Download Report

Call for Candidates for Board of Directors
We are currently seeking expressions of interest for senior leadership
volunteers to fill several vacancies on our Board of Directors
About Kids Help Phone / Jeunesse, J’écoute
Kids Help Phone is a Canadian and world leader, known for our expertise in providing vital, innovative
counselling services to children and youth. Since 1989 we have offered children, teens and young adults
in Canada a critical lifeline of hope and support, through our free, anonymous and confidential service.
Our professional counsellors support the mental health and well-being of young people ages five to 20,
in urban, rural, and remote communities, by providing one-on-one counselling, information and
resources by phone and online. Our internationally recognized, award-winning websites are considered
a model of child-focused interactive design, and offer online counselling forums and engaging,
therapeutic games, tools and information to encourage resilience and self-care. A community-based
national charity, Kids Help Phone raises the majority of its annual revenue from individuals, foundations,
corporations and community fundraising in order to be there for the 6.5 million young people in Canada,
24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in English and in French.
The Opportunity and Commitment: National Board of Directors
The Kids Help Phone / Jeunesse, J’écoute Board of Directors is seeking senior leaders interested in
serving as a volunteer member on the National Board of Directors to help us strengthen our ability to
fulfill our mission, while providing leadership based on specific areas of expertise (see candidate
requirements below).
Role: The Board of Directors is responsible for establishing the organization's long-term strategic
direction and overarching policies, as well as overseeing annual objectives and monitoring the progress
of the achievement of those objectives by the staff and volunteer teams. A primary mandate of the
Board is to support the organization’s strategic focus on its revenue development priorities, with
particular emphasis on the growth of Kids Help Phone’s major gifts area. Board members help achieve
this through the identification, cultivation and stewardship of major donors. They also lead by example
through their personal philanthropic support of Kids Help Phone.
Composition of the Board: The constitution and balance of our Board is a strong signal to the
community that Kids Help Phone is an essential resource for young people in Canada that benefits from
strong and diverse involvement from across the country at the governance level.
We are currently seeking candidates from across the country, with senior-level professional expertise in
areas such as the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Child and youth mental health
Finance/Legal/Business/investment/Entrepreneurship
Technology and innovation
Communications/Marketing and P.R: media, market research, advertising, brand strategy,
sponsorship
Policy Development/Advocacy
Government relations experience/expertise
Philanthropy
Talent leadership
Board member qualities:
Qualities we are seeking in our Board members include a high level of professional achievement and
influence; strong reputation and leadership within their field; previous board, governance and fund
raising experience as part of a board, cabinet or committee; and a strong connection to the Kids Help
Phone cause. Assets include French speaking fluency and public speaking experience.
Time commitment for Board members: includes attending four Board meetings per year in Toronto
(held on a Monday – afternoon to early evening), and active support of at least one committee or task
force associated with their area of expertise (meetings frequently held by teleconference). Additional
required attendance includes an annual Board strategic session and occasional phone conferences.
In addition to demonstrating their leadership by making Kids Help Phone one of their top three
philanthropic priorities while they hold office, Directors are also expected to be engaged locally in our
annual events, such as the Walk so Kids Can Talk; to participate as a Board representative at special
stewardship, awareness and fundraising occasions; and to be involved in other leadership activities that
may occur throughout the year.
Current vacancies:
We are currently seeking expressions of interest from candidates to fill vacancies on the Board, with a
focus at a minimum on the following skill sets, geography and background:
a) At least one candidate from British Columbia
b) At least one candidate with a professional leadership role in the field of child and youth mental
health from within the health/social services/academic sectors
c) Candidates with senior corporate expertise in sectors that include those listed above as well as
contact centres, technology and energy. Background could include CSR, marketing/branding,
social innovation enterprises, research/service evaluation, business to business (B2B).
Board member candidates should have:
- a passion for the Kids Help Phone mission
- previous experience as a leadership volunteer and/or Board member
- a deep understanding of philanthropy, and have the ability to support the work of Kids Help
Phone/Jeunesse, J’écoute through networks and community relationships.
The Application Process
If you are interested in becoming part of the governance and fundraising leadership of this exciting and
innovative organization at a pivotal time in its development, and would like to contribute by making a
significant difference in the lives of children, teens and young adults throughout Canada, please consider
putting your name forward. We request that candidates indicate their interest as follows:
Email your resume and a cover letter indicating why this opportunity is of interest to you, including a
reference to your community involvement and leadership, to Kathy Mowat, Executive Assistant at
[email protected] by April 15, 2015.
Applications are welcomed from qualified, interested individuals. The Nominating Committee of the
Board will review applications for decision by May 29, 2015.
For more information, please contact:
Sharon Wood
President and CEO [email protected]
416.581.8976