Thank you for your interest in Habitat for Humanity South Georgian Bay. The decision to join a board is an important one. You want to be well informed about any organization before you commit to serve on a board. Before you decide to apply, please allow us to provide an initial introduction to Habitat for Humanity South Georgian Bay Board of Directors.
Habitat for Humanity South Georgian Bay’s mission is to bring communities together to help families build strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter. We believe in a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live.
Habitat is a non-profit agency that receives no government funding and seeks to assist low income families living in the Georgian Triangle with strength, stability and self-reliance through affordable homeownership. Since our beginning in 2002, we have helped local families with stable affordable homes to help them thrive, not just survive. The impact is profound and the effects are long-lasting and life changing.
We operate a Habitat ReStore which takes new and gently used goods that are donated from the community and resells them to raise the funds to cover our operational costs. Mortgage receivables from existing mortgage holders and all donations are directed to our Fund for Humanity which is used specifically to build houses across the Georgian Triangle – Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, New Lowell, Clearview and all parts in between.
Board Recruitment
Habitat for Humanity South Georgian Bay is seeking dynamic, forward thinking leaders to add value in the areas of:
- Marketing / communications
- Fundraising / community engagement
- Retail / business
- Construction / development
- Government Relations/Advocacy
Please review the current board posting here.
Your role as part of a dedicated and engaged team.
As a member of our skill-based Board of Directors, you will enjoy a culture of shared responsibility and an opportunity to add to the perspectives of other highly committed and qualified volunteers. Together in partnership and with the support of our Executive Director, you will oversee our strategic plan, monitor our performance, quality and risk and ensure sustainability of operations.
You will be expected to participate in forward thinking discussions and contribute to strategic planning that will ensure Habitat for Humanity is a sustainable leader in affordable housing. You will contribute your time in a meaningful and rewarding way together with your colleagues, making a lasting difference to your community for generations to come.
Your aligned values.
We are seeking people who are passionate about the affordable housing crisis locally and across Canada, especially the impact on families. Our Board of Directors are tasked with making responsible decisions that are in the best interests of Habitat for Humanity South Georgian Bay. Those decisions are guided by a set of values that ensures the needs of the communities we serve are met.
Our Core Values
Housing for All: We believe that access to safe, decent and affordable housing is a basic human right that should be available to all.
Human Dignity: We believe in the worth and dignity of every human being and respect the people we serve. We recognize those who help us in this effort as our greatest resource.
Partnership: We believe we can best achieve our mission through meaningful and mutually beneficial partnerships with others.
Faith in Action: We believe that faith is lived through action. We serve and work with people of all faiths and beliefs in a spirit of justice and compassion.
Diversity & Inclusiveness: We believe there is a role for everyone committed to our vision, mission and values, and we seek to enrich our organization through diversity.
Contribution
We are seeking individuals, preferably with previous non-profit Board experience, who are comfortable with oversight governance as distinct from a management role. We are looking for individuals who understand the nature, complexity and needs of a non-profit organization and the needs of our clients. We are seeking individuals with diverse life experiences and an interest in giving back to their communities. As that experienced leader, our Board will benefit from the addition of your particular competence in one or more of the following areas:
| Accounting/Finance/Investment | Public Relations & Communication |
| Community Engagement | Government Relations |
| Quality & Performance Measurement | Strategic Thinking & Planning |
| Construction experience & connections | Retail experience / Marketing |
Your role in advocacy.
As a Habitat Board member, you will be uniquely positioned to share the news about Habitat for Humanity, our mission, our events and our programs. Board members have strong personal and business networks, and we ask you to champion Habitat for Humanity among your networks.
Your personal contributions.
As a Habitat Board member, your financial support and commitment will be personally determined based on your ability.
Your networking connections.
When possible, Board members are asked to help open doors for Habitat for Humanity South Georgian Bay, make introductions and offer connections. It is the establishment of personal connections that creates sustainable revenue for the organization.
Your time and skills contribution.
Not all contributions are financial. We encourage board members with specific skills sets (marketing, graphic design, accounting) to provide valuable assistance and advice in their key areas. Board members that can join operational committees, are welcome to work alongside staff to lend your skills and give broad guidance.
Your fundraising assistance.
Board members are asked to assist with fundraising events and campaigns. This can be done directly with the event or by contributing and sharing events and needs on social media channels and within your own networks. Assistance of this type can significantly boost our fundraising efforts.
Your help to say thank you.
Not every board member feels comfortable advancing donations from potential donors. The fundraising cycle allows room for other activities, such as maintaining relationships with donors after the initial donation, and be called upon to simply say thank you on occasion.
Your time commitment.
Each member of the Board is asked to make at least a two (2) year commitment, renewable to a maximum of three (3) consecutive terms for a goal of six (6) years. It is expected that the Board members participate in at least one of the Board committees and all scheduled Board meetings. Board meetings are held 9 times a year; there are no meetings in July, August, December. It is expected that no member will be absent for two consecutive Board or two consecutive committee meetings. Remote access for video conferencing is made available on occasions when Board members are unable to attend.
Governance style
The Board will be charged with oversight of the compliance and performance of the organization by establishment of sound governing principles, policies and best practices. Operational management is the responsibility of the Executive Director.
Board Recruitment Screening Process
All board candidates are required to participate in the following screening processes:
- Complete the Board Expression of Interest form and submit it along with a resume to the info@habitatgeorgianbay.ca.
- A member of the Executive Committee will contact you to set up an individual interview. The interview with our Governance Committee will take 30-45 minutes and will give us a chance to get to know you by asking some standardized questions; this meeting will also give you an opportunity to ask anything you might like to know about the Board or Habitat for Humanity, you will be asked to provide three (3) personal or work-related references, including names, nature of your relationship, and contact information.
- All candidates must successfully complete a criminal reference check before they are approved to join the Board of Directors.
After the screening process has been completed, selected candidates are approved to become full members of the Board of Directors either by full motion of the current Board or at our annual general meeting.
New board members will be asked to sign a Confidentiality Agreement and a Conflict-of-Interest Agreement prior to assuming their position as a voting board member. Within the first few weeks of joining the Board your orientation will begin, helping you to understand this very complex and complicated organization, a foundation on which to build our collective and innovative future together.
You will also be given access to governance and operational policies and procedures, audited financial statements, meeting minutes, monthly financial documents and strategic plan. You will meet with the Executive Director to learn more about the programs and services, the history of our organization, mortgage models, receive a tour of the ReStore (and participate in a shift or two as a volunteer), and, when available, our current build site(s).
The Board meets on the third Wednesday each month. There may be additional meetings periodically to deal with special issues. Board members will be asked to attend all regular board meetings and serve on a least one committee.
Habitat for Humanity South Georgian Bay believes in the support and partnership with community members like you. If you have any questions, please contact info@habitatgeorgianbay.ca or by phone at 705-446-9542.
On behalf of our Board of Directors, thank you for your interest.
