Board of Directors Candidate Application Form

Individuals interested in serving on the Board of Directors (or a Committee of the Board) are invited to complete this information form. This information will help the Indigenous Prosperity Foundation (IPF) to assess the alignment of each individual with the competencies required for the role and to ensure that our Board volunteers represent an appropriately diverse range of professional and lived experience.

 

The information provided will be shared with the Nominations Committee of the Board, with the Board Chair and Vice Chair(s), and with the Executive Director of the IPF and any staff who may be supporting Board nominations, recruitment, training, and support. Information will be saved in a restricted digital file/format. Your information will be destroyed within six months of submission if you are not selected.

 

Purpose of the Indigenous Prosperity Foundation

 

The Indigenous Prosperity Foundation is an autonomous registered charity incorporated under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act (“CNCA”) designated as a charitable organization to raise funds, receive funds and maintain and apply funds for qualified donees.

 

The purposes or objectives of the Foundation are:

1. To receive and maintain a fund or funds and to apply all or part of the principal and income therefrom, from time to time, to charitable organizations that are also qualified donees under the Income Tax Act (Canada); and
2. To advance education by developing and delivering courses, training programs and workshops on business, entrepreneurship, career options and community economic development for Indigenous people, communities, and the general public.

Role of Board Directors

 

As a member of the Board, Directors act in a position of trust for the Foundation, its donors and the community. They are responsible for effective governance, fundraising and the stewardship of assets on behalf of the Foundation.

 

The Board of Directors is expected to provide effective governance, including:

• Planning for the future and helping guide organizational strategy
• Responsible for conducting an annual strategic planning session
• Approving short and long-term goals and overseeing corporate performance
• Approving key strategic decisions of senior management and accounting for the efficient use of resources.
• Fundraise to achieve financial goals, together with professional staff.
• Select, evaluate and compensate the CEO/ED, if any (Foundation Chair to determine process). Ensure an appropriate succession plan exists for the CEO/ED.
• Ensure the Foundation’s legal and financial affairs are in order.
• Ensure the Foundation’s compliance with the Income Tax Act and the Guidelines of the Canada Revenue Agency.
  

Time Commitment

 

Board meetings will be held four times annually, plus an annual strategic planning session and participation in select Board committees  

In preparation for these meetings, Board Directors will be required to review materials before meetings, typically taking several hours per meeting. There could also be reading, research, and conversations in between each meeting, typically accounting for a few hours of time per meeting.

As well, Board members would typically sit on one or more committees of the Board. There would be committee meetings in between Board meetings, perhaps 4-6 meetings per committee, and possibly some preparation before or as part of follow-up for these meetings.

Expectations of Board Members

1. Attributes: courtesy, honesty and integrity, team player, creative and strategic.
2. Asks difficult questions in a spirit of civility and respect to assist the ongoing development of the Foundation.
3. Accepts disagreement and conflict are part of doing our business well and works with colleagues to resolve differences.
4. Observes the Foundation’s policies related to personnel, privacy, confidentiality and other matters.
5. Directors are encouraged to consider making a financial contribution to the Foundation and have an interest in fundraising and the ability to ask for donations and raise funds (as appropriate).
6. Board members will act as strategic connectors as appropriate.

Interested candidates are invited to complete the form below. By completing and submitting the form, applicants acknowledge the following:

 

Understanding & Permission

• I have read the Board of Directors terms above
• I confirm that all information I have provided on this form is accurate, and I acknowledge that inaccurate information will disqualify me from being considered for the Board of IPF.
• I understand the time commitment and agree that I am currently able and willing to dedicate the time required for this volunteer role.
• I understand how the information I have provided will be used, stored, deleted or destroyed, and give my permission for this information to be used to assess my suitability for the IPF Board of Directors.

Fundraising & Revenue Generation

• I understand that leadership by Board members is important, including providing financial support for IPF within each person’s individual means. I am willing to consider making an annual personal donation to IPF within my means.
• I would be comfortable reviewing names of prospective donors (individuals, corporations, and foundations) to contribute any knowledge I may have of the person/entity that would help IPF to assess suitability for engaging in a relationship with IPF (within the bounds of professional conflict of interest or ethical limitations, etc.)
• In cases where I may have connections to individuals, corporations, or foundations that are prospective donors, I would be willing to consider being an IPF ambassador and helping IPF to develop a relationship by making an introduction.