The Ontario Municipal Social Services Association (OMSSA) is inviting nominations for the Association‘s Board of Directors.

Members will be elected to the Board at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Association for a two-year term of office. For the 2024-2026 term, there are two (2) vacancies to be filled on the 10-member Board. This year‘s AGM is being held in-person on Wednesday, June 12, 2024.

Please see information below regarding Nominee Eligibility and Nominator Eligibility

Basic Eligibility Criteria and Conditions

1. Directors must be at least 18 years old.
2. Undischarged bankrupts are ineligible to serve as Directors.
3. A Director is expected to commit the time required to perform board and committee duties. The minimum time commitment is 10-15 hours per month.
4. Directors must fulfill the requirements and responsibilities of their position. For example, preparing for and attending board and committee meetings, upholding their fiduciary obligations and working cooperatively and respectfully with other board members. Directors must comply with legislation governing the corporation, the corporation‘s by-laws and policies and other applicable rules.
5. Directors will be required to sign a Declaration confirming their agreement to adhere to their fiduciary duties and board / corporate policies.

Diversity and Representation

OMSSA is committed to recruiting candidates for the Board that reflect the diversity of its membership (the 47 Consolidated Municipal Service Managers (CMSMs) and District Social Services Administration Boards (DSSABs)), as well as the communities they serve, including:

• Demographic
• Linguistic
• Economic
• Geographic
• Gender
• Cultural
• Ethnic
• Sectoral (i.e. housing and homelessness, children‘s services, income security, and emergency services)

OMSSA encourages nominations in particular from individuals from racialized groups and Indigenous Peoples to ensure that our board is reflective of the racial diversity of the populations its members serve. 

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

The OMSSA Board of Directors will reflect a complimentary mix of skills, knowledge and expertise. The skills, knowledge and expertise that will be considered include (in no specific order):

• Sector specific (human services / municipal / DSSAB) knowledge and experience
  • Housing and Homelessness
  • Children‘s Services
  • Income Security
  • Emergency Social Services
• Strategic planning
• Critical thinking
• Business management
• Human resources management
• Government and government relations
• Political acumen
• Risk management
• Financial expertise
• Board and governance
• Public affairs and communications
• Ethics
• Demographic considerations

Behavioural Qualities

The Board requires all Board members to:

• commit and adhere to the vision, mission and core values of the organization;
• act with honesty and integrity;
• understand a Director‘s role and fiduciary duties, and the role of the Board;
• think strategically;
• work as part of a team;
• communicate effectively;
• have or commit to acquire, financial literacy appropriate to OMSSA as a non-profit organization and the scope of OMSSA‘s activities;
• be willing to devote the time and effort required to be an effective Board member, including attendance at Board orientation, Board retreats, Board meetings, committee meetings and association events;
• be free of conflicts that would impede a Director‘s ability to fulfill his or her fiduciary duties; and,
• demonstrate the ability to recognize and manage specific conflicts of interest that arise from time to time.

Nominator Eligibility

Leads/Delegates or Associate Member who meets the above criteria are eligible to run for OMSSA‘s Board of Directors, provided that they are nominated by:

• the designated Lead / Delegate for their organization (if the nominee is an Associate Member)
• a Lead / Delegate from another OMSSA member organization (if the nominee is the designated Lead / Delegate for their own organization)

Please consult this list to determine who the designated Lead / Delegate is for each of OMSSA‘s 47 member organizations.