FIELD HOCKEY CANADA 2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS NOMINATION PROCESS

1. Field Hockey Canada Overview

Field Hockey Canada is the governing body for the sport in Canada, with over 8,000 participants from Junior to Masters’ level competing recreationally and competitively. The corporation was formed in 1991 with the amalgamation of two gender-based associations into one national entity. Today, from grassroots to high performance, Field Hockey Canada works to develop and strengthen the game across the country and position our National Teams for consistent podium contention.

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Field Hockey Canada is led by a Board of up to 11 Directors and a professional staff of 12 FTE. Field Hockey Canada seeks expertise and diversity, representative of the field hockey community and Canadian society, and is looking for interested and qualified candidates to help the corporation continue to grow and succeed.

Three (3) Director positions will be open in September 2022:

1. TWO Directors-at-Large (1-4 year term depending on by-law review which is ongoing)
2. ONE Women’s National Team Athlete Representative (2-year term)

Vision

Field Hockey Canada aspires to grow our sport, build our system and perform at all levels and in all environments.

Mission

To inspire, develop, perform, promote and govern exceptional positive  and fun field chokey experiences in Canada and to create and lead a world-class field hockey system that reaches all our communities across the country.

Values

• Integrity
• Fun
• Accountability
• Teamwork
• Respect
• Transparency

Strategic Priorities

Field Hockey Canada is in the third year of our 2020-2025 Strategic Plan, developed with input from Member Provincial Associations. The strategic priorities to 2025 are:

1. A Stronger Organization
2. A Stronger System
3. Stronger International Performance

2. Key Dates

3. Director Positions Open for Election

Interested and qualified candidates for the following roles are invited to follow the nomination process as outlined in this package. Three (3) Director positions will be open in September 2022. Directors are elected by the Field Hockey Canada provincial field hockey associations, which are the voting members.

1. Directors-at-large (1-4 year term depending on by-law review which is ongoing)

2. Women’s National Team Athlete Director (2-year term)

Director positions are voluntary and without compensation except for reimbursement of approved expenses.

4. Nomination Steps

As per Bylaw 14.2, Candidates for Director-at-Large positions must be supported by two of the provincial field hockey associations in their nomination submission.

The Men’s National Team Athlete Director nomination requires the support of no fewer than 3 Registered Participants who, at the time of the nomination, have been selected for one or more of the Men’s Junior and/or Senior National Teams within the past 12 months.

As per Bylaw 14.3 through 14.5, the Governance Committee will propose a slate of nominations which will be distributed to Member Associations by August 19, 2022. No nominations will be accepted at the Annual General Meeting. If more nominations are proposed than positions available, an election will be conducted by secret ballot at the Annual General Meeting.

5. Term Limits

In accordance with Bylaw 10.3, a Director may not serve more than 2 consecutive terms in the same position.

6. Director Eligibility Requirements

All candidates for Director must meet the eligibility requirements of the Canada Non-Profit Corporations Act, and Bylaw 10.4. Each candidate:

1. shall be 18 years of age or older;
2. shall have the power under law to contract;
3. shall not have been declared incapable by a court in Canada or in another country;
4. shall not have the status of bankrupt;
5. shall fulfill the requirements of the Income Tax Actin relation to serving as a Director with a registered charity;
6. an Athlete Director shall be currently, or have been formerly, selected for a Junior or a Senior National Team of the Corporation.

In addition, each candidate for Director must:

1. Undertake volunteer screening requirements as stipulated by Field Hockey Canada policies, including submission of a current Criminal Record Check (CRC) prior to September 10, 2022, and to be renewed every three years.
2. complete the online Safe Sport Module from the Coaching Association of Canada prior to September 10, 2022.

If elected, each Director must complete an FHC Annual Declaration ofConflicts of Interest, to be submitted prior to the first Board meeting of the year.

7. Board of Director Responsibilities

As per Bylaw 10.4, “Except as otherwise provided by the Act, the Articles or these Bylaws, the Board has the powers of the Corporation and may delegate any of its powers, duties and functions. The Board is responsible for developing and implementing plans, policies, procedures and rules to manage the affairs of the Corporation. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Board shall have responsibility to:

1. develop, implement and facilitate strategic plans, annual operating plans and performance measures;
2. promote and maintain policies pertaining to the vision, values and mission of the Corporation;
3. delegate authority and responsibility to Committees, and ensure that these entities fulfill responsibilities as delegated;
4. ensure that key governing documents, including the Articles, Bylaws, terms of reference and job descriptions, are current and sound;
5. develop and maintain relationships between and among the Board, Committees, staff and Members that will enhance the Corporation’s effectiveness;
6. manage disputes within the Corporation, including overseeing procedures for internal appeals and procedures for the facilitation, negotiation, mediation and arbitration of disputes; and
7. fulfill any other responsibilities specified in the policies of the Corporation or required bylaw”.

The Board focuses on providing strategic direction and setting priorities, develops supporting policies, provides oversight and undertakes organizational assessment.  Individually, Directors provide expertise and support to FHC’s leadership and act as Ambassadors for the corporation.

Management and operational authority is delegated to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The Board monitors and holds the CEO accountable for results and progress. Directors are not involved in day-to-day operations.

8. Commitment

The Board meets about every 4 to 6 weeks during the year, with a calendar of projected Board business presented at the first Board meeting. Meetings are primarily online using an electronic meeting format but may include face-to-face meetings. Directors typically spend about 15-20 hours per month in their role, including Board committee work.

Directors are expected to sit on at least 1 standing Committee of the Board:

• Governance Committee
• Finance and Audit Committee
• Human Resource Committee

9. Preferred Skills and Attributes

At this time, Field Hockey Canada is specifically seeking candidates with the following skills and expertise:

• Human Resource Management
• Marketing Experience
• Revenue Generation Experience

In addition, the following skills, knowledge and experience are welcome:

• Legal
• Professional accounting designation
• Not-for-profit governance
• Risk management and oversight
• Assessment
• diversity, equity and inclusion

10. Key Field Hockey Canada Information for Candidates

All key governance and policy documents are available on the Field Hockey Canada website. It is recommended that prospective candidates minimally review the following information prior to pursuing the nomination process:

• FHC Website for Program and Service information and updates
• FHC Bylaws
• FHC 2020-2025 Strategic Plan
• FHC Volunteer Management Policy
• FHC Screening Policy
• FHC Conflict of Interest Policy
• FHC Anti-Nepotism Policy
• FHC CEO Scope of Authority Policy
• FHC Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy

11. Completion of Candidate Information for Submission

Interested candidates are invited to complete a letter of interest covering the following topics:

• Field hockey community experience
• Current and previous work experience
• Current or previous board experience
• Adherence to the Field Hockey Canada mission and values
• See Part 4 for more nomination requirements

Assistance can be provided for candidates who are seeking the support of two Member Provincial Associations for Director-at-Large or three qualified Registered Participants for the Women’s National Team Athlete Representative.

Submit a letter of interest and send any of the below optional attachments to sahrens@fieldhockey.ca 

• Head & Shoulder Photo with the File Name: “FHC 2022 Director Nomination Photo – (your name)”
• Resume of no more than three pages with the File Name: “FHC 2022 Director Nomination Resume – (your name)”