Board of Directors
The Bow Valley SPCA is a not-for-profit Alberta society and is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. From time to time, we have vacancies on our Board. As a Bow Valley SPCA Director, you are a fiduciary and play a significant role in the oversight and direction of the organization, ensuring it follows its Mission and works to carry out its Vision: Our Vision & Mission. Each of our Directors has a demonstrated passion for animal welfare and a desire to Make A Difference for them and our community.
What is the Board of Directors?
The Board of Directors of the Bow Valley SPCA is considered a ‘working board’ which means that, in addition to being responsible for the governance of the organization, the Directors also take on activities that are directly involved in the operations of the organization. This is typical of smaller sized charities where it is determined that due to the scale of the operations and to save additional personnel costs, many operational tasks can be carried out by volunteers that have a sense of responsibility, and duty, to the organization such as the Board members. As a result, each Director is expected to either hold an executive position (President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary) with its own set of responsibilities or to assume a portfolio of operational responsibility. This also means that the time commitment expected from each Director may be more than a pure ‘governance’ board. Our directors typically spend 10-15 hours/month on Bow Valley SPCA activities, including attending and preparing for Board Meetings, held once per month (approx. 1.5-2hrs long).
What are the Roles?
Depending on the level of activities, the interest from our volunteer base and capacity of Directors, the following are the different portfolios, which are sometimes managed through a committee (of which the lead Director is the Chair) or are simply run by the Director with ad hoc input and assistance from the volunteer base or other Board members as required.
Click on each block to read more about the portfolios and roles:
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Executive Committee
The Executive Committee helps ensure the effective governance of the Bow Valley SPCA by providing timely guidance to the Adoption Centre Manager, the Administrator and/or the Committee Chairs on emerging, time-sensitive, and/or significant issues arising between meetings of the Board of Directors. The President, Vice President, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer and Secretary of the Board are all officers of the Society and serve on this committee. Each of these positions has a specific role set out by the Bylaws of the Bow Valley SPCA.
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Fund Development Committee
The Fund Development Committee supports the vision, mission, goals, and activities of the Bow Valley SPCA by assisting the Board in successfully raising the funds required to fulfill the Bow Valley SPCA’s annual budget and any capital project requirements. This Committee and the related fund development efforts are responsible for funding approximately 60% of the operating budget of the Bow Valley SPCA.
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Events Committee
The Events Committee plans the fundraising events calendar for the year to support the Bow Valley SPCA’s annual budget requirements (in coordination with the Fund Development Committee) and organizes and ensures each event is executed, with the support of the volunteers, staff and Board members. Approximately 10% of our annual budget is funded by community-based fundraising events under the oversight of this Committee. Depending on capacity and capabilities, the scope of this Committee can be managed as a Subcommittee of the Fund Development Committee or ad hoc by members of that Committee.
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Community Outreach Committee
The Community Outreach Committee is responsible for planning and carrying out activities to fulfill and expand the second prong of our Mission – “promote humane attitudes and responsible pet companionship through educational programs and community leadership”. The scope of activities is determined in coordination with any strategic plan from the Board and within any budget parameters set by the Board. Any funding for community outreach programs is intended to be provided through grants and sponsorships organized by the Committee.
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Programs Committee and Dog Team Lead
The Programs Committee is responsible for the planning and execution of all dog and cat programs offered to volunteers and the public from the Bow Valley SPCA, including all associated costs and revenues. The individual with this portfolio is required to have extensive experience with dog and cat behaviours and is the designated Board liaison for Adoption Centre staff on dog and cat behaviour and health matters. This role may be shared by two Board members.
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Volunteer Committee
The Volunteer Committee is responsible for ensuring the BVSPCA has sufficient, qualified volunteers to fulfill various volunteer assignments, as needed, through recruitment, the processing of applications, onboarding and maintaining the volunteer database. They are also responsible for providing volunteer communication and recognition. This committee also works collaboratively with the sub-committee Chairs and the Adoption Centre Manager to schedule volunteers for the various assignments that are needed for operations, events and community initiatives.
Current Opportunities
January 2024 Openings
We are currently seeking qualified community members to join the Bow Valley SPCA Board of Directors and expand our dedicated and passionate Board in the following leadership roles for a minimum 2-year term (and ideally longer). Specifically, we have imminent or upcoming vacancies with the following portfolio responsibilities and are seeking individuals with the relevant experience or expertise (as set out below) to perform these roles on the Board and lead the corresponding Committees (as applicable):
- Volunteer Chair – proven organization skills, the ability to plan & execute projects, strong relationship building skills, and effective collaboration skills. Also, experience with people management, and a comfortability working with different technology such as our volunteer management system and database are preferred
- Events Chair – experience with event planning and budgeting required, people management skills preferred
- Fund Development Chair –experience with donor-based fundraising, grants and business sponsorships and partnerships preferred
- Vice President - with an intention of transitioning to President in the near term (12 months) – business leadership experience and skills, people management skills, prior Board experience preferred; understanding of the organization as a volunteer or otherwise strongly preferred
Join our team and make an impact in our community, while helping save the lives of stray, surrendered and abandoned cats and dogs.