Volunteer Board Member - Southern Chiefs` Organization

Winnipeg Sub-Office
105-1555 St. James St. Winnipeg, Manitoba R3H 1B5
Phone: (204) 946-1869 Fax: (204) 946-1871
Toll Free: 1-866-876-9701
www.scoinc.mb.ca
Head Office
Long Plain First Nation
Box 998
Portage La Prairie, MB
R1N 0P0
www.scoinc.mb.ca
Southern First Nations Network of Care
Call for Volunteer Board Members
The Southern Chiefs’ Organization Inc., as the designated appointing body, has opportunities
for volunteer board members for the Southern First Nations Network of Care Child and Family
Services Authority also known as the ‘Southern Authority’.
The Southern Authority is responsible for administering and providing for the delivery of child
and family services to people who are members of the First Nations of southern Manitoba or
who identify with those southern First Nations, and others, throughout the province of Manitoba.
The Southern Authority administers and provides funding to ten agencies that provide services
to 37 First Nations:
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Animikii Ozoson Child and Family Services
Anishinaabe Child and Family Services
Child and Family All Nations Coordinated Response Network
Dakota Ojibway Child and Family Services
Intertribal Child and Family Serivces
Peguis Child and Family Services
Sagkeeng Child and Family Services
Sandy Bay Child and Family Services
Southeast Child and Family Services
West Region Child and Family Services
To learn more about the Southern Authority, its agencies, programs and services, please visit
www.southernnetwork.org/.
The Board will consist of a maximum of nine members serving a term of three years with an
additional two seats designated for Elders. Five board members will be selected in year one
with an additional two board members selected in each following year. Consideration will be
given to the appointment of board members who reflect the diversity of southern First Nations’
membership and the communities served by the Authority’s agencies and the skills and
experience appropriate to the position.
Applications for board membership accepted until noon on Friday, March 27, 2015.
Candidates are asked to forward a resume with references to the attention of the Chief of
Staff, Southern Chiefs’ Organization, c/o [email protected]
Qualifications
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18 years of age or older
Southern First Nation Treaty member residing in Manitoba
Knowledge of / familiarity with Indigenous culture, traditions and language
Strong community service orientation
Connections / linkages to both the First Nation(s) served by the agencies of the
Southern Authority and to diversified categories or sectors such as academic
institutions, corporations / businesses, public relations / media, social services, etc.
Keen interest in the well-being of and the services provided to support Southern
Manitoba First Nations children and families
Committed to the objectives of the Southern First Nations Network of Care (Southern
Authority)
Balanced and diverse skill set / educational background not limited to child welfare –
expertise sought in administration / management, finance, resource development, law,
policy development, HR / personnel, etc.
Integrity, courage and high ethical standards
Excellent communications and interpersonal skills
Strategic problem solver with the ability or willingness to learn how to read and interpret
policies and legislation and critically evaluate them from a First Nations perspective
Financial and board governance knowledge and / or experience
Previous board and / or committee experience
Satisfactory completion of child abuse registry, criminal record and prior contact checks
Must not be prohibited from being appointed a director, in accordance with the Act
(CFSAA, S. 62)
Must be able to serve if appointed
Must be able to sign an oath of confidentiality and a conflict of interest declaration
Duties and Responsibilities
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Reporting to the Southern Chiefs’ Organization Chiefs Executive Committee, board
members must be willing and able to work and communicate with the Chiefs and Elders
of the Southern Chiefs’ Organization; the Chiefs of unaffiliated southern First Nations;
and the CEO of the Southern Authority to define its strategic direction, priorities and
successes
Willingness and ability to fulfill the duties of a director and accept formal responsibility for
strategic decision-making and the monitoring and evaluating of the Southern Authority
and its CEO as they work toward the defined strategic direction, priorities and
successes.
Willingness and ability to review, consider, discuss and decide in a fair and unbiased
manner on complex child and family matters such as those related to policies,
legislation, funding, standards, human resource practices, and by-laws.
Willingness and ability to play an important role in improving, enhancing and redefining
relationships with the southern First Nations and the provincial and federal governments
re services and supports to southern First Nations children and families.
Willingness and ability to respect other board members, act honestly and in good faith,
share power in the group process, delegate and work as part of a team, and exercise the
due caution, diligence and skill that a reasonable and prudent person would exercise in
comparable circumstances and carry out their responsibilities in accordance with the Act
(CFSAA, S.9).
Willingness and ability to adhere to a high degree of confidentiality and comply with the
conflict of interest provisions as set out or as may be amended.
Willingness to actively participate in board deliberations / meetings and to consider
participation on other committees to be established by the Board such as the Executive
Committee. Other Committees could include an Audit / Finance Committee, Quality /
Risk Management Committee and any other deemed necessary by the Board.
The Board is to meet regularly; quarterly at a minimum. Board members may also be
required to attend special board meetings that may be called, as needed. Board
members will be provided with honoraria and an expense allowance related to all board
and committee meetings including any meeting attended at the direction of the board in
accordance with established policy and guidelines.
Must commit to serve a three year term as a volunteer board member.
Board Member Eligibility Restrictions
Persons not eligible to be an Authority director based on existing and proposed conflict of
interest legislation and regulation under The Child and Family Services Authorities Act of
Manitoba:
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A member of the Legislative Assembly
A director of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc.
A director of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Secretariat Inc.
A director of the Southern Chiefs’ Organization Inc.
A director of the Manitoba Metis Federation Inc.
The director of Child and Family Services
A director, officer or employee of an agency
A spouse or common-law partner of a person referred to in the above clauses.
Board applicants should note that other restrictions for eligibility are under consideration and
subject to further consultations with Southern First Nations leadership in advance of any
amending of existing Southern Authority by-laws or Provincial legislation and regulations.