Board Member (Volunteer)
Canadian Centre for Safer Communities (CCFSC)
Location: Canada (remote participation)
Time Commitment: Approximately 6–10 hours per month
Term: 3 years (renewable)
Compensation: Volunteer (unpaid); Honoraria may be available on a case-by-case basis to support equitable access to board participation.
About the Canadian Centre for Safer Communities (CCFSC)
The Canadian Centre for Safer Communities (CCFSC) is a national non-profit organization representing more than 150 communities and approximately half of Canada’s population. CCFSC promotes and strengthens evidence-informed community safety and well-being (CSWB) strategies across urban, rural, and Indigenous communities through training, research, consulting, and knowledge exchange.
Our vision is a safer, more equitable Canada where every community has the knowledge, tools, capacity and partnerships needed for people to be safe and feel safe. Our focus is on enhancing prevention and addressing the underlying factors that can lead to criminalization, victimization, violence and harm.
Position Summary
Members of the CCFSC Board of Directors play a pivotal role in guiding the organization’s strategic direction and ensuring sound governance, fiduciary oversight, and adherence to CCFSC’s mission, vision, and values. Board Members serve as ambassadors, advocates, and thought partners—helping strengthen community safety and well-being through evidence-based leadership and collaborative decision-making.
This is an excellent opportunity for leaders passionate about community safety, social equity, and evidence-informed policy and practices to contribute to an organization with national reach and tangible local impact.
Key Responsibilities
Governance and Oversight
- Provide leadership in the development, implementation, and monitoring of CCFSC’s strategic plan, goals, and initiatives.
- Ensure the organization operates within its legal, ethical, and financial mandates, and complies with applicable legislation and bylaws.
- Review and approve budgets, policies, and strategic directions.
Advocacy and Representation
- Act as an ambassador for CCFSC, promoting its mission and expanding its network of partners, funders, and members.
- Represent the organization at events and in discussions aligned with community safety and well-being efforts across Canada.
Engagement and Committees
- Attend all regularly scheduled Board meetings and actively participate in discussions and decision-making.
- Serve on a Board committee and contribute meaningfully to its work.
- Read all materials prior to meetings to enable informed participation.
Accountability and Conduct
- Uphold the highest standards of integrity, equity, and inclusion.
- Represent the collective voice of the Board once decisions are made.
- Preserve confidentiality of Board discussions and respect staff roles and authority.
- Provide notice when unable to attend meetings; several absences without notice may result in removal from the Board.
- Maintain professional boundaries—individual Board members do not direct staff or operations.
Qualifications and Personal Attributes
Ideal candidates bring one or more of the following, from across professional and/or lived or living experience:
- Knowledge of non-profit governance, policy-making, or strategic planning.
- Understanding of equity, diversity, and inclusion, including Indigenous, racialized, and marginalized community contexts. This can be from professional and/or lived or living experience.
- Ability to think strategically, work collaboratively, and make independent, informed decisions.
- Skills in finance, fundraising and sponsorship, legal affairs, human resources, communications, or technology & AI are considered an asset.
- Experience in public safety, public health, social services, education, community development, or local government is considered an asset.
A commitment to reconciliation, social justice, and community well-being is essential.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
CCFSC Board and staff are committed to creating fair, representative, and welcoming environments, policies, and culture. Board and staff are supported in ongoing learning around in principles and practices that promote equity, diversity and inclusion, as these are a collective responsibility. At an organizational level, we support the ongoing staff and board learning in EDI and ground our work in cultural humility.
We recognize that systemic barriers have historically excluded many people from leadership and decision-making, and we are actively working to identify and remove those barriers within our own structures, policies, and culture. This commitment is inseparable from our mandate: the communities most affected by violence and safety inequities are often those least represented in the organizations meant to serve them. Board members are expected to bring EDI competency to their role, applying an equity lens to governance decisions, resource allocation, and organizational priorities.
We also recognize that reconciliation with Indigenous peoples requires dedicated attention in addition to general EDI commitments. Board members are expected to understand and support CCFSC's responsibilities in relation to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action, and to approach this as distinct and ongoing work.
CCFSC is committed to building a diverse and inclusive Board that reflects the communities we serve, including people with lived experience of violence, systemic harm, or barriers to safety and well-being. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, Black and racialized individuals, persons with disabilities, newcomers, members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and people from rural or northern areas.
How to Apply
Interested candidates are invited to submit a brief statement of interest and résumé outlining their background and motivations for joining the CCFSC Board of Directors, before July 29, 2026. Accommodations are available throughout the application process upon request. If you have questions about accessibility, honoraria options, what the role involves, or whether this might be the right fit for you, we welcome that conversation, please reach out.
Questions and applications can be sent to: [email protected]
Pay: $1.00 per year
Language:
- English (at least conversational) (required)
Location:
Work Location: Remote
