Board Recruitment

About the Board

RisingOaks Early Learning is governed by a volunteer board of directors in a policy governance model. Day-to-day operations are delegated to the CEO. The board sets direction via the mission, vision, values, strategic plan, governance policies and budget. Their key role is to direct and protect. The board has adopted the Governance Excellence Model (GEM) to guide its work.

As a board, we are working to be a leader in challenging systemic bias and barriers by learning together and reflecting on our policies and practices.

Alisha Michiels, Past Chair, serves as the Chair of the board’s nominating committee and will issue the official Call for Nominations on January 6, 2025.

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), adoptive/foster parents, single parents, and/or those with 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:
    • Five 2-year terms (April 2025 – 2027)
  • Committee Members:
    • Finance & Audit
    • Governance
    • Government Relations
    • Nominating

 

Application details and tools will be posted here in late December.

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.