Call for Nominations/Expressions of Interest

Overview

Imagine Canada aspires to strengthen Canadian charities and nonprofits so they can better serve individuals and communities both here and around the world. In turn, we can foster a Canada where communities are fueled by a strong infrastructure and engagement, and where social, economic and environmental justice is advanced through collective advocacy and action.

To accomplish this, we seek the engagement of dedicated volunteers to join our Board of Directors.

If you like to debate issues facing charities and nonprofits, contribute to the health and wellbeing of an entire sector, learn from peers and colleagues and have some fun, then this is the place for you! Imagine Canada’s Board guides its efforts in four key strategic areas; collaborating on and producing research and data, developing and implementing public policy initiatives, building trust with Canadians through the sector’s Standards Program, and reframing the conversation with Canadians about the sector.

As a national organization representing a diverse sector, Imagine Canada has embarked on an anti-racism organizational change process and is committed to diversifying its Board. We particularly encourage applications from Black people, Indigenous people, people of colour, people with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and those with varied areas of expertise and lived experiences.

Board of Directors

Four (4) positions are coming vacant following 2 term completions and 2 resignations, and two (2) incumbents are expected to stand for re-election to their second term.

Directors of Imagine Canada meet four times a year through a combination of in-person and videoconference meetings. They compose the senior decision-making body of the organization and the Board operates on a governance-as-leadership model.

Board members are expected to join a committee or working group. The time commitment varies, but is usually 2-4 hours per month. Imagine Canada also encourages our Board Directors to make a personal financial gift as a sign of investment in the organization. In order to ensure that financial matters are not a barrier to participating on the Board, there is no minimum gift amount.

As per the organization’s Bylaws, the Nominating Subcommittee will ensure that at least half of the Directors are connected (through employment, Board or volunteer service) to an organization that is a Member of Imagine Canada. While the sector is too vast to have all subsectors represented at any one time, the organization seeks to ensure a rotation of interests, whereby different mission or cause areas are present on the Board.

Priority Areas

The Board is focused on achieving the priorities of its Strategic Planning Framework. From time to time, different priority areas emerge to support key aspects of its work. This year, the Nominating Sub-committee is giving priority to the following areas:

Subsectors – Individuals with current or previous experience with mission/cause areas not currently reflected on the Board;
Skills/Experience – Individuals with C-suite experience, experience working with individuals with disabilities and other front-line service delivery, in information technology, public policy, research, federal law and CRA regulations;
Geography – Anywhere in Canada, with particular interest in individuals from Québec, the Northern territories and Atlantic provinces;
Demographic background – Individuals with a variety of experience due to gender, age, ability and ethnicity; and
Connection (through employment, Board or volunteer service) to an organization that is a Member of Imagine Canada.

Nominations and expressions of interest should be submitted by March 21, 2024 to Danielle Ferguson-Shivrattan at dshivrattan@imaginecanada.ca.

Timelines

Early April 2024: Imagine Canada’s Nominating Subcommittee and Governance & HR Committee will meet to review submissions.
Early May 2024: Imagine Canada’s Board will vote on a shortlist of candidates.
Early May 2024: All applicants, both successful and unsuccessful, will be notified of the Committees’ decision.
By May 16, 2024: The name(s) of prospective Board member(s) will be shared with our Membership, one month ahead of our Annual General Meeting in accordance with our bylaws.
June 20, 2024: Imagine Canada’s Membership votes on prospective Board member(s).