The Board of Directors

Every three years, members of Oxfam Canada elect a Board of Directors to provide policy oversight to the organization, ensuring it is fulfilling its mission and meeting its legal and financial obligations. Members of the Board serve as trustees on behalf of all of the organization’s constituents ― members, volunteers, donors, counterparts, allies and others.

The current Board of Directors is made up of twelve voting members. Four ‘at large’ directors are elected by the membership across the country; five ‘regional directors’ are elected, one per region, by members from that region (i.e., Newfoundland, the Maritimes, Ontario, the Prairies and British Columbia); and one ‘youth director’ is elected by youth members (aged 18 to 29) from across the country. As well, the Board includes the Chair and normally, the Past Chair. In addition, the Board includes two non-voting members ― the Executive Director and an Oxfam Canada staff representative.

 The nomination process is designed to encourage a diverse range of candidates who bring different skills, backgrounds and expertise to the Board. The bylaws allow the Board to appoint additional directors to fill strategic gaps that may occur.

The Board of Directors meets two or three times a year, and by teleconference as required. The Executive Committee ― consisting of the Officers, the Chair of the Policy Committee and the Executive Director ― meets regularly between Board meetings.

There are five standing committees of the Board: Executive Committee; the Program Committee, which is constituted as a committee of the whole and chaired by the Vice-Chair of the Board: the Finance Committee, which also serves as the Audit Committee and is chaired by the Treasurer; the Membership and Volunteer Committee, which is chaired by the Board Secretary; and the Policy Committee.

Operational policy and management of the organization rests with the Executive Director and the management team. This team consists of the Ottawa-based Executive Director, Manager of Programs and Manager of Organizational Services, and the Manager of Fundraising, based in Toronto.

Regional Steering Committees

Oxfam Canada’s national organization is supported by a regional structure, including five Regional Steering Committees (RSCs) and regional offices in Newfoundland and Labrador (St. John’s), the Maritimes (Halifax), Ontario (Toronto), Prairies (Saskatoon) and British Columbia (Vancouver). The Regional Steering Committee is responsible for organizing Regional Assemblies and helps provide support to member activities, maintains records of groups and activities in the region, and facilitates communication between the Board and local volunteer committees and campus groups.  As well, it establishes Regional Elections Committees and other committees.

Regional Steering Committees include an elected Regional Chair, National Board members residing in that region, a Regional Youth Liaison, Canadian Program Staff from the region and additional members elected by the Regional Assembly or invited to participate by the Committee. The Committee meets in person or by telephone at least three times per year.