Volunteer Board Position: Member at Large

Come join a growing Board at a transformative and forward-thinking organization!

We are seeking a volunteer Board Members with expertise in Human Resources.

This position would start in the spring of 2026 and continue until June 2028, with the potential to continue if elected for a further two years. The Board of Directors meets up to 10 times a year, monthly and mostly virtually. Meetings, when in-person, are held in central Toronto. Previous board experience an asset. Familiarity with board governance of not-for-profit charities preferred.

The expectations of all board members are:

• Provide oversight of the Executive Director (ED) and the organization's strategic direction
• Support Extend-A-Family’s vision, mission, and values.
• Actively participate in board meetings and occasionally on committees or ad hoc working groups.
• Attend two Extend-A-Family events annually.
• Attend trainings or planning days as they arise(1 is expected per year)
• Read materials provided prior to meetings.
• Attend up to 10 board meetings, and AGM, 2 hours each.

It is anticipated that this will be a time commitment of 4 to 6 hours per month.

Expertise sought in the area of Human Resources

• Formal training and experience as Human Resources professional
• Understanding of Employment Standards Act
• An interest in learning about the important work our Extend-A-Family Coordinators do in working with youth and families

Who is Extend-A-Family?

Extend-A-Family works in the community to facilitate the building of relationships between youth who have disabilities and other members of the community. We believe that all people belong and that our community is stronger when all members are included. We foster public awareness of the gifts and contributions of people with disabilities.

Extend-A-Family is a not-for-profit, charitable organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of parents of children with disabilities, self-advocates and community members. Extend-A-Family is financially supported by the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Youth Services, The City of Toronto Community Service Partnerships Program, and other donors.

The Core Work of Extend-A-Family

The core work of Extend-A-Family is about relationship. Our relationships keep us safe and bring meaning and a sense of belonging into our lives. Through relationship we often give most deeply of ourselves; however, most people with disabilities have fewer personal relationships in their lives. It is not uncommon for people in our society to see the disability instead of the person and this prevents relationships from happening in natural ways. This is a loss to both the person with a disability and a community who has not come to know the

individual’s gifts and contributions. Through focusing on the gifts and talents of the person with the disability, we explore opportunities for engagement in community where the person's gifts can be celebrated.

Vision:

All people, including children and youth with developmental disabilities, have full and meaningful lives as welcomed and contributing members of their neighbourhoods and the broader society.

Mission:

In partnership with families and community, we build a life of belonging for children and youth with developmental disabilities. We focus on their unique gifts and contributions to facilitate friendships, community connections and valued social roles.