Non-profit board members

Role: Board Director
Type: non-profit board / unpaid
Organization: Toronto Home Energy Network
Location: Board members should be residents of Toronto or have strong ties to the Toronto community

About the Role

Toronto Home Energy Network (THE Network) is recruiting up to two at-large members to join our Board of Directors.

We are looking for people who want to help Toronto homeowners reduce their energy use and carbon emissions. New directors will bring additional skills and perspectives to the Board and help strengthen the organization as it grows.

This is a working board. Directors help set THE Network’s direction, but they also contribute directly by chairing committees, building relationships and taking on projects.

We are recruiting for two types of experience, described below. You do not need to fit both profiles. In your cover letter, tell us which role you are applying for.

About THE Network

THE Network is a grassroots, volunteer-driven organization dedicated to reducing carbon emissions from Toronto's homes. Launched in 2023 by the leadership team behind the Pocket Change Project, we use a proven approach, collaborating with community groups across Toronto and a network of partners to provide homeowners with peer support and expert personalized assistance as they plan and implement their home's decarbonization. With single-family homes causing nearly one-fifth of Toronto's emissions, electrifying these homes is essential to achieving the city's goal of net-zero community-wide emissions by 2040.

Key Responsibilities

Board members are expected to:

• Attend monthly Board meetings and occasional events
• Take part in Board business through an officer role or committee work
• Oversee THE Network’s strategy, finances and policies
• Support fundraising based on their skills, experience and relationships
• Represent THE Network with funders, partners and community groups

What We’re Looking For

We welcome applications from candidates who:

• Are committed to THE Network's mission of reducing home carbon emissions
• Are residents of Toronto or have strong ties to the Toronto community
• Have prior non-profit and/or board experience (preferred but not required)

Beyond that, we are recruiting for two distinct profiles.

Profile 1: Fundraising and/or Governance

Seed funding allowed THE Network to get started. We have applied for charitable status and expect a decision this fall. Charitable status would allow us to pursue foundation grants and individual donations that are not currently available to us.

Our next task is to build reliable, longer-term funding and put the right governance in place to manage it.

You may bring experience in fundraising, governance or both. Please explain your area of experience in your cover letter.

Experience

Strength in one or both of the following areas:

• Fundraising: Experience with corporate sponsorships, foundations, major gifts, community fundraising or government grants. A Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation is an asset but is not required.
• Non-profit governance: Experience as a board or committee member, or as a senior staff member who has worked closely with a board. You should also be interested in how boards can govern effectively.

Skills

• Able to make a clear and persuasive case to funders and donors
• Comfortable making introductions and maintaining relationships
• Good judgment on governance and financial oversight
• Collaborative and open to feedback from volunteers and homeowners

Profile 2: Operations Director (interim)

This is a Board position with a temporary operating role attached.

For roughly the first six to nine months, you would help manage some of THE Network’s day-to-day operations while we build staff and volunteer capacity.

The operating role is temporary, but the Board position is not. You would serve a full three-year term and remain on the Board after the operating work ends.

Experience

• Experience managing an organization, program or team in any sector
• Familiarity with volunteer management or community program coordination
• Experience creating processes and tools that volunteers can use independently is an asset

Skills

• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Strong interpersonal or volunteer management skills
• Clear and approachable written and verbal communication
• Able to manage several tasks independently
• Comfortable working with limited resources and changing priorities

Time Commitment

The Board meets once a month, usually in person, at a time that works for the group. A virtual option is available when needed.

Board members serve three-year terms and may renew for one additional consecutive term. In addition to Board meetings and occasional events, directors are expected to take on an officer role or contribute through committee work. Directors are also encouraged, but not required, to take part in THE Network’s community activities.

The interim operations director should expect a larger time commitment during the first six to nine months. We will discuss the expected workload during the interview process.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

THE Network is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture in all areas of our organization. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences.

To Apply

Please send a resume and brief cover letter describing your interest to hr@thenetwork.to, HR@thenetwork.to . In your cover letter, please indicate which of the two profiles above you are applying for.

We're reviewing applications as they come in and scheduling interviews as we go. This posting will be removed once the positions are filled, so we encourage you to apply right away.

If you're interested but not ready to take on these board positions, we would still like to hear from you! Please review our available volunteer opportunities and apply if you feel you are a good fit.

We thank all candidates for their interest, though we will contact only those selected for an interview.

Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.