Becoming a Board Member

Are you interested in helping lead CMHA Kootenays as a volunteer board member? Here are some of the skills we are seeking for our Board of Directors, and a job description for the board member position.

Skills and Qualifications

Specialized Experience and Competencies:

• Human resources / labour negotiations
• Financial management / accounting
• Senior or executive leadership
• Regional service sector / health, social services education
• Economic or community development

Core Qualities:

• High ethical standards and integrity in professional and personal dealings
• Appreciation of responsibilities to the public
• Willingness to raise potentially controversial issues in a manner that encourages dialogue
• Flexibility, responsiveness and willingness to consider change
• Willingness to listen to others
• Capability for a wide perspective on issues
• Ability to work as a team member
• Commitment to the promotion of mental health, wellness, and emotional stability
• Knowledge of how government systems work
• Knowledge of the Association
• Knowledge of the communities which we serve
• The available time to attend meetings as required

Job Description

Position Title: BOARD DIRECTOR – VOLUNTEER
Reports To: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Contribution: Directors are responsible for the guidance of Canadian Mental Health Association for the Kootenays under the duties of a Director as regulated by the Societies Act of British Columbia.

Qualifications:

• Strong interest in, and dedication to, “promoting the mental health, wellness, and emotional stability of all individuals within the communities served”
• Knowledge of policy development, community-based programs and services, funding sources, and community relations

Responsibilities: Each Director is responsible to the Board for his / her conduct and actions.

Each Director commits to:

• Regularly attend Board meetings. Planned absence should be reported to the President or the Executive Director in advance.
• Read and understand the minutes and reports of the Board and Committees.
• Read the Association’s publications.
• Understand the mission, goals and programs of the Association.
• Understand, and agree to, his / her legal responsibilities as a Director.
• Avoid conflict of interest and declare immediately if one should arise.
• Act in the best interests of the Association.
• Insist that the Board seek legal counsel when required.
• Insist on written procedure for Board membership and nominations.
• Develop and maintain an adequate risk management plan.
• Promote the work of the Association.
• Represent Association positively and professionally in the community.

Time Commitment: The time commitment for each Board member is approximately two to three (2-3) hours each month.

Bylaw: 4.3 Election: The Board of Directors of the Society shall be elected and shall retire in rotation. At the first meeting of the members of the Society for the election of Directors, five (5) shall be elected to hold office for a term of two (2) years.