The 2023 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Toronto Humane Society will be held virtually on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at 6:00pm using GetQuorum. More details on how to attend will be available as we approach the AGM.
The meeting is open to all members of Toronto Humane Society, although voting privileges are restricted to members who live or work within 60km of our location (11 River Street, Toronto, ON, M5A 4C2).
There are 15 seats on Toronto Humane Society’s Board of Directors; seven are up for election at the 2023 AGM.
Under Toronto Humane Society’s by‐laws and the Corporations Act, all Directors must:
While you don’t have to be a Toronto Humane Society member to run for election, you must become a member within 10 days of being elected to the Board of Directors, and adhere to the Member Code of Conduct.
Learn more about what’s involved by reading the Director Profile.
Succession planning is integral to the success of any organization, and Toronto Humane Society is no different. The Board has a responsibility to plan for leadership transition. It looks at the competencies and expertise that will be needed in the longer term to ensure optimal organizational effectiveness.
In order to achieve and maintain the balance of expertise required to oversee our charity, in addition to a proven commitment to animal welfare, skills such as veterinary medicine, fundraising, finance, human resources, facilities & property management, risk management and information technology are especially needed. A strategic thinker with a business mindset who understands the role of Board oversight, and who is a collaborative, but constructive, challenger, will be an asset to the Board of Directors.
All candidates will be invited to meet with members of the Nominating Committee to discuss their skills, interests, and views. The Board will then recommend seven candidates whose professional qualifications, knowledge, experience, and personal qualities best fit the Board’s needs and ensure the continuing success of the Society through strong and effective leadership.
If you would like to be a candidate for the Board of Directors, please complete the nomination form and have it signed by two members in good standing. Please submit the form, along with your completed nomination questionnaire to membership@torontohumanesociety.com
Your nomination must be received by Friday, June 09, 2023, at 4:00 pm
Download the Nomination Form
Download the Nomination Questionnaire
What’s involved in being a Director?
The Board of Directors of Toronto Humane Society meets once a month for two to three hours, although meetings may happen more frequently and/or last longer. Directors may also sit on Board and/or volunteer committees. Each Board and committee meeting usually requires some advance preparation, so Directors should expect to dedicate about 10-15 hours a month to Toronto Humane Society.
What does the Board do?
The Board focuses on policy and governance, setting goals and strategies for the organization and monitoring its performance. Operational details are the role of the CEO. A good way to describe this is that the Board decides what to do, while the CEO determines how to do it. The Board is not involved in the day-to-day management of the organization.
Read the Director Profile to learn more about what the Board does and what skills and experience are most needed. You may also find it helpful to read the minutes from past Board meetings.
How are Officers chosen?
Each year, the 15 Directors on the Board elect the Officers (Chair, President, Vice President(s), Secretary and Treasurer). It is usually the first order of business at the first Board meeting after the AGM.
Do I have to be a Toronto Humane Society member to run for election to the Board of Directors?
No. Anyone who meets the requirements set out in the by-laws and the Corporations Act may run for a seat on the Board. If you are successful, you must become a member within 10 days. Candidates may attend the AGM; however, if they are not members, they cannot vote. In order to vote at the AGM as a new member you need to have your application in by June 16, 2023, at 4:00 pm.
How do I submit my nomination?
Please submit your nomination via email. Your nomination documents must be received electronically to be included in the member mailing and on the website.
Do you have a question that’s not answered here? Contact us at membership@torontohumanesociety.com.
