Application deadline: May 23, 2025
Location: Anywhere in Canada
NEW BOARD MEMBER RECRUITMENT
LEAF (the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund) is currently seeking four new members to join the organization’s Board of Directors; 3 positions for a three-year term beginning in September 2025, and 1 position for a one-year term beginning September 2025.
LEAF is a national not-for-profit and charity that advocates for gender equality, demonstrating tangible results year after year. LEAF focuses on litigation, law reform, and public education. In particular, we seek to advance the substantive equality of women, girls, trans, and non-binary people by challenging laws, policies, and practices that discriminate against equality guarantees enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, most notably sections 15 and 28.
Since 1985, LEAF has intervened in over 130 cases that have worked to advance equality in Canada. Our cases have resulted in landmark victories preventing violence against women and gender diverse people, eliminating discrimination in the workplace, allowing access to reproductive freedoms, and providing better maternity benefits, better spousal support, and the right to pay equity. Charter rights, in general, and section 15, in particular, have been tested and strengthened through the advocacy work of LEAF.
THE ROLE OF THE BOARD
The Board of Directors is the legal authority for LEAF. As a member of the Board, a Director acts in a position of trust for the community and is responsible for the effective governance of the organization. The Board of Directors is accountable to LEAF’s funders for the services outlined in any contribution agreements or contracts. Our Board works closely with the Executive Director in a governance and strategic, but non-operational, capacity.
The Board meets monthly (with the exception of July and August) and Board members are expected to attend all Board meetings and to join at least one committee (Fund Development, Governance, Finance and Audit, and Nominating). Board members are generally elected for a three-year mandate, which can be renewed once. Candidates may apply from across Canada, and meetings can be attended virtually or via phone. Being a board member requires a commitment of 5-10 hours per month.
IDEAL QUALITIES FOR THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE
LEAF invites community activists, lawyers, law students, academics, and anyone else who is passionate about gender equality in Canada to share your talents with us.
We are recruiting four candidates to strengthen the diversity of perspectives and lived experiences at the board level. In particular, we welcome applications from Black, Indigenous, racialized, trans and/or non-binary candidates, with experience and knowledge in either of the following areas:
- Board leadership, development, and governance
- Financial oversight (i.e. accounting, financial management)
LEAF is committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of those we serve. We encourage applications from women, trans, Two-Spirit, and/or non-binary applicants who are Black, Indigenous, racialized, disabled, and/or from other marginalized communities. LEAF also encourages those early in their careers to apply.
HOW TO APPLY
We invite interested applicants to complete and email the volunteer application form with your resume and a cover letter that speaks to what draws you to the work of LEAF and the unique perspectives you would bring to this board position to [email protected].
If a current Board member recommended that you apply, please indicate this on your application.
Please submit your application as soon as possible. The application deadline is 11:59pm ET, May 23, 2025.
Applicants selected for an interview will be contacted by May 30, 3025. Interviews will be conducted during the weeks of June 2 and June 9, 2025. Successful candidates will be notified by June 27, 2025 and will be recommended for election to the Board of Directors at our Annual Meeting of Members in September 2025.
LEAF Board of Directors Application Form (PDF)
LEAF Board of Directors Application Form (Word Document)
If you have any questions, please contact LEAF National at 416-595-7170 or [email protected].
Wherever possible, accommodations will be made available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.
