Board of Directors — Call for Director Nominees
Position: Director, London Cycle Link Board of Directors
Start: January 18, 2023
Term: 3 years; renewable for a second term, for a total of 6 years maximum
Commitment: 5-10 hours/month
Overview
London Cycle Link is a member-based not-for-profit organisation founded in 2013, that works to make cycling in London a safe, enjoyable, accessible and convenient transportation choice year-round. Our staff, board and volunteers work with local government, organizations, schools, businesses and residents to encourage cycling and bring about cycling-positive development in our city.
Our organization includes both Squeaky Wheel Bike Co-op, a DIY community bike shop where we teach you to fix your own bike, and the Ride to Thrive education program, where students are taught to ride safely and confidently on the road.
London Cycle Link is governed by a Board of Directors. We are currently looking to fill up to seven (7) open directorships at our 2023 Annual General Meeting (Jan.18, 2023). The Board of Directors provides governance, leadership, oversight, feedback and ideas to our staff and operations. As a working board, the roles of a Director include:
Participating in the governance and oversight of the organization, including financial oversight, policy compliance reviews, policy or human resources tasks.
Participating in the operations of the organization by being an active member of a London Cycle Link committee or task force, or by leading a special initiative.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a seat on the Board of Directors, an individual must (as per our bylaws):
Be at least 18 years of age
Not have a bankruptcy that is undischarged
Be or become a London Cycle Link/Squeaky Wheel Bike Co-op member in good standing
Have the written support of at least one London Cycle Link member
How many director positions are open?
Up to seven: we are required to have between five and eleven members on the Board. We have four vacancies, two members finishing their terms, and one stepping down. Four other directors will be continuing. We are mandated to strive for gender parity and geographic representation, so we are looking in particular for women/trans/non-binary members, and members from neighbourhoods outside of Old London (i.e. Old North/South/East).
Qualifications
We are looking for enthusiastic individuals with the following qualifications, skills and experience:
Lived experience and interest in cycling and active transportation
Board of Directors experience — either non-profit/charity or for-profit
Communications/marketing
Community affiliation (e.g. connections with neighborhood associations, other non-profits, related business or projects)
Event planning and fundraising
Policy writing
Information technology
Law
Strategic and business planning
Social enterprise development
Applying for grants or charitable status
Political advocacy/strategy
Other relevant experience
For many Directors, this is their first time on a board, and a great place to learn.
Serving as a Director is a serious commitment with the following expectations:
Attend and participate in regular Board meetings (two hours each month).
Stay in contact between meetings through our internal communication platform (Basecamp) and email.
Actively participate in at least one committee or initiative (Advocacy, Squeaky Wheel Bike Co-op, and Ride to Thrive Education committees meet monthly; other initiatives may include communications, IT, finance, event planning, outreach, policy and governance).
Attend at least one London Cycle Link event per year (e.g. bike valet, Bike Month event, workshop, group ride or social event).
Applicants who are running for a position on the Board will be expected to attend our Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday, Jan.18, 2023 (location TBD). Those in attendance will vote on a proposed slate of candidates at the AGM, either in-person or by proxy (that is, members may authorize other members to cast a ballot on their behalf at the AGM). Those who are elected will be asked to say a few words at the AGM. Board onboarding training will be provided.
What if I am nervous about running in an election?
It can be stressful to put your name out there to people you may not know. The current board have all been through this.
Deciding to nominate yourself is only the first step. Once you have submitted your nomination, you are encouraged to be in touch with us, ask questions, and get to understand the role, the organization and the board’s needs better. You can then make a final decision about whether to run. Don’t let nerves be a reason not to fill out the nomination form!
For many people, this is their first experience on a nonprofit board; we invest time to bring everyone up to speed and offer a range of responsibility and commitment levels.
What if I am interested in this work but don’t want to run for the Board?
If you are interested in working with us, but are not interested in running for the Board, consider joining us as a volunteer. Please visit our website (www.londoncyclelink.ca/volunteer) for more information about those opportunities.
Diversity
London Cycle Link is committed to recruiting, nominating and supporting candidates for the Board that reflect the diversity of London at large. In addition to geographic representation and gender balance, we encourage individuals from under-represented groups to apply: racialized groups, Indigenous people, people with disabilities, religious minorities, people of diverse social classes, people with diverse gender identities and/or sexual orientations, and new Canadians.
To apply
Submit an application through our online Nomination Form by Wednesday, Dec.14, 2022.
Attend our AGM on Wednesday, Jan.18, 2023, or contact us at chair@londoncyclelink.ca ahead of time if you are not able to make this event.
If you have any questions about the application process, or the Board itself, please contact us at info@londoncyclelink.ca. We thank you for your interest and support!