Board Member
BOARD MEMBER
SUMMARY
The board of Compassion Canada (Compassion) is a governing board operating within the guidelines of the Act, Regulations, and Bylaws, focusing on leadership by planning and policy setting, and delegating the implementation to the staff through the CEO. As such, the board is responsible for creating and managing a governance structure, for holding itself accountable, and for ensuring effective board collaboration for the benefit of Compassion’s owners and the organization.
The role of a board member is a volunteer position without remuneration. The term of office shall be for a period of three years.
The board is responsible for creating and managing a governance structure, for holding itself accountable, and for ensuring effective board collaboration for the benefit of Compassion’s owners (God and our legal members) and the organization.
The board commits itself to ethical, efficient, and lawful conduct. Board members will function in an ethical manner, contribute to the work of the board, support the decisions of the board, and respect the confidentiality of privileged information.
The board will speak with one voice. All board members will stand behind all board decisions.
Board members will make every effort to attend and participate in all meetings and be properly prepared for board deliberation.
Board members will treat each other with respect, professionalism and Christian love. When differences of opinion exist, the commitment will be to challenge the issues but never attack or defame the person.
Board members may not exercise individual authority over Compassion, its management, staff, or supporters except as explicitly directed by the board through a duly passed motion. Board members will not judge the performance of personnel outside of the official board process.
The board will annually monitor its own effectiveness and take actions to excel in its role by completing the GEM Assessment for Boards.
The Nominating & Governance Committee will conduct a peer assessment of each board member’s individual performance on the expiry of their term of service.
DUTIES
1. Monitor Operations:
Monitor changes and events in the community, province and region that could have an impact on the success of Compassion. Monitor its operations, plan for its future and develop policies that affect the ministry as a whole.
2. Strategic Planning and Goal Setting:
Ensure that Compassion can continue to succeed in the future by working with your peers and the CEO on strategic planning and goal setting.
3. Monitor Finances:
Directors must ensure there are adequate funds to maintain and grow Compassion’s programs. A key part of this responsibility is careful review of financial statements and audit reports.
4. Approve Budgets:
The CFO, with the assistance of the executive leadership team, will draft Compassion’s annual budget. It will be based on operational needs and goals outlined in the Strategic Plan. The Directors’ responsibility is to study the draft, ask appropriate questions, if necessary, and then vote to approve or amend.
5. Set and Review Policy:
Directors set policies that govern Compassion’s ministry as a whole. Policies can be based on strategic plans, the CEO's recommendations, legislation or response to a problem the ministry faces. To meet the changing needs of Compassion’s ministry, Directors will also review and modify policies. This ensures that the ministry will continue running effectively, legally and ethically. Directors make policy that affect Compassion’s ministry as a whole. The CEO and his/her staff then carry out these policies.
6. Become an Advocate:
Directors should build public support for Compassion by spreading the good word about its mission, services and programs.
7. Attend Meetings:
Attendance at and participation in all board meetings is essential. When Directors are absent, it adversely affects the board's decision-maki