Call for New Board Members

Save the date: Cycle Toronto's Annual General Meeting is Wednesday, May 8th at 7 pm at the Tranzac Club

Cycle Toronto is a member-supported charity that has been leading the change for a better cycling city for all since 2008. With a modest full-time staff team, the Cycle Toronto is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors.

What is the process for joining the Board? 

1. Complete our online Nomination Form and email a copy of your resume/CV to Dana O’Born, Chair ([email protected]) by Friday, April 26, 2024. Please note: your resume/CV will not be shared with anyone outside the Board / AGM Committee.
2. The AGM Committee will review nominations and select candidates for a brief interview. The purpose of this interview is for us to learn more about you and for you to ask questions about what it’s like to be on the Board. 
3. The AGM Committee will select a shortlist of recommended candidates based on the needs of the Board for the upcoming year, and advise all candidates of their selection. All candidates have the option to proceed to election.   
4. Candidates will deliver a short speech to the membership at our Annual General Meeting, which will take place in-person at the Tranzac Club on Wednesday, May 8th. Accommodations are available if candidates are unable to attend in person. Cycle Toronto members will vote on the candidates and the winners will be announced at the AGM.

What does the Board of Directors do?

The Board of Directors provides governance, leadership, fundraising, and financial oversight to our staff and operations. Directors are also required to sit on one or more committees. These committees include:

• Advocacy: supports and assists the Cycle Toronto staff team in pursuing evidence-based solutions to make cycling a viable option for more Torontonians
• Anti-Oppression: advises the organization on how to apply an anti-oppression lens to our work and how to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion within the organization (this is a temporary committee and this work would otherwise fall under Governance)
• Finance: provides oversight, disclosure and transparency on financial matters; oversees the budgeting and audit processes
• Fundraising: provides leadership in developing fundraising strategy and implementing the fundraising plan
• Governance: advises the Board on strategic direction of the organization and on the operations of the Board itself
• Human Resources: advises and supports the staff with respect to human resources issues as they arise; develops human resources policies and practices regarding staffing, compensation, professional development, and succession planning
• IT: provides guidance to staff on all IT-related decisions, including our websites and systems

Please note that the primary role of the Board is not “advocacy.” Members who are mostly interested in that (critical) aspect of Cycle Toronto’s mission should consider joining the organization’s Advocacy Committee as a non-director member.

How many spots are open on the board?

Three. We hope that two of those spots will go to existing directors who are seeking re-election and that we will add one new director.

What skills and experience are we looking for?

We are in need of individuals with qualifications, skills, and experience in the following areas (priority areas in bold): 

• Finance / Accounting
• Anti-Oppression and Equity Initiatives
• Human resources / Law
• Coordinating or managing a group or organization
• Experience on a non-profit board of directors 
• Equity and anti-oppression 
• Fundraising
• Risk management
• Communications and marketing
• Community affiliation/access

Members without these particular skills and experiences, but who have a passion for our mission are also encouraged to apply.

Cycle Toronto is committed to recruiting, nominating, and supporting candidates for the Board that reflect the diversity of our membership and Toronto at large. Cycle Toronto encourages applications in particular from people who live outside of downtown Toronto, individuals from racialized groups, Indigenous people, women, people with disabilities, people of diverse faiths, people of diverse social classes, people with diverse gender identities, and people with diverse sexual orientations.

In addition to all of the above, we look for candidates who understand the role of a non-profit board of directors, are knowledgeable about Cycle Toronto, and are committed to promoting equity and anti-oppression in our work.

Am I eligible to be a director?

To be eligible for a seat on the Board of Directors, an individual must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Not have a bankruptcy that is undischarged
• Be (or become before the AGM) a member of Cycle Toronto in good standing* 
• Have at least one nomination from a Cycle Toronto member, which may be a self-nomination.

*Cycle Toronto also offers a discounted membership option for anyone who is low-income, a student, or a senior. No proof is required to utilize this rate. Additionally, if cost—including the cost of a discounted membership—is a barrier, a bartered membership that exchanges volunteer time for your contributions is also an option.

Unsure of your membership status? Reach out at [email protected].

What is the time commitment?

Serving as a Director is a serious commitment. We require a minimum of 5 hours per month but many directors choose to spend more time based on their availability and interests. Here are some specific requirements for board members: 

• Attend and participate in regular Board meetings (5 per year) (2.5 hours);
• Actively participate in 1-2 Board committees, with meetings for each committee every 1 or 2 months (1-2 hours);
• In years 2 and 3, each director should offer to serve as either (i) an Executive member (President, Chair, Secretary, Treasurer of the Board) or (ii) Chair of one committee;
• Assist in Board and committee work between meetings, including preparing meeting agendas and background documents/research and responding to emails in a timely way;
• Stay informed about the organization and attend at least one Cycle Toronto program event per year (e.g. the Big Toronto Bike Ride, Advocacy Forum, Coldest Day of the Year Ride)

Cycle Toronto’s Board is a “working Board” rather than a “governance Board.” Therefore directors, more than in other organizations, are expected to be engaged, to support staff, and to assist in Board projects. Directors do more than sit in meetings: they need to be responsive to email correspondence from peers and take leadership and initiative in Board administration. At the same time, the role of a Director is not to assign specific projects to staff or insist on initiatives outside of the operational plan.  

How long will I be on the Board for?

Ideally, each Director will complete their full three (3) year term to help ensure continuity. If you are enjoying yourself, standing for a second term as an experienced Director is strongly encouraged.

Why does the Board recommend candidates?

The Board of Directors serves a crucial role in the work that Cycle Toronto does. Every year as directors turn over, we are left with gaps in skills and experience that must be filled. The existing Board is in a unique position to assess what skills and experience are required for this work, what gaps exist, and which candidates might best fill those gaps. 

The Board will interview candidates and recommend to our membership a shortlist of candidates for election. This is the process taken by most established non-profits and one that we believe strikes a balance between democratic openness and building an effective board. 

Regardless of which candidates the Board endorses, all candidates are welcome to run in the election and the directors are ultimately elected by the membership at the AGM.  

What if I am nervous about running in an election?

We hear you! We all went through it and know that it can be stressful for some of us.

First, deciding to nominate yourself is only the first step. Once you understand the role better, and the election process better, you can make a final decision about whether to run. So don’t let this be a reason not to fill out the nomination form!

Second, we are happy to offer support and guidance throughout the process. We can walk you through each step and give advice based on our experience. Just let us know!

What if I am interested in this work but don’t want to run for the Board?

If you are interested in the work of the Board but are not interested in running for election, or are only interested in one committee, consider applying to join a committee as a non-director member. Please visit our website for more information about those opportunities. 

If you are curious about other ways to volunteer with Cycle Toronto, please visit our volunteering webpage. 

Questions?

If you have any questions about the application process, or the Board itself, please contact us. We thank you for your interest and support!