Board of Directors - Expression of Interest

Dying With Dignity Canada is the largest and oldest right to die with dignity organization in Canada. Founded in 1980, DWDC was incorporated in 1982 and received its current charitable status in 2018. The national charity is mainly funded through individual donations with more than 100,000 supporters across Canada.

All programs and services offered by DWDC are free of charge and designed to empower the public, patients, their families, and health care practitioners with tools to navigate and ensure end-of-life rights. At present, DWDC has 15 employees who are responsible for carrying out the organization’s mission. This work is focused on education, support programs, marketing and communications, development activities, volunteer engagement, advocacy, and administration.

The Board is comprised of between 9-15 individuals from across Canada. They are a volunteer, member-elected Board of Directors responsible for the organization’s strategic direction. The current Board consists of 13 members.

To ensure balance and diversity within the Board of Directors, we are looking for specific areas of expertise and encourage Expressions of Interest from individuals who have financial acumen/financial designation and/or:
• Represent Western or Northern Canada (British Columbia, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut), or Quebec or Eastern Canada
• Are Members of equity-seeking communities (including racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions)
• Have Board/Governance experience

Responsibilities
Board members are committed individuals willing to assume a leadership role in the governance of this national organization. Board members are responsible for:
• Providing leadership on issues related to the mission and vision of DWDC
• Setting strategic priorities
• Formulating governance policies
• Providing financial stewardship
• Oversight and monitoring of organizational performance

Basic Duties
1. Ensure that DWDC’s mission is clearly stated and enthusiastically supported along with its purpose.
2. Recruit and retain an effective CEO and support the Board Chair-CEO partnership.
3. Provide personal and organizational support for the CEO, periodically assessing CEO performance, and acknowledging strong service through appropriate compensation (with the support and diligence of the Human Resources Committee).
4. Through the strategic planning process, work with staff to translate the DWDC mission into objectives and goals that direct the focus of energy and resources.
5. Monitor and strengthen programs and services to ensure they align with DWDC’s mission and strategic plan.
6. Ensure the staff have adequate financial resources and that they do not spend beyond our means.
7. Facilitate opportunities for staff to cultivate, solicit, and steward donors.
8. Protect DWDC assets and provide appropriate financial oversight (with the support and diligence of the Finance and Audit Committee).
9. Build and sustain a competent Board (with the support and diligence of the Governance Committee).
10. Oversee the assessment, prioritization, and mitigation of risks to be managed by staff; regularly review management reports on the implementation of the risk strategy and framework.
11. Ensure legal and ethical integrity through adherence to the Code of Conduct, legal standards, and ethical norms, and by collectively exhibiting diligence, commitment, and vigilance.
12. Enhance DWDC’s public standing by being ambassadors and advocates, and together with management, communicating the organization’s story and aspirations while contributing to a healthy and accurate public image.

Commitment
•A two-year term
•Attend a minimum of four Board meetings yearly, plus the Annual Meeting and Board retreat (meetings may be held in person or virtually - a minimum of one meeting and Board retreat held in person when possible)
•Participate in at least one DWDC Committee
•Serve as an ambassador for DWDC

Qualifications
Directors must meet the qualifications under the Act6. Directors must also have:
1. A commitment to, and clear understanding of, the mission and purpose of the organization
2. Knowledge of meeting procedures, governance policies, and the bylaws of DWDC
3. Sufficient time to devote to their duties and to attend special events from time to time
4. Background and competencies required for the Board at a given time to ensure a healthy diversity of age, gender, regional representation, and professional and other experience