CALL FOR NOMINATIONS - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Water Polo Canada is extending an invitation for nominations to all individuals interested in serving on the Board of Directors.
The Water Polo Canada Board of Directors oversees the policies of the Association, the budget, produces a strategic plan for the Association and reviews that plan regularly to ensure that its objectives are being met. The Water Polo Canada Board conducts itself in a businesslike fashion. Individuals who apply for a Board position should be aware that it is a policy governance Board and Directors and they will be expected to be responsible for or participate in certain portfolios.
The calendar leading to the elections, as stated by Water Polo Canada’s Bylaws:
- Wednesday, July 26, 2023: Call for nominations
- Friday, August 25, 2023: Deadline for nominations
- Saturday, September 9, 2023: Publication of the nomination list
- Sunday, September 24, 2023: Elections at AGM
NOMINATION PROCEDURE
- At least sixty (60) days prior to the AGM, the Board shall issue a written call for nominations for the positions of Director.
- The call for nominations shall be sent to all members of the Board and to each affiliated Provincial/Territorial Section.
- Nominations for the position of Director shall be received in writing by the Standing Nominations Committee at least 30 days prior to the AGM.
- Fifteen (15) days prior to the AGM, WPC shall deliver a copy of the nominations received to members of the Board and to each affiliated Provincial/Territorial Section.
The 2023 Nominating Committee members:
- Josée Lanouette, WPC Director
- Erin Lukie, WPC Director
- Hélène Tournier, WPC Director
- Matt McCormack, President of Alberta Water Polo Association
The Board as it stands today is composed of the following individuals:
| Name | Title | Term Ends |
| Kathleen Dawson (MB) | President | 2024 |
| Josée Lanouette (QC) | Vice-President | 2024 |
| Nic Youngblud (AB) | Director | 2024 |
| Hélène Tournier (ON) | Director | 2024 |
| Kyam Schell-Schnitzer (ON) | Director | 2024 |
| Bill Meyer (ON) | Director | 2023* |
| Jared Gillespie (ON) | Director | 2023* |
| Erin Lukie (AB) | Director | 2023* |
| Oleg Stratiev (USA) | Director | 2023* |
| Catherine Code (ON) | Director | 2023* |
There are 5 director positions (*) open.
WPC’s Board functions best when there is gender equity and Canada-wide representation. WPC encourages qualified applicants to apply from areas currently not represented. Furthermore, the Board is strongest and most effective when each Director contributes knowledge, experience, and skills in one or more of the following core competencies:
- Legal background
- Audit and Finance
- Governance (board experience)
- Risk Management
- Business Development
- Strategic Planning
- Marketing and Communication
- Fundraising
- Policy Writing
- Human Resources
- Knowledge of water polo and the Canadian sport system is an asset
Above all, Directors must understand the duties and responsibilities of a Board of Directors. Directors should, ideally, be financially literate and be familiar with processes involved in evaluating organizational performance.
Water Polo Canada’s 2022-2023 Board is 50% female. Sport Canada’s Sport Funding and Accountability Framework (general criteria #13 Equity and Access) states, among other things, that a National Governing Body’s Board should be 40% female; therefore, it is Water Polo Canada’s intent to search for qualified candidates to help comply with these criteria. Water Polo Canada is making a special call to female candidates to send in their nominations to ensure that the Board maintains its 40% female composition or above. We also welcome new Canadians and those who come from diverse backgrounds and who have the above-mentionedqualifications and are interested in developing their Canadian experience with a network of leaders who share a common passion to help sport and youth reach their potential.
Below is an outline of the Board’s roles and responsibilities:
1. General Board Responsibilities
- Ensure ethical conduct of the organization
- Ensure financial responsibility and viability of the organization
- Articulate and communicate the vision and priorities
- Manage the relationship with senior staff
- Monitor the ongoing progress of the organization
- Maintain overall stewardship and governance of the organization
2. Responsibilities of Board Members
- Attend Board meetings
- Attend other meetings as required
- Attend competitions in local area
- Complete tasks as required from minutes of meetings and other committee tasks
3. Time Commitment (Directors)
- Attendance at the AGM each year (Friday to Sunday inclusive)
- Monthly Board meetings (2-3-hour conference call on a weekday night)
- At least 5 - 10 hours per month depending on other roles
- Term of office is two years
4. Time Commitment (President)
- All of the Director’s time commitments plus 10+ hours a week
- Attend occasional meetings usually in Ottawa, Montreal, or Calgary
5. Benefits
- An opportunity to actively work with an engaging network of individuals who are passionate about the sport of water polo in Canada
- An opportunity for personal and professional development
- To actively contribute to Canada being a leader in High Performance, in the growth of water polo and in organizational excellence
- An opportunity to actively contribute to Canada becoming the number one water polo nation and be part of a special sport community.
Each nomination
- Must be submitted in writing
- Must include a motivation letter including areas of expertise/interest and how this skill set will contribute to the achievement of the strategic objectives of the organization.
- A declaration of the presence or absence of a conflict of
- Must include a résumé with at least one
The nominees must declare any conflicts they may have as stated by WPC’s Conflict of Interest Policy. Potential conflicts include having a relative on one of the National Team Programs and/or being a PSO Board memberand/or being a Club Board member. All elected Board members must adhere to the Board Member Code of Conduct.
Interested candidates shall send their nominations to the Chair of the Water Polo Canada Nominations Committee no later than August 25th, 2023. Please send nominations to the following email address: nominations@waterpolo.ca.
Should you have any questions regarding the Board of Directors and/or the nomination of individuals for this Board, please feel free to contact any member of the committee at nominations@waterpolo.ca.
Thank you for your diligent attention to this important matter for our organization.
Sincerely,
Josée Lanouette
Chair of the Nominations Committee Water Polo Canada
