Join CPAWS-BC Chapter Board of Directors: Vice-President
Board of Directors – Vice-President
Job Description
Last Updated: August 2023
About CPAWS-BC
The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) is Canada’s only charity dedicated to the protection of public land, freshwater and ocean with a strong national and regional presence across the country. Working in a way that respects the sovereignty and leadership of Indigenous nations, we are focused on conserving nature to respond to the dual crises of accelerated biodiversity loss and climate change.
With almost 60 years of success, we are Canada’s leader in conservation and have played a lead role in protecting over half a million square kilometres – an area bigger than the entire Yukon Territory! Our vision is that at least half of land, freshwater and ocean in Canada is permanently protected to sustain nature and people for current and future generations.
The CPAWS British Columbia chapter (CPAWS-BC) works to protect wilderness in every corner of BC and deep into the ocean. We have been defending BC since 1978 and are dedicated to keeping BC’s natural environment thriving forever. Nature is BC’s best hope.
CPAWS-BC works on the unceded territories of Indigenous Peoples. We recognize that all people have the right to a healthy environment. Identity, culture, and survival are often deeply rooted in people’s connection to the land and ocean. However, not all people have equal access to and decision-making powers over the use of land and ocean. As a conservation organization, we have the responsibility to uphold the values of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion of marginalized voices and perspectives.
We, the staff and Board at CPAWS-BC, recognize that decolonization is an ongoing process that requires all of us to be actively involved and responsible. CPAWS-BC is committed to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion within every aspect of our work to protect lands, inland waters, and ocean. We commit to be more inclusive, respectful, and honour Indigenous Peoples in all aspects of our work. CPAWS-BC’s hiring practices give priority to Indigenous, Black, and racialized people and those who face systemic barriers to employment.
Position Summary:
The CPAWS-BC Vice President is an executive member of the Board. The Vice President’s key role is to support the Board President, where required, in the Board President’s key roles as preparation to become Board President after one term as Vice President.
Average Time Commitment: One 2.5 hour Board meeting per quarter, which requires 1-2 hours of prep work to prepare for the Board meeting. Additional meetings may be called if required. Vice Presidents are also expected to support the Board President in their Key Roles, which can take up approximately 1-5 additional hours a month.
General Board Member Role and Expectations:
BC’s Board is a governance Board, as opposed to an operational Board. That is, the organization’s work is done by staff, not Board Members. The role of Board Members is to ensure that the organization stays true to our mission and meets our fiscal and legal requirements. All Board members are expected to:
- Regularly attends all board meetings (approximately 5 per year) and important related meetings / events, where possible.
- Makes a serious commitment to participate actively in Board work.
- Volunteers for and willingly accepts assignments and completes them thoroughly and on time
- Prepares themselves well for meetings, and reviews and comments on minutes and reports prior to meetings.
- Gets to know other Board members and builds a collegial working relationship that contributes to consensus.
- Participates in fundraising for the organization where appropriate, including making a personal financial contribution to CPAWS-BC at a level that is meaningful, no later than December of each year and without having to be asked.
- Acts as an advocate for the organization and works to steward donors, where possible.
- Commits to assisting recruiting, selecting, and training successive board members.
Board Elections and Term Limits:
In accordance with the society’s bylaws, elections for directors will normally occur at the annual general meeting and will take office commencing at the close of the annual general meeting. The term of office will normally be two years, with the hope that all Board members will remain for the full term. No Board member can stay on the Board for more than three terms, and third terms should only be pursued with specific rationale: e.g. Board member taking on, or within, an executive role, or committing to bring something additional to the Board, etc.
Directors may be elected for up to three (3) consecutive terms, regardless of the duration of such terms. A Person who has served as a Director for three (3) consecutive terms may not be re-elected for at least two (2) years following the expiry of their latest term.
Vice-President Officer Role:
Officer Terms:
Unless appointed for a longer term by Board Resolution, each officer appointed or elected by the Directors will hold office until the first meeting of the Board held after the next following annual general meeting. Directors may be appointed or elected as an officer for consecutive terms.
Term Limits:
A Vice President is expected to serve one term, but the term may be extended by one term (maximum two terms) under certain circumstances and if the whole Board approves. Vice Presidents should intend to become Board President after their Vice President term is up.
Key Roles and Responsibilities:
- Supports the Board President where necessary and acts as the President in their absence. Specific roles of the Board President that the Vice President should support include:
- Assessing the performance of the Board and its committees when required, and makes changes if necessary
- Assuring ongoing recruitment, development, and contributions of Board members
- Ensuring the Board’s directives, policies, and resolutions are carried out
- Coordinating an annual performance review of the Executive Director
- Serving as an ambassador of the organization and advocates its mission to internal and external stakeholders
- Provides continuity in the leadership of CPAWS-BC through the commitment to a full term as Board President after the Vice President term is up
Qualifications:
- Experience in strategic planning, ideally related to nonprofit organizations
- Direct management experience
- An ability to lead and manage complex programs or projects
- An ability to facilitate diverse groups of people in making collaborative decisions
- A demonstrated history of good interpersonal skills and an ability to interact with other members in a professional manner
- Knowledge of and commitment to current and equity-focused governance organizational governance practices
Board recruitment process
If you are interested in joining the CPAWS-BC Board of Directors, please email your resume and a short cover letter describing why you are a good fit for the Board to recruitment@cpawsbc.org and please include in your cover letter whether you would be interested in any of the executive roles, and if so, which one(s) and why.