board capable of providing strong oversight while supporting the organization's continued growth.

Building a Board That Reflects Our Community

As we grow, we are intentionally working toward a Board of Directors that reflects the diversity of the children, families, and communities we serve.

We welcome individuals with a wide range of backgrounds, identities, lived experiences, perspectives, and professional expertise. We recognize that strong governance is strengthened when decisions are informed by people who bring different ways of understanding and experiencing the world.

We are particularly interested in connecting with individuals who may be underrepresented in nonprofit leadership and governance, and who can bring perspectives that are not currently represented around our Board table.

You do not need to have previous Board experience to be considered. We value the knowledge, relationships, lived experience, and community perspectives that individuals bring alongside their professional skills.

Time Commitment

These are volunteer positions.

Board members are expected to attend regularly scheduled Board meetings, participate in Board discussions and decision-making, and contribute additional time periodically based on their area of expertise and Board responsibilities.

We are committed to establishing a consistent meeting schedule that supports meaningful participation while recognizing that Board members are contributing their time voluntarily.

Why Join Our Board?

Joining the Wellchild Niagara Board is an opportunity to help shape the future of a growing organization and contribute your skills to something that directly supports children, families, and our community.

As an early-stage nonprofit, Board members have the opportunity to do more than simply oversee an established organization — they can help build the systems, relationships, and foundation that will shape Wellchild Niagara for years to come.

You will have the opportunity to contribute your professional expertise while working alongside a passionate group of individuals who share a commitment to creating inclusive, meaningful, and accessible opportunities for children and families.