Board Member

Authority and Responsibility

The Board of Directors is the legal authority for the Cerebral Palsy Association in Alberta (CPAA). As a member of the Board, a Board Member acts in a position of trust for the community and is responsible for the effective governance of the organization.

Requirements

Requirements of Board membership include:

• Commitment to the work of the organization
• Being informed about the organization's mission, services, policies, and programs
• Knowledge and skills in one or more areas of Board governance: policy, finance, programs, personnel, and advocacy
• Remaining up-to-date on developments in the organization's field
• Following conflict of interest and confidentiality policies
• Willingness to serve on committees
• Attending regular Board meetings
• Attending Annual General Meetings
• Supporting and participating in, fund-raising events
• Financial support of the Cerebral Palsy Association in Alberta
• Helping communicate and promote CPAA mission and programs to the community
• Reviewing agenda and supporting materials prior to board and committee meetings
• Suggesting possible nominees to the board who can make significant contributions to the work of the board and the organization
• Assisting the Board in carrying out its fiduciary and strategic responsibilities, such as reviewing the organization’s annual financial statements

Term

Board Members are elected by the membership at the Annual General Meeting. Board Members serve for a three-year term. Board Members may be released at the end of the elected term, by resigning, or according to the Cerebral Palsy Association in Alberta’s bylaws.

Responsibilities

A Board Member is fully informed on organizational matters and participates in the Board’s deliberations and decisions in matters of policy, finance, programs, personnel and advocacy.

The Board Member will:

1. Participate in generative, strategic and fiduciary discussions to further the mission of the CPAA.
2. Approve, where appropriate, and monitor policies, and other recommendations received from the Board, its standing committees and senior staff.
3. Review the bylaws and policy manual and recommend bylaw changes to the membership.
4. Review the Board’s structure, approve changes, and prepare necessary bylaw amendments.
5. Participate in the development of CPAA’s organizational plan and annual review.
6. Review and approve CPAA’s budget.
7. Approve the hiring and release of the executive director, including the executive director’s employment contract, based on the recommendation of the Personnel Committee.
8. Support and participate in evaluating the executive director.
9. Support and participate in fund raising activities.
10. Assist in developing and maintaining positive relations among the Board, committees, staff members, and community to enhance the CPAA’s mission.

Review

An annual review is conducted by the Board President to evaluate the Board member’s contribution and provide an opportunity for constructive one on one discussion.

This job description will be reviewed annually by the Board of Directors.