Join the Board of Directors at CNIB, Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada, and CNIB Deafblind Community Services!
Who We Are
Founded in 1918, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (“CNIB”) is one of Canada’s oldest and most trusted non-profits. Comprising a national organization and supported regionally by Strategic Leadership Councils, CNIB is home to talented volunteers and employees who work in communities across Canada to change what it means to be blind. Through their “Stronger Together” partnership, CNIB is proud to work cooperatively with its related organizations, Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada (“VLRC”) and CNIB Deafblind Community Services (“DBCS”) as they band together to level the playing field for Canadians who are blind, partially sighted, and Deafblind.
With new strategic directions, plans and growth ambitions, each organization is seeking a diverse range of outstanding business and community leaders for multiple 2023 Board appointments. Collectively, CNIB, VLRC and DBCS are seeking inspired volunteer Board Directors who are passionate advocates, ambassadors, fundraisers and friendraisers who generate breakthrough thinking, take calculated risks, and are willing to connect these organizations to their networks to meaningfully change what it means to be blind in Canada.
The Opportunity
- The Board of Directors is made up of some of Canada’s brightest minds and most successful industry leaders across the country
- Board Directors develop strategic partnerships, raise awareness, and drive significant fundraising on behalf of CNIB
- Board Directors oversee the areas of enterprise risk management and compliance
- Board Directors oversee the areas of enterprise risk management and compliance
- Establishing the mission and values, approving the strategic plan and related fundraising
- Ensuring the strategic plan is consistent with its mission and mandate
- Ensuring realistic goals and objectives are consistent with the strategic plan that is set & monitored
- Approve the strategic plan and its related fundraising, and ensure the mission is delivered
- Developing governance policies and procedures; assesses and addresses risk
- Managing the hiring, termination, motivation and remuneration of the President and CEO
- It is expected the President and CEO will draw upon the expertise of Directors to assist in meeting his/her responsibilities
- Approving organizational strategy, budget, and financial statements to ensure sound policies are in place
- Serving as enthusiastic ambassadors for the organization, Board Directors open new doors to potential supporters and partners
Expectations
- Directors are expected to attend meetings (minimum 4x/annually)
- Must serve on at least one Standing Committee and/or Sub-Committee
- Directors are expected to provide financial support to the organization (whatever is personally meaningful, at a level at which they are comfortable)
- CNIB Board Directors are elected for a term of three years for a maximum of two terms
- With 100% participation and support for CNIB’s annual fundraising goals and with a view to building a culture of philanthropy, each CNIB Foundation Board Director serves as an advocate, ambassador, fundraiser, and friend-raiser for CNIB
- While Board Directors are not required to be formal fundraisers, they must each appreciate the call-to action and the culture of philanthropy CNIB Board Directors embody and support
About You
- Board Directors are senior business and community leaders
- Previous board and/or professional experience to decision making
- Expertise in strategy, governance, finance, enterprise risk management, compliance, legal, advocacy, government relations, M&A, digital technology, national fundraising, cyber security, healthcare, sensory disabilities
- Experience developing and implementing provincial advocacy and fundraising strategies
- Entrepreneurial and innovative by nature
- Members are influential business and community leaders who lead provincial advocacy, fundraising, and engage their networks to support CNIB’s mission in their individual provinces
- Courageous, innovative, and enthusiastic about the goal of changing what it means to be blind in Canada
- CNIB’s senior leadership volunteers are dedicated advocates for the rights of Canadians who are blind or partially sighted
- Members are well connected to regional governments, businesses, and the diverse communities CNIB proudly serves, by implementing marketing, communications, fundraising and friendraising strategies
- High EQ, strong self-awareness, and empathy for others
How to Apply
If you are interested in further exploring these dynamic opportunities with CNIB, its Strategic Leadership Councils, Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada or Deafblind Community Services:
Please provide your detailed resume and cover letter via e-mail addressed to the CNIB, VLRC, and DBCS Board of Directors Selection Committee.
Your cover letter should convey:
- Why serving as a Board Director for CNIB, VLRC or DBCS resonates with you.
- Your cover letter should also speak to how you will uniquely add value as a Board Director by connecting the dots between your senior board, executive and/or community leadership and the key competencies outlined in this Profile.
Committed to diversity, trust, and teamwork and to fostering an inclusive, welcoming environment, Board applications are welcome from all individuals who uphold the values of equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, including people who are blind, partially sighted or Deafblind, as well as members of all groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including but not limited to Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and individuals who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.
In addition to the immediate 2023 CNIB, Strategic Leadership Councils, Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada and CNIB Deafblind Community Services Board appointments, with a strategic focus on good governance and succession planning, this process is intended to meaningfully engage with a diverse group of outstanding leaders across multiple geographies who may be considered for future Board appointments and additional senior volunteer opportunities.
Please send your confidential materials directly via email to us.
We look forward to exploring your candidacy!
Select this link to read our board profile, which outlines these opportunities in greater detail.