Job Description: Board Member

Position described: Director

All members of the Board of Directors.

Authority and Responsibility

The Board of Directors is the legal authority for the Edmonton Bicycle Commuters' Society. It consists of twelve directors, elected to two year terms. A Director acts in a position of trust for the cycling community and is responsible for effective oversight and governance of the organisation.

Qualifications

A Director must:

• be able to communicate effectively in English, both verbal and written, or be willing to provide an interpreter at their own expense.
• have an understanding of the needs of Edmonton's cycling community

Additional skills and experience in one or more of the following areas is beneficial, but not required:

• Finance and accounting
• Non-profit or corporate management
• Human resources management
• (Advocacy or Activism? -Adam)

Requirements

Board members must:

1. Be committed to furthering the EBC's objectives. Namely, providing a DIY repair shop in Edmonton; educating the public about safe and effective cycling; extending these services to marginalized communities; facilitating communication between Edmonton cyclists and government; and promoting cycling culture to the larger Edmonton community.
2. Chair a governance committee, or provide their time and expertise in another governance or management capacity.
3. Attend and participate in monthly Board Meetings. A reason for any absences should be communicated to the President or Chairperson in advance.
4. Attend the annual Board Retreat and Annual General Meeting
5. Recruit volunteers, and organize and attend meetings of the committee which they are chairing.

General Duties

A Director must seek to stay informed on organizational matters, and participate in decisions on matters of policy, finance, programs, personnel, and advocacy. A Director must always act on behalf of the best interests of EBC and its members.

Duties Include:

1. Approving EBC's annual budget, and reviewing monthly financial statements with that budget in mind.
2. Reviewing the bylaws and policies of EBC, and recommending changes where appropriate.
3. Approving, when appropriate, policy and other recommendations brought forward by other Directors, Staff members, committees, and members at large.
4. Approving the hire and release of the Executive Director, on the recommendation of a Human Resources Committee.
5. Assisting in the development of positive relations among the Board, staff, membership, and the community at large.

Expected time Commitment

An estimate of the monthly time commitment which Board members undertake:

1. Attend a monthly board meeting: 3 hours. (Prep time including reading reports and proposed policy: 3 hours. -Adam)
2. Review and respond to governance related emails: 2 hours.
3. Chairing a committee, or alternate governance/management tasks: 3 hours. (Fact-finding and policy-writing related to that committee: 3 hours. -Adam)

In addition to a monthly commitment, Board members are expected to attend two annual events:

• The board retreat (approximately 8 hours) to bring new board members up to speed, and set the direction for the year.
• The Annual General Meeting (approximately 3 hours).

Board members taking on executive roles, such as the President, may need additional time to complete the duties associated with those positions. Note that operational work is not expected of Board members, but may be undertaken in addition to the duties listed above.

Term

Directors are elected at each Annual General Meeting to two year terms, beginning December 1 of the year in which they are elected. Directors are released at the end of their term, or through resigning or removal in accordance with the EBC's Bylaws.