Call for a Volunteer Board Member at CMHA Ottawa

Call for a Volunteer Board Member 2026 – 2029 Canadian Mental Health Association (Ottawa Branch)

About CMHA Ottawa The Canadian Mental Health Association, Ottawa Branch (CMHA Ottawa), is a community-based non-profit organization that supports individuals living with serious mental health challenges and substance use issues. Many of the people we serve are also experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Through evidence-based and recovery-oriented services, CMHA Ottawa works to improve access to care, strengthen community supports, and promote long-term wellbeing.

Board Recruitment Opportunity CMHA Ottawa is seeking two to three volunteer Directors to join its Board of Directors for a three-year term from June 2026 to June 2029. Successful candidates will be presented for confirmation at the Annual General Meeting in June 2026.

This recruitment is intentionally targeted. Based on a recent Board skills assessment and upcoming Board transitions, the Nominations & Recruitment Committee has identified specific priority areas where additional expertise is needed to strengthen Board governance and oversight.

Priority Areas of Expertise The Board is primarily seeking candidates with experience in the following areas, listed in order of priority:

Quality and Performance Management Experience in organizational performance oversight, outcomes measurement, continuous quality improvement, accreditation processes, or governance-level monitoring of effectiveness and results. Candidates who bring a strong understanding of how Boards use data, indicators, and evidence to support accountability and strategic decision-making are of particular interest.

Legal Expertise Experience in law relevant to nonprofit or public sector governance, including areas such as regulatory compliance, risk management, privacy, policy interpretation, or fiduciary responsibility. The Board is seeking to strengthen legal governance capacity and ensure appropriate depth and continuity of legal expertise at the Board table.

Mental Health Services Professional or system-level experience in mental health services, policy, delivery, or lived-experience-informed leadership. As Board Members with deep sector experience are completing their terms, reinforcing this perspective remains an important consideration in this recruitment.

Additional Considerations In addition to the priority expertise outlined above, CMHA Ottawa is committed to strengthening Board composition through:

Francophone representation, to support bilingual governance and reflect the linguistic diversity of the community served.

Cultural Diversity and Other Familial Cultural Diversity, to enhance the Board’s understanding of diverse community experiences and perspectives.

Digital, technology, or innovation experience in health, social services, or nonprofit environments may be considered an asset, though it is not a primary focus for this recruitment cycle.

Role of the Board The Board of Directors is policy-focused and operates under a results-based governance model. Directors are responsible for setting strategic direction, establishing governance policies, overseeing organizational performance, and ensuring accountability to the community served. Board Members do not participate in day-to-day operations.

Board Members are expected to attend meetings regularly, prepare in advance, participate constructively in discussions, serve on Committees or Working Groups as required, uphold confidentiality and conflict-of-interest standards, and act in the best interests of the organization.

Time Commitment The Board meets approximately nine times per year, typically once per month in the evening, with no meetings in July, August, or December. Meetings are generally two to three hours in length and are primarily in person, with virtual participation available when required. Committee or Working Group meetings are held virtually, usually once per month, and last approximately one hour.

Office Location Suite 301, 311 McArthur Ave., Ottawa, ON

Screening Requirements Selected candidates will be required to complete a criminal record check and vulnerable sector check, as well as annual governance and conflict-of-interest attestations, consistent with Board policy.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Anti-Racism CMHA Ottawa is committed to building a Board that reflects the diversity of the community it serves. Applications are encouraged from individuals of all backgrounds, including people from diverse cultural and linguistic communities, persons with disabilities, individuals with lived experience of mental health or substance use challenges, family members, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, and Indigenous Peoples.

Accommodations are available at all stages of the recruitment process upon request.

How to Apply Interested candidates are invited to submit a resume to:

Eric Lalonde Canadian Mental Health Association – Ottawa Branch elalonde@cmhaottawa.ca Closing date: May 29th, 2026, at 3:00PM (EDT)

The posting will remain open until late May 2026 or until suitable candidates are identified.

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

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