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Volunteer Board Position: Member at Large

 

Come join a growing Board at a transformative and forward-thinking organization!

We are seeking THREE volunteer Board Members with expertise in any of the following areas:

1. Communications, Marketing & Brand Management
2. Legal
3. IT

This position would start in the spring of 2025 and continue until June 2027, with the potential to continue if elected for a further two years. The Board of Directors meets up to 10 times a year, monthly and mostly virtually. Meetings, when in-person, are held in central Toronto. Previous board experience an asset. Familiarity with board governance of not-for-profit charities preferred.

The expectations of all board members are:

• Provide oversight of the Executive Director (ED) and the organization’s strategic direction
• Believe in Extend-A-Family’s vision, mission, and
• Actively participate in board meetings and occasionally on committees or ad hoc working
• Attend two Extend-A-Family events
• Attend trainings or planning days as they arise (1 is expected per year)
• Read materials provided prior to
• Attend up to 10 board meetings, and AGM, 2 hours

It is anticipated that this will be a time commitment of 4 to 6 hours per month.

 

Skills & Experience specific to each area of expertise:

A) Communications, Marketing & Brand Management

• Experience in developing and implementing communications strategies
• Experience in developing and implementing marketing strategies
• Ability to use, and assist other in using, online communication platforms
• An understanding of marketing within the context of a non-profit organization

B) Legal

• Formal training as a lawyer, regardless of whether you are currently practicing
• Familiarity with the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act is an asset
• Ability to ensure the organization meets all fiscal responsibilities and assist the ED to work through issues and identify any potential risks through the lens of a legal professional.
• Please note that we will not expect the board member to provide any legal advice on a paid or pro-bono basis.

C) IT

• An understanding of small network systems
• An understanding of cost-effective solutions to meet IT needs of a small team that works primarily remotely.

How to Apply:

Email resume and letter highlighting why you are interested in Extend-A-Family. Email to: [email protected]

What is Extend-A-Family?

Extend-A-Family works in the community to facilitate the building of relationships between individuals who have disabilities and other members of the community. We believe that all people belong and that our community is stronger when all members are included. We foster public awareness of the gifts and contributions of people with disabilities.

Extend-A-Family is a not-for-profit, charitable organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of parents of children with disabilities, self-advocates and community members. Extend-A-Family is financially supported by the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Youth Services, The City of Toronto Community Service Partnerships Program, and other donors.

 

The Core Work of Extend-A-Family

The core work of Extend-A-Family is about relationship. Our relationships keep us safe and bring meaning and a sense of belonging into our lives. Through relationship we often give most deeply of ourselves; however, most people with disabilities have fewer personal relationships in their lives. It is not uncommon for people in our society to see the disability instead of the person and this prevents relationships from happening in natural ways. This is a loss to both the person with a disability and a community who has not come to know the

individual’s gifts and contributions. Through focussing on the gifts and talents of the person with the disability,

we explore opportunities for a presence in community where the person’s gifts can be celebrated.

 

Vision, Mission and Values

Vision	Engaged and inclusive community where everybody belongs.
Mission	In partnership with families and community, we foster a life of belonging for children and youth with developmental disabilities, building meaningful relationships and valued roles. We share and promote the value of inclusion and belonging.
Values	·       Diverse, caring relationships ·       Individual gifts and strengths ·       Participation in everyday community life ·       Respecting and honouring choice ·       Valued member in society