About OVIS Community Services

For more than three decades our organisation has been the primary provider of family and domestic violence services in the Peel region, initially as Pat Thomas House and more recently as OVIS Community Services (OVIS). Our new name and brand, launched in February 2020, embodies our purpose and the value we provide to our clients and the community - to Overcome Violence and Inspire Safety.

Our programs are delivered by compassionate professionals through four service streams. These include:

• Crisis accommodation and support services
• Early intervention services
• Post-crisis support
• Community education programs.

Skills and Experience Required

OVIS is seeking voluntary board members who have one or more of the following skills through their experience with large and small business, NFP entities, or the government sector: Fundraising, Philanthropy and Supporter Engagement, Legal, Governance, Marketing and Communications, Social media and Stakeholder relations (including government and community).

Board members are required to hold a recent National Police Record Check.

About the Board

The Board plays a key role in the governance of the organisation, serving as the guardian of the organisation’s mission and values while ensuring compliance and effective risk management.

As a Board member you will be responsible for:

• Organisational adherence to our constitution
• Supporting the development and execution of the organisational strategy to align with vision, mission and values
• Maintaining compliance with relevant statutory laws and regulations
• Ensuring strong financial management of our finances
• Supporting programs through direct involvement, fundraising and ambassadorship
• Consistent attendance and active engagement at Board meetings
• Timely engagement with online communications
• Sharing your knowledge and insights with the board and organisational leadership

Successful appointees will receive an induction, initial and refresher governance training.

About You

• A willingness to be an active contributor
• Passionate about reducing family and domestic violence in our community (lived experience highly regarded)
• Ideally from the Peel Region / Connected to the Peel Community
• Strives to work with courage and integrity
• A basic understanding of accounting and finance concepts for general board members
• Experience in non-profit governance or compliance (preferred but not essential)
• Networks useful to the development and growth of OVIS

About the Commitment

• A minimum 2-year term
• Active participation on at least one of the Board’s sub-committees
• The Board meets monthly on the fourth Wednesday at 5:30pm. Due to COVID-19 restrictions these meetings are currently conducted on an online platform.
• Board members must attend most meetings and contribute additional time to other activities including pre-reading, governance training, community events, sub-committee meetings, organisational activities etc. On average 8 hours per month, including meetings and important events.

Successful applicants will be offered a casual Board member position until the next AGM in November 2020 at which time they will have the option to nominate for a 2-year term.