Board Recruitment

Amanda Stevens, Past Chair, serves as the Chair of the board’s nominating committee and has issued the official Call for Nominations for 2024.

As we enter into this recruitment cycle to find new directors to join the board, we strive to have a board representative of a diversity of perspective, lived experience, specialized skills and competencies. We are not looking for the perfect applicant who checks all the boxes, but to have a well-rounded board of directors who collectively bring all of these perspectives, skills, and competencies.

The following have been prioritized for this recruitment campaign:
  • General skills: strong communication skills, collaborative decision-making skills, effective leadership skills, good time management skills to ensure appropriate preparation for meetings and discussions.
  • Governance competencies: strategic thinking, understanding of governance, enterprise risk management, accounting designation, legal. Previous board experience is helpful, but not necessary.
  • Perspectives: Black, Indigenous, People of Colour (BIPOC), male perspectives (the board is predominantly female right now), lived or work experience in DEI and anti-racism work
With your help, we can govern with excellence, make informed decisions, live out our values, create a sense of belonging for all and support each child, educator/staff and our community to reach their full potential.

 

The board is actively recruiting to fill the following positions:

  • Director:
    • Six 2-year terms (April 2024 – 2026)
  • Committee Members:
    • Finance & Audit
    • Governance
    • Government Relations
    • Nominating

 

Apply Today

RisingOaks Early Learning embraces diversity and inclusion and is committed to building an organization that represents a variety of identities, backgrounds, perspectives, and abilities. We strongly encourage people from equity-deserving groups to apply.

Application Requirements

  1. Board of Directors Application form, or an audio or video recording that addresses all the required information on the written application form.
  2. Resume (written, audio or video form)
  3. Board Applicant Survey & Competency Assessment

Submit your application and resume via email to , and complete Board Applicant Survey & Competency Assessment by January 17, 2024, at 12:00 pm to be considered.

 

RisingOaks is endeavouring to improve its processes to remove barriers to applicants and increase inclusion and accessibility. With this in mind, the following changes are being piloted as part of the application process this year:

  • There are multiple format options available for applying. Applicants can provide submissions in writing, or via audio or video recording. Those who prefer to have support completing the application may reach out to RisingOaks for direct assistance.
    • If you wish to receive direct support completing the written application or prefer to submit an audio or video recording instead of completing the written form, please contact Lori Prospero at .
  • The concept of “experience” relative to the needs of the board of directors is being expanded, to better consider the value of an applicant’s lived experience.
  • Non-members are welcome to apply for a position on the board. If elected, they will be required to apply for a complimentary RisingOaks' membership prior to the slate being presented to members.

These changes are a work in progress. They will be evaluated, and future adjustments may be made with an eye to continuous improvement.

 

Evaluation of Candidates:

In identifying qualified candidates for nomination to the board of directors and/or a board committee, the nominating committee will consider prospective candidates based on merit with regard to those competencies, expertise, skills, background and other qualities identified from time to time by the board as being important. As mentioned above, lived experience is valued and will be given consideration. RisingOaks Early Learning is currently accepting applications to fill six vacancies on the board for the 2024-2026 term. Of these, three current directors are eligible for and wish to stand for re-election.

To achieve the competencies required for the board to effectively exercise its duties, RisingOaks may give priority consideration to applicants with expertise or experience noted above as being a priority for this recruitment campaign.

All completed applications will be reviewed by the nominating committee. Qualified applicants will participate in a phone / video interview with members of the nominating committee. A transcript or notes of this interview will be recorded and shared with all committee members.

Based on the application, phone interviews, survey, and competency assessment — and in consideration of the expertise, skills, and perspectives prioritized for his recruitment campaign, as well as the overall board matrix, the nominating committee will recommend a Slate of Nominees to the board for approval.

  • In cases where there are a number of qualified applicants and any number of them would meet the requirements for a diverse board, the committee may recommend that all proceed to the Slate for election by the members via secret ballot. For example, if there are 10 such applicants for 6 positions. In this case, members would vote for up to 6 of the 10 nominees.
  • Based on feedback from prior applicants, in the event that there are only 1 to 2 more applicants than vacant positions, the nominating committee reserves the right to recommend a full Slate of Nominees for the exact number of position for the members to approve, and to recommend that those additional applicants be appointed to serve on a committee and be invited to re-apply to the board the next year.

What to Expect

Hours of Meeting Preparation, discussion and debate
Board Commitment: 3-hour orientation in April, 3-hour Board meetings bi-monthly starting in May; one full-day development session in October, on average, about 5 hours per month. Committees meet bi-monthly or quarterly for 2-hours each.

No wages... it's a volunteer position

Thanks and recognition offered regularly
Volunteers are valued and appreciated. We provide small tokens of appreciation throughout the year. More importantly, you gain recognition from your peers and a boost to your resume, as volunteering on a governance board is highly regarded. 

High stakes - it is child care, after all
The Board is accountable for the overall governance of RisingOaks - establishing policy, setting the strategic direction for RisingOaks' future and monitoring the overall performance of the Board, the CEO and the organization. So, lend your skills, expertise and voice to an important issue - one that affects all our children. Together, we can make a difference.

Opportunity for personal and professional growth
Develop leadership skills, gain experience in governance, strategic planning, risk management and much more. These skills are easily transferred into the workplace to enhance your career. Training is provided at our Annual Board Development Day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility
Who is entitled to stand for election to the Board of Directors?
  • Nominees for the Board of Directors may be RisingOaks Early Learning members or non-members.
  • Employees, their spouses or partners, are not eligible to stand for election
Commitment
How long is the term of office?
  • Directors serve for a two-year term with the option to stand for re-election for two terms (for a combined total of 6 years), if desired. The election takes place at the Annual General Meeting held on the 2nd Tuesday evening in April each year.
  • Committee members are also asked to serve a 2-year term, with the option to renew.
Expectations
What do committees do?
  • Committees do the work in preparation for the board’s approval.
    • The finance committee reviews monthly financial reports and does a deep dive into the budget, cross-checking budget assumptions and data.
    • The governance committee develops policies, evaluates risks and supports the board in implementing its governance model.
    • The nominating committee manages the board recruitment and selection process, facilitates board meeting evaluations, and manages director performance check-ins.
    • The government relations advisory committee works together with the chief executive officer to identify and act on advocacy opportunities.
Application/Process
Where do I submit my application?
  • Your application form must be signed to acknowledge consent to stand for election and to act in the capacity of director, committee member or both. As a result, you have the following options to submit your form:
    • By Inter-Office Courier:
      Place your completed, signed application in a sealed envelope and mark it Attention: Nominating Committee. Drop it off at any RisingOaks Early Learning location and the supervisor will forward it via our courier to head office.
    • Alternatively, you may submit an application by video or audio recording by responding to the same questions that are on the form. If you wish to do an alternate submission, please contact the CEO at 519-894-0581, ext 102 for assistance.