Non-profit board member

Role: Board Member (Volunteer)
Type: nonprofit board / unpaid
Organization: Society Promoting Environmental Conservation
Location: remote in Vancouver BC or anywhere in British Columbia

About Us

Since 1969, the Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC) has been part of Vancouver’s story of environmental action.

What began as a small group of citizens determined to protect the places they loved has grown into something broader, offering solutions in the areas of sustainable food systems, zero waste, and climate. Through decades of change, our purpose remains the same: to empower communities to act collectively on the environmental challenges of their time. We do this by equipping people with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities to live sustainably, and to foster inclusive and intergenerational community participation. Here are some links that can be of interest:

• Mission, Vision and Values
• Strategic Plan: 2026-2030
• History
• Latest Annual Report

Description

Board members assist in organizational planning and decision making, project development, fundraising and community outreach. Responsibilities and expectations include:

• Attend monthly board meetings (2 hours/month) and participate in online E-votes when necessary.
• Work on specific board related tasks in between board meetings to further SPEC's vision and mission, including participation in one or more committees (current committees include: Governance & HR / Programs & Impact / Fundraising & Communications / Zero Waste Committee / Elders Circle ).
• We are seeking board members who are aligned with SPEC’s efforts to integrate continual learning around diversity, equity and inclusion, and improve our organizational processes with these values in mind. SPEC is committed to this work as a core part of the organization’s development and is identified in our strategic plan. Board members will help create a safe and welcoming space for the SPEC community, as well as improve the way we serve communities across the region with equity at the centre of our approach.

Desired Qualifications

• Passion to drive change in the community.
• Board governance experience.
• Knowledge of environmental issues.
• Experience in project management.
• Experience working with volunteers.
• Experience working in a non-profit environment.
• Collaborative, respectful and constructive attitude.
• Commitment to SPEC’s mandate.

With a desire to develop a board that reflects the community we serve, we encourage applications from all qualified candidates, including Indigenous peoples, racialized persons/persons of colour, persons with disabilities, women, LGBTQ2S persons, and others.

Though the following is not a requirement to join the Board of Directors, we are especially looking for the following skillsets, expertise and perspectives:

• Human Resources: experience developing and implementing policies and building supportive systems for employees, contractors and volunteers.This would help support SPEC’s Board and our Executive Director in advancing and improving our processes
• Community building and partnership development expertise: experience and interest in helping SPEC develop partnerships with government, business and community organizations to increase the impact of our programs. Helping in this area would also enable us to build better financial sustainability into our programs.
• Fundraising: experience and interest in helping us strengthen our fundraising strategy and work. Supporting the Board and Executive Director in thinking how to attract more supporters and tell better stories of the work we do in the community.
• Youth perspective: we are looking to include young voices to our strategy discussions and program development. We serve a lot of young people through our programs and would really like to have you involved in our governance and strategic work as well!
• Legal expertise: knowledge and interest in the legal environment for non-profits and charities, to help the organization navigate existing and upcoming legal requirements and bring that lens to decision making.

Time Commitment

We estimate 6-10 hours/month are required for the position. This includes meeting times, emailing, outreach and planning work. The time commitment for this role is a minimum 2-year term.

How to Apply

Please submit an application via this link by Friday, September 25, 2026.

A cover letter is not required for this role. Instead, we ask applicants to complete a short screening questionnaire. We would rather receive short, unpolished answers from you than formal AI-written responses. Point-form responses are welcome. If you require accommodations or would prefer to respond in a different format, please let us know. Accommodations are available upon request at all stages of the recruitment and onboarding process. We understand that the ideal candidate may not meet every requirement listed. If you are enthusiastic about this role and bring relevant skills, lived experience, or transferable strengths, we encourage you to apply.

Contact: Ashleen Montgomery, SPEC’s Executive Director at admin@spec.bc.ca .

SPEC conducts our work on the unceded lands of Coast Salish peoples, specifically the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, who have stewarded these lands and waters since time out of mind. We continually work to recognize the ways in which we individually and as an organization uphold or oppose colonial systems of oppression and how we can do better. With respect, we understand that Indigenous rights and environmental stewardship are inextricably linked.

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