Apply to join StopGap’s Board of Directors!

StopGap Board Recruitment

StopGap Foundation is recruiting for 5 roles for its Board of Directors: 1 Chair, 1 Treasurer and 3 Members at Large.

The start date for all roles is March 1, 2023.

The selection process will make use of video conferencing as well as telephone and may include a multi-stage interview process. While we appreciate the interest of all applicants, we can only communicate with those shortlisted for an interview.

The application deadline is January 29, 2023 and interested candidates can apply here.

About StopGap

StopGap Foundation was registered as a Canadian charity in October 2013 but its roots date back to the Fall of 2011. What began as a small one-off project in Toronto has turned into a global MOVEMENT! We’ve learned a lot since we first started and have developed some exciting programs that help raise awareness about barriers in our built environment and engage communities to work towards removing these barriers.

Our main office is at the Centre for Social Innovation, which is based in T’karonto, the Ancestral Wendat territory and the shared territory of the Anishinaabeg and the Haudenosaunee, covered by The Dish With One Spoon treaty, and later, Treaty 13 signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit, and the Williams Treaties signed with multiple Mississaugas and Chippewa bands.

StopGap’s Mission

Helping communities discover the benefit of barrier-free spaces and providing support to create them.

StopGap’s Vision

StopGap Foundation aims to create a world where every person can access every space. A world free of barriers would help give everyone the opportunity to live a life full of independence, spontaneity, and ultimate fulfillment.

StopGap’s Core Values

Fun: bringing a lighter tone to our work in helping address a serious issue.
Community: creating harmony in communities by engaging groups of people who would not typically work together.
Inclusion: having reverence for everyone’s abilities.
Empowerment: enabling independence and spontaneity through sharing knowledge and resources.
Inspire: celebrating successes and inviting other communities to participate.

About the Board

The Board is the governing body of StopGap that provides strategic foresight and accountability structures to ensure the organization’s success, stability and viability, involving staff in strategic planning. We employ a hybrid model through which the Board provides both strategic advice, but also serves as a limited working Board, where Directors have specialized expertise that can be leveraged by the organization’s executive.

The organization’s staff is deeply passionate, high energy and hard-working people. We are seeking up to five new Directors who are able to commit to at least a two-year term.

Board members will be expected to attend quarterly Board Meetings and the Annual General Meeting which usually takes place in the spring. The monthly time commitment for attending meetings, reviewing meeting documentation and conducting committee work is typically 4 to 6 hours.

Directors will also be expected to provide occasional advice and assistance to management between meetings as related to their unique skill-set and expertise, as well as participate in the organization’s fundraising efforts.

Board Opportunities

We are looking to expand our Board of Directors and are intending to recruit up to 5 new members by the end of the year:

Board Chair
Board Treasurer
Member at Large
Member at Large
Member at Large

For each of these roles, the ideal candidates for this opportunity will have one or more of the following qualifications:

Lived or Professional experience with a disability.
Prior Board experience in the non-profit/charitable sector…
A commitment to the mission of StopGap.
Comfort contributing to group meetings, including those facilitated virtually; email and phone.
Availability to meet no less than quarterly, with some committee work between meetings.
Enthusiasm to champion the organization within your networks and communities.
Expertise in one or more of the following areas:
- communications, marketing or media relations
- employment, charitable or related law
- charitable or foundation fundraising
- business development
- finance or accounting

The role of Board Chair comes with additional responsibilities

Motivating other members to actively participate in and attend meetings.
Ensuring the actions taken are in line with the organization’s bylaws, goals, and mission.
Providing insight as needed and ensuring other members are on the appropriate committees and projects.
Leading fundraising efforts by example with active participation.
Representing the organization when speaking to the press, media, or other groups.
Mediating personality conflicts and disputes between board members.

The role of Board Treasurer comes with additional responsibilities

General financial oversight.
Oversee and present budgets, accounts and financial statements.
Work with the Executive Director to produce financial reporting for the Board, auditors and key stakeholders.
Work with the Executive Director to ensure effective banking, book-keeping and record-keeping practices are being carried out.

Application Process

Interested parties are encouraged to apply here.

StopGap encourages applications from all qualified candidates that represent the full diversity of communities in Canada, including complexities of intersecting identities such as ability, class, gender, race and sexual orientation. We are particularly interested in receiving applications from equity-deserving communities, including those who identify as: Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), Black, a person of colour, newcomer, Disabled, Deaf and LGBTQQIP2SAA+.

If you require accommodations to apply for this opportunity, please send an email with “StopGap Board App Accommodations” in the subject line to board@stopgap.ca.

Thank you for your interest!