Wondering about Joining the Board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Yorkton Inc.?

Selection and composition of the Board

It is important that Board members be selected from a broad base representative of the community served by the agency, such as, business and professional interest, management and labour, and all significant elements which have a contribution to make to the success of its services.

Board members should be selected, not for their affiliation alone, but with due regard for their present and potential capacities for leadership, for their willingness and ability to give the time required.

Modern social welfare programs are founded on certain basis concepts and it should be assumed that persons accepting membership on a Board of Directors are sympathetic to these principles, which include:

1. Recognition of the worth and dignity of each individual;
2. Recognition that the individuals differ in their capacities to meet life situations and that they will seek solutions in accordance with the capacities;
3. Belief in the ability of individuals to change if they are given help;
4. Recognition that the community has a responsibility to provide resources to help individuals find solutions for their problems;
5. Respect for cultural variations among people and their potentialities for enriching community life.

General Functions

The general functions of a Board are to plan and direct policy, make decisions, be responsible to the organization and the community it serves, so the stated purposes, goals and objectives can be attained. In order to achieve and maintain membership in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada, the agency must comply with the Organizational and Service Delivery Standards.

To be an Incorporated Association, we must, by law, have a Board of Directors. In essence the Board of Directors is not the employer, individually, but as a group. Board members are the representatives of our agency in the community, promoting the work of the organization, the need for volunteers, Big Brothers and Big Sisters and the need for funds.

Appointment

As stated in the Bylaws, the number of Board members should not be less than six (6) and more than twelve (12). Board members are nominated by the Board of Directors and include a mixture of Big Brothers/Big Sisters (past and present), Mentors (past and present), parents of Little Brothers/Little Sisters, and business, professional, or otherwise interested people from the community to serve the organizations goals and purpose. Members bring a diversity of talent, experience, skill, interest and represent various socioeconomic backgrounds.

Commitment

Most Board Members will be involved one to three times a month for an average of two to six hours per month. Most work is done at the Committee level, but attendance at monthly Board meetings is also required. Board members shall receive no salaries for their services. As a members of a volunteer community board, you are a vital factor in the delivery of social programs in Saskatchewan.

Board/Staff

1. To know and understand the responsibilities of the Board and staff;
2. To know and maintain lines of communication between the Board and staff;
3. To become acquainted with the office facilities and Executive Director, thus ensuring an understanding of the purpose and scope of the agency;
4. To give moral support to the Executive Director.

Board of Directors

1. To be regular and punctual at all Board meetings. If unable to attend give early notice to the Board Chairperson or the Executive Director;
2. To notify Chairperson in advance if reporting at a Board meeting to ensure proper item is placed on agenda;
3. To be informed about the background of issues in order to discuss them responsibly;
4. To be involved at Board meetings; ask questions, discuss, participate in decision making, react to ideas, exercise initiative;
5. To observe confidentiality in regard to information about clients or volunteers.

Individual Board Members Responsibilities

1. To attend Board meetings and be an active and committed participant in the affairs of the Agency;
2. To become acquainted with the philosophy and program of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Organization;
3. To be actively involved in at least one committee of the Board to implement the immediate and long range objectives of the Agency;
   
   1. The Committees are:
      
      1. Executive;
      2. Budget and Finance Fund-raising;
      3. Screening and Matching;
         Personnel;
      4. Publicity and Recruitment Activities.
         
   2. Sub-Committees:
      
      1. United Way Representative;
      2. Program Development;
      3. Churchbridge In-School Mentoring.
         
      4. Time Commitment; Give two to six hours each month of volunteer time to this job for a period of one or two years. One term on the Board is two years;
         
      5. Policy Formation:
         
         1. Determine and approve policies affecting all aspects of the agency's operation;
         2. Recognize procedures in the agency that require new policy and determine the need for expansion, modification and revision.
      6. Financial Responsibility:
         
         1. To raise funds to maintain and expand the services of the agency;
         2. To promote community support and involvement for the agency's fund raising events;
         3. To advise on and approve the budget of the agency's expenses.
      7. Community:
         
         1. To promote recruitment of Big Brothers and Big Sisters from the community and to recruit new Board members as required;
         2. To be responsible for continuing self education and growth; know the community; be familiar with community resources; be aware of changing community trends and clientele needs; attend related community functions; keep informed of organization's services.
            

How Much Time will it Take?

About 2 to 6 hours per month

• Committee Meetings 1 hour;
• Committee work 2 to 4 hours;
• Board of Directors 2 hours every second month.
  

Why do we need a strong Board?

First and foremost, a strong board makes it possible to deliver the best quality service to our clients.

Our program provides positive experiences and friendships that can enrich a child's life.
Only through the concerned support of Board members and the meticulous casework of the staff, however, can we ensure that the program will be safe and secure for both child and volunteer.

Board Member General Responsibilities

The Board of Directors, as a group, is responsible to the community for the overall conduct of the Agency with specific reference to:

1. Policy
   
   1. A primary responsibility of the Board Directors is to determine and approve policies affecting all aspects of the agency's operation.
   2. The Board will establish long-range plans for the operation, growth and development of the Agency.
   3. While usually not directly involved in administering the service, the Board should establish a policy framework within which the Executive Director and staff are expected to work and which they should help to formulate.
      
2. Finance
   1. 
      Budget: The Board must assume final responsibility for ensuring a budget adequate to meet the needs and to carry out the stated purpose of the organization.
   2. The Board is responsible for managing and administering the Agency's funds.
   3. The Board holds title to all properties and funds of the Agency and serves as trustee of these properties and funds.
      
3. Staff
   1. 
      The duties of the Board include careful selection of the Agency's Executive Director and to ensure that the Agency has sufficient and competent staff to carry out its functions. The Board may delegate the responsibility of hiring the Executive Director to the Personnel Committee and the hiring of other staff members to the Executive Director.
   2. The Board will develop specific criteria for the objective evaluation of the Executive Director and making such evaluations periodically.
      
4. Community
   
   1. The Board is representative of the community and bears ultimate responsibility to the community. It should interpret the agency to the community, and also bring the community's viewpoint to the work of the agency as a whole.
      
5. National
   1. The Board must maintain a responsible relationship with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada in terms of financial support through payment of dues, participation in National decision making, use of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada services and materials, co-operation in agency reviews, and participation in Regional and National meetings.
      
6. Confidentiality
   1. The Board must insist upon respecting the confidential nature of some of the information concerning the Bigs, Littles and their families. Such confidential information is available only to members of the Screening and Matching Committee.