Volunteers Needed! Board of Directors

(posted June 22, 2022)

The “Friends of Allan Gardens” (FOAG) is a registered charity, incorporated under the  Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act, whose vision is to revitalise and promote  Allan Gardens – as place of excellence and learning regarding horticulture, as a site  of indigenous and historic importance, as a location of artistic and cultural  opportunity and as a significant contributor to the well-being of the local community  – as a vibrant green space in a crowded city. It is a volunteer-led and largely  volunteer-staffed organization.

The challenges are many. Are you willing to take them on and contribute to a most  worthwhile endeavour? Are you prepared to volunteer your enthusiasm, skills and  experience to help make Allan Gardens all that it could be? Consider joining the Board and helping direct that effort.

FOAG Director – position description  

The overall responsibilities of the Board are to:

• Make certain the organization is complying with all legal and regulatory  requirements

• Set out the organization’s vision and monitor progress towards it

• Ensure the organization has sufficient funds to allow it to function well and achieve  its purposes

• Actively manage risks to avoid putting the organization into jeopardy

• Put in place and maintain the means – the equipment, the personnel, the  resources – to allow the organization to function effectively

• Establish such systems and processes as are required to ensure efficient and  controlled operations

• Act and communicate with all stakeholders in a manner that builds trust and  confidence and reflects the organization’s values

The specific, additional responsibilities of each Director are to:

• Act legally and with care and attention to the duties of being a member of the  Board

• Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s purposes and vision

• Prepare, in a timely manner, for meetings – submit and read reports, prepare  questions / comments, review minutes, submit agenda topics, etc. – and attend  the same in line with Board policy

• Actively contribute to discussions and decision-making both in Board meetings  and committee work

• Participate in at least one committee or working group

• Seek to understand and be informed on all matters relevant to the organization’s  purposes and operations

• Avoid conflicts of interest

• Uphold the organization’s Code of Conduct

• Maintain confidentiality

• Publicly support all Board decisions even if personally opposed to them

The Board is very much a working Board. A time commitment of some 20 hours a  month might be expected, reflecting preparation and attendance at Board meetings,  committee work and personal action items arising from the same. Each director  typically has responsibility, over and above Board work, for a specific committee or  task force and the planning and conduct of that group’s contribution. Directors are  also expected to promote and attend FOAG events.

The Board usually meets monthly on a weekday evening, throughout the year.  Committee and task force meetings may be more or less frequent.

Qualifications  

Candidates should demonstrate:

• Personal interest in and commitment to FOAG’s mission of revitalising Allan  Gardens

• Willingness and ability to commit the necessary time and effort to properly fulfil  the responsibilities of being a Director

• Relevant skills and experience that can contribute to the work of the Board and  complement its current set of competencies

• Good communication and listening skills

• Curiosity

• Open-mindedness

Term  

Directors serve a 3 year term and are eligible for election for up to 3 terms in total

Compensation & Benefits  

Directors are not paid for their service, in accordance with charity law. Expenses  incurred in performance of their duties may be eligible for payment in line with  FOAG’s Expense Policy.

Directors are covered by FOAG’s Directors & Officers Liability Policy, subject to the  standard policy conditions regarding wilful negligence.

Their primary reward is knowledge of directly helping a most worthwhile cause!

How to apply

Please send your CV to info@friendsofallangardens.ca using “Board of Directors”.

If you have any questions about the role, please send them to info@friendsofallangardens.ca