Nominations Process for the CDSS Board of Directors

The Canadian Down Syndrome Society (CDSS) is seeking applications from CDSS members interested in assisting its Board of Directors to achieve its Vision. Two positions are available as of May 2012. Each position consists of a two-year term with eligibility for up to five terms. The Nominating Committee will review the composition of the current Board, the skills of outgoing Board Members, and will identify areas of need to be met by incoming Board Members. This could be in relation to a nominee’s profession, geographic location, skill sets and interests.

Nomination Process:

• Nominations must be submitted to the Nominating Committee at the CDSS National Office in Calgary, by January 31, 2012.
• Your name must be submitted in writing, either by yourself or someone else.
• You must be a current member of CDSS and be prepared to endorse and uphold the Vision and Mission of the Society.
• Letters of Reference from two other CDSS members must accompany your nomination. Upon receipt of a complete nomination, the Nominating Committee will forward a questionnaire to you for completion. This will confirm your agreement to the nomination.
• Following the collection and review of the nominee’s information by the Nominating Committee, two members of the Nominating Committee will hold interviews (typically conducted by conference call) with the nominee.
• Based on the information gathered, and the predetermined needs of the Board, the Nominating Committee will recommend to the CDSS Board the slate of potential nominees for that year. The slate of nominees will be printed in the spring issue of the CDSS Quarterly, for ratification at the Annual General Meeting (AGM).
• All nominees will be contacted by the Nominating Committee and informed of the status of their nomination.

Expectations of Board Members:

• A Board Member’s elected term is two years, to a maximum of five terms (10 years).
• Each year the CDSS Board meets for two days (weekend) in the fall, two days (weekend) in January, and two days in May just ahead of the Annual National Conference in which the Board is also expected to participate. This year, those listed on the slate of nominees will be expected to attend the meetings of the CDSS Board that occur prior to and during the Annual National Conference in Toronto from May 17-21, 2012.
• It is expected that each Board Member will actively participate on at least two Committees of the Board during each term.
• Ongoing Board and Committee work is completed between meetings and requires a varying amount of time, and high levels of Board Member commitment and self-direction.
• Board Members must be prepared to address the fiduciary responsibilities required of a national organization, such as budget, fundraising, public awareness, and legal issues.
• Board Members do not participate on the CDSS Board of Directors as a representative of a local Down syndrome or Affiliate Association. Successful nominees are expected to be prepared to address the all-encompassing realm of issues that may affect individuals with Down syndrome whether those individuals are infants, children or adults, as well as issues related to education, medicine, and ethics, regardless of the city or province in which the nominee lives. It is also recognized that no one individual will be an expert in all of these areas and that is why individuals with many professional and other skill sets are identified and desired.
• CDSS will cover a Board Member’s reasonable costs of travel and accommodation for attending Board Meetings and/or other work of the Board. These arrangements will either be made by the CDSS office, or costs incurred will be reimbursed to the Board Member directly. If a Board Member resigns his or her position prior to completion of the first two-year term, any travel costs incurred by CDSS for that Board Member to attend Board Meetings during that term will be reimbursed to CDSS by the resigning Board Member.

You do not have to be a member of the CDSS Board of Directors to participate in projects being developed by CDSS. If you have a particular interest or project that you would like to develop or work on, approach the Board Chair, Executive Director or any other Board Member to discuss the proposal. CDSS looks to its member groups and individuals for advice, expertise and potential partnering in various projects throughout the year.

Inquiries and comments can be sent to