Board Member

Chief Kinosew Awasak Mikwahp (Driftpile Children’s Lodge) is a community-based and family-oriented organization dedicated to providing care, protection, and well-being for all Driftpile Cree Nation children in a preventative manner, promoting healing for children, families, and the community. A coordinated, holistic, and interdisciplinary approach forms the foundation of the Agency, ensuring that the developmental needs of children, youth, and families are met with respect for their cultural identity, customs, traditions, beliefs, and values.

Accountability

CKAM is looking for five (5) Board Members who will be accountable for the active oversight of the business affairs and responsible for the highest level of decision making and legal authority under Mihtatakaw Sîpiy Awas’ak Wiyasiwêwin (CFS Law).

Board Members must act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the children, exercise care, diligence, and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances and comply with the Law, any Resolutions and Wiyasiwêwinihk (Bylaws) of the Board. The Board policies include code of conduct and conflict of interest guidelines.

Authority

Individual Board Members have no authority to direct or make requests of the executive director or staff, or to speak on behalf of Chief Kinosêw Awas’ak Mîkiwâhp unless given such authority by the board.

Responsibility

Board Members are responsible for acting in the best long-term interests of the Agency and Driftpile Cree Nation and will bring to their deliberations a broad knowledge, a long-range view and openness to learning.

Clients or family members of clients who serve on the board are expected to keep their board and client or family member support roles separate and will be treated the same as other clients or family members in matters related to the provision of CKAM services.

Chief Kinosêw Awas’ak Mîkiwâhp will provide reimbursements and remuneration for board activities and travel.

Principle Duties

Every member of Chief Kinosêw Awas’ak Mîkiwâhp Board of Directors, including the Board’s officers, is expected to do the following:

• Prepare for and participate in board meetings.


• Monthly Board meeting and Special Board meetings with the Executive Director and Indigenous Governing Body.


• Attend and participate in the Annual General Meeting.


• Listen to others’ views, advocate their own, identify common interests and alternatives, and be open to compromise.


• Support governance decisions once made.


• Participate in the development of a strategic plan to help guide realizing the vision, achieving its goals and future decisions.

• Abide by the by-laws, code of conduct and other polices that apply to the board.


• Participate in the approval of the annual budget and monitor the financial performance of the Agency (stewardship).


• Help establish, review and monitor operational polices including ones related to finance and human resources.


• Participate in the hiring of, and if required, the releasing of, the Executive Director.


• Participate in the evaluation of the Executive Director.


• Participate in the evaluation of the board itself (annual board self-evaluation).


• Contribute to the work of the board as a member of a board committee.


• Be an ambassador for Chief Kinosêw Awas’ak Mîkiwâhp in the wider community.


• Keep informed about community issues relevant to the work of the Agency.

Qualifications

The following are considered key board qualifications:

• Knowledge of Driftpile Cree Nation goals and aspirations of Child and Family Services.


• Commitment to Chief Kinosêw Awas’ak Mîkiwâhp vision and strategic directions.


• Availability of sufficient time to devote to board duties.


• Considered a subject matter expert in one of the below areas:
  
  
  
  • Social Work
  
  
  • Finance
  
  
  • Law
  
  
  • Business Management
  
  
  
  


• Elder or young person who has Driftpile Cree Nation membership.


• Previous Board experience is considered an asset.


• Fluency in Cree is considered an asset.


• Openness to learning.

Evaluation

The performance of individual directors is evaluated annually in the context of the evaluation of the whole board and is based on the carrying out of duties and responsibilities as outlined above.

Removal of a Board Member

A director (member) may be removed from the board, by the Indigenous Governing Body by Resolution for justifiable cause.