Board Members

Bereaved Families on Ontario – Ottawa Region

We are Growing and Welcoming new Board members!

About the organization

Since 1978, Bereaved Families of Ontario – Ottawa Region (BFO Ottawa) has served to inspire hope and healing for people in the Ottawa area grieving the loss of a loved one for over 40 years.  BFO Ottawa Region provides support and education to the people of our Region who are suffering the loss of a loved one. We are a registered charitable organization that offers services and peer-to-peer programs across the life spectrum, mostly free of charge to all within our Region regardless of ability to pay and regardless of age, sex, gender, religion, culture or financial status.  The community members who go through our services and programs come out with a better understanding of their grief process, more hope for the future and often become volunteer peer-supporters themselves.

About the opportunity

BFO Ottawa is directed by a volunteer Board of Director who have the responsibility of growing, leading, developing and approving the strategic direction of BFO Ottawa and establishing appropriate governance to ensure promotion of the mission and sustainable long-term growth and viability of the organization. As a member of our Board, you will have the opportunity to use your business skills, knowledge and/or your personal experiences to make an impact in the direction of BFO Ottawa.

Treasurer Position

The Treasurer offers guidance to the Board in ensuring good fiscal planning, decision-making and oversight at a governance level. The Treasurer will directly manage the activities of the bookkeeper and collaborate with the bookkeeper to ensure all the financial needs and requirements of the organization are met.

Responsibilities (in addition to those already listed as shared)

• Oversee the development of financial policies for review by Board members
• Assist in the preparation of the annual budget and its presentation to the Board for review
• Ensure that the appropriate monthly financial statements are reviewed by the Board
• Ensure that the Board regularly monitors the organization’s financial performance and alerts it to any important discrepancies between planned and actual figures
• Ensure that the organization maintains the appropriate financial books and records and that these are accurate and up-to-date
• Ensure that government tax filings and remittances are submitted on a timely basis
• Approve monthly bank reconciliations
• Ensure that payroll for 1 3/4 staff and other liabilities are settled in a timely manner
• Serve as a co-signer of cheques with at least one other signing officer
• Ensure adequate arms-length signing officers are in place to efficiently transact the organization’s business
• Ensure that excess funds and reserves are properly held and invested
• Verify that donations are handled appropriately
• Ensure grants and service delivery contracts are accounted for in accordance with the requirements of funders
• Meet with the external auditor annually, or more often if needed, to identify any financial control and record keeping problems or deficiencies and oversee action to address them
• Recommend to the Board the need for a review or renewal of the auditing services provided
• Assist the Board Chair with the development and presentation of the annual report
• Present or co-present the organization’s financial report at the Annual General Meeting
• Keep Board members informed of important financial events, trends and issues relevant to the organization

Core skills and competencies

BFO Ottawa Treasurer Board members must possess

• Professional experience and expertise in one or more of Finance and a sound knowledge of Fundraising and Sponsorship.
• Lived experience in grief and bereavement would be a great asset but not mandatory.
• Also preferred but not mandatory is previous experience in serving on a non-profit, community-based board, and/or committee.

Expectations and requirements

Expectations and requirements of Board members are as follows:

• Contribution on average about 10 - 15 hours per month, including attending the monthly Board meetings

• Lead one of the BFO strategic priorities set out in the 2023 – 2025 Strategic Plan. 
• Serve a two-year term with opportunity to renew.
• Represent BFO Ottawa at events when appropriate
• Act as conscientious ambassadors who advocate for the organization's mission and garner support from the community
• Assist with fundraising and relationship building
• Be willing to engage your network as appropriate
• Provide a clean Vulnerable Sector Screening Police check.

Recruitment Process

Are you interested in being a part of the BFO Ottawa team? Does this sound like you? If so, we look forward to your application! 

Please email your resume and a brief cover letter stating your interest by June 15, 2023 to Micheline Lepage, Chair, BFO Ottawa at michelinel@bfo-ottawa.org with the subject line “Treasurer Board Member Application”.  Applications will be reviewed and qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews.  

BFO’s ongoing commitment to all those involved with BFO Ottawa is to listen and  learn and then lead through our actions in order to build and support an organization that is diverse, equitable and inclusive for all.