Title: Board of Directors
Application deadline: July 31, 2022
Location: Anywhere in Canada
NEW BOARD MEMBER RECRUITMENT
LEAF (the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund) is currently seeking a new member to join its Board of Directors for a three-year term! LEAF is a well-established and dedicated advocate for gender equality, demonstrating tangible results year after year. LEAF focuses on litigation, law reform, and public education. In particular, we seek to advance the substantive equality of women, girls, trans and non-binary people by challenging laws, policies, and practices that discriminate against equality guarantees enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, most notably sections 15 and 28.
Since 1985, LEAF has intervened in over 100 cases that have worked to advance equality in Canada. Our cases have resulted in landmark victories preventing violence against women and gender diverse people, eliminating discrimination in the workplace, allowing access to reproductive freedoms, and providing better maternity benefits, better spousal support, and the right to pay equity. Charter rights, in general, and section 15, in particular, have been tested and strengthened through the advocacy work of LEAF.
THE ROLE OF THE BOARD
The Board of Directors is the legal authority for LEAF. As a member of the Board, a Director acts in a position of trust for the community and is responsible for the effective governance of the organization. The Board of Directors is accountable to LEAF’s funders for the services outlined in any contribution agreements or contracts. Our Board works closely with the Executive Director and General Counsel in a governance and strategic, but non-operational, capacity.
The Board meets 12 times per year and board members are expected to attend all board meetings and to join at least one committee (Fund Development, Governance, Law Program, Finance and Audit, and Nominating). Board members are elected for a three-year mandate, which can be renewed once. Candidates may apply from across Canada, and meetings can be attended virtually or via phone. Being a board member requires a commitment of 5-10 hours per month.
IDEAL QUALITIES FOR THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE
LEAF invites community activists, lawyers, law students, academics, and anyone else who is passionate about gender equality in Canada to share your talents with us. We are recruiting one candidate to strengthen the diversity of perspectives and lived experiences at the board level. In particular, we welcome applications from candidates with experience and knowledge in any of the following areas:
- Anti-racist and anti-colonial practice
- Community and frontline activism
- Human rights and equality litigation
- Law reform
- Non-profit governance
- Program development
- Public education
- Social work
LEAF is committed to building a team that is reflective of the diversity of those we serve. We encourage applications from women, trans, Two-Spirit, and/or non-binary applicants who are Black, Indigenous, racialized, disabled, and/or from other marginalized communities. LEAF also encourages those early in their careers to apply. Preference will be given to candidates that will enhance the diversity, depth, and competencies of our board.
We invite interested applicants to complete and email the volunteer application form with your resume and a cover letter that speaks to what draws you to the work of LEAF and the unique perspectives you would bring to this board position to [email protected].
Applicants selected for an interview will be contacted by August 5, 2022. Interviews will be conducted during the second week of August 2022. Successful candidates will be notified by August 15, 2022 and will join the Board of Directors at our Annual Board Retreat in September 2022.
Please submit your application as soon as possible. The deadline is July 31, 2022.
LEAF Board of Directors Application Form (PDF)
LEAF Board of Directors Application Form (Word Document)
If you have any questions please contact LEAF National at 416-595-7170 or [email protected].
About Us
LEAF is a national, charitable, non-profit organization founded in 1985. LEAF works to advance the equality of women, girls, trans, and non-binary people in Canada through litigation, law reform and public education using the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. For more information, please visit us at www.leaf.ca.
