July 2023
Deadline to apply: Friday, September 8, 2023
MAX Ottawa Community Health: Championing the health and wellness of queer and trans guys in the Ottawa region since 2002.
MAX offers programming and services that focus on health needs for 2-Spirit, gay, bisexual/pansexual, queer, and other men who have sex with men and transmasculine non-binary people. Between health navigation, sexual health education and support, providing harm reduction supplies, and social programming, the team of staff and volunteers aims to tangibly improve the lives of people in our community.
In many ways, our work begins and ends with a strong and diverse Board of Directors.
Openings on the Board
MAX has several spots open on the Board of Directors that we are looking to fill in September. As the legal authority for the organization, the Board is responsible for things like legal and financial accountability, high-level strategic direction and leadership, community engagement, and fundraising. While staff handle the day-to-day operations of our programs and services, the Board is ultimately responsible for the management of MAX’s affairs and for all aspects of MAX’s work.
We are looking for dedicated members of the community with diverse skills and experiences to help advance our mission and improve the quality of life of queer and trans people in the National Capital Region.
A Director’s Roles and Responsibilities
Directors play a crucial role in advancing MAX’s mission and need to build and maintain trust within the communities we serve. On any Board, Directors are expected to be fully informed of organizational matters, act as ambassadors for the organization, and participate in the Board’s deliberations and decisions (i.e. they do their homework, show up to meetings, and are active participants in an organization’s decision-making and follow-through). Directors have a legal obligation to exercise due diligence, loyalty, and care for the organizations they serve.
In general, the MAX Board will be focused on the following areas in the coming years:
• Establishing and safeguarding MAX’s mission and planning for the future;
• Ensuring financial stewardship;
• Ensuring human resources stewardship;
• Ensuring performance monitoring and accountability to stakeholders;
• Maintaining strong links with the community (representation, engagement, and education);
• Ensuring risk management.
Typically, the Board isn’t involved in the day-to-day operations of the organization. Instead, Directors focus on setting clear direction for the organization and getting the best results for community members.
Directors are responsible for doing the work of organizational governance. Generally, each Director is expected to fulfil these duties:
1. Due diligence:
- Be informed of the articles of incorporation, of the legislation under which the corporation exists, of the organization’s bylaws, mission, values, code of conduct, and policies;
- Stay informed about the activities of the organization, the community issues that affect it, and the general trends in the business in which the organization operates; and
- Attend board meetings, serve on committees, contribute to the work of the board from personal, professional, and life experience.
2. Loyalty
- Act with honesty and good faith in the best interests of the corporation;
- Support the decisions made by the Board and fellow Directors when they’ve been made in good faith at a Board meeting, based on all available facts; and
- Be aware of—and declare—any real, possible, or perceived personal conflict of interest by following the steps set out in the organization’s bylaws, policies, and statutory requirements.
3. Care
- Exercise the same degree of care, diligence, and skill that a reasonably prudent person would show in similar circumstances;
- Share personal perspectives and opinions on issues that are being discussed or decided upon at the Board;
- Speak up during Board meetings when they disagree with a possible decision and be clear about why they feel that way;
- Ask for a review of a decision if they have reasonable grounds to believe that the Board acted without full information or in a way that didn’t follow its obligations;
- Work cooperatively with MAX staff and other Directors on committees of the Board; and
- Know and respect the distinction in the roles of Board and staff, consistent with the principles underlying applicable governance policies.
Time and Effort Commitments
The Board typically meets eight times each year and meetings usually last two to three hours. Directors are expected to:
- Know their responsibilities and the work of the organization;
- Contribute their knowledge and skills in at least one area of Board governance (i.e. policy, finance, programs, human resources, fundraising);
- Be available to serve on Board committees; and
- Attend the annual retreat and the annual general meeting, along with other special events as needed.
Added commitment in line with the needs of the organization is encouraged. Board terms last for two years.
Skills and Qualifications
Overall, MAX Directors should have:
- Lived experience as a member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community;
- At least a basic knowledge of the social determinants of health;
- The ability to communicate effectively with 2SLGBTQ+ community members from an array of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds;
- A genuine passion for working with 2SLGBTQ+ communities;
- The ability to work as part of a team;
- A commitment to ongoing learning; and
- The willingness to adhere to MAX’s policies.
In particular, the Board is looking for Directors with:
- Experience in and knowledge of financial or human resources management;
- Experience in public health;
- Experience in non-profit governance;
- Experience in fundraising;
- Experience in the field of equity, diversity, and inclusion; or
- Fluency in both French and English.
In order to fulfil our mission, MAX needs to be able to meet the needs of the diverse communities we serve. We are committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, to reconciliation with Indigenous people, and to ending anti-Black racism and discrimination. We expect Board members, staff, and volunteers to do their best to incorporate these principles and values in their work with MAX and our programs and we support efforts to learn and grow in our work.
That said, we strongly welcome and encourage people who are Indigenous, racialized, trans or non-binary, immigrants or refugees, substance users, HIV positive, living with disabilities, or who have been unhoused to apply and to self-identify.
How to Apply
The deadline to apply is Friday, September 8, 2023.
Please email your résumé and a cover letter explaining your interest and experience to Teilhard Paradela, Chair of the Governance Committee: board.recruitment@maxottawa.ca. This email inbox and the recruitment process are confidential.
If you are new to MAX as a volunteer, please also fill out the online volunteer application form, available in English or French.
English: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1aayCq1lFj_qivrUAktuKrdKzB3B5ZuYYGLTInGTPuoo/edit
French: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1aZl0v_YN6i-MwEXKx0MP3NyTMSuT_4D7rsonWkFbnTg/edit
Additional resources
If you have questions about the Board, about MAX, or about the application process, you can:
- Email us at board.recruitment@maxottawa.ca
- Join us at one of the upcoming recruitment drop-in times at the MAX office
- Wednesday, August 9, 2023, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, August 30, 2023, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- Join us at the upcoming recruitment drop-in online
- Friday, August 18, 2023
- The link to join will be shared once you RSVP
RSVP for August 18 recruitment drop-in online
General inquiries:
400, Cooper St, suite 9004,
Ottawa, ON K2P 2H8
T: 613.701.6555
