Canadian Down Syndrome Society Board of Directors

2019 – 2020 Board of Directors and Interim Executive Director

Back row:Paul Crowley (Vice Chair),  Jackie Charchuk (Secretary), Ben Tarr Middle row: Ed Casagrande (Chair), Elaine Willcock, Sean Wiltshire
Front row: Yelman Siddiqi (Treasurer), Laura LaChance (Interim Executive Director), Dewlyn Lobo, Christine McConnell, David Fischl

About the CDSS Board of Directors

The Canadian Down Syndrome Society Board of Directors is made up of volunteers from across Canada who are committed to the vision and mission of the society. Currently the Board is made up of ten individuals who have a personal or professional relationship to people with Down syndrome. Each year nominations are accepted for vacant Board positions and new Board members are elected at the Annual General Meeting.

The primary accountability of the Board is to the members of the CDSS. The Board will govern the organization utilizing available financial resources to ensure the best possible services for the membership.

In the fulfillment of its mandate as the governing body of the Canadian Down Syndrome Society, the Board of Directors will:

• Be accountable to the membership and to the community at large of persons with Down syndrome and their families for the accomplishment of its responsibilities.
• Conduct itself in an ethical and responsible manner.
• Ensure the financial viability of the society through active participation in fund development.
• Focus on the mission, vision and values of the organization.
• Educate itself regarding issues affecting the society in order to make informed decisions concerning the future of the organization.
• Establish policies to provide guidelines and limitations to staff, Board and volunteers in implementing the goals of the society as set by the Board.
• Work in collaboration with the Executive Director and administrative staff.
• Conduct itself as a deliberate decision-making body, speaking with one voice in matters which have been decided by the Board; and
• Discipline itself in matters such as attendance, compliance with Board policy, respect of roles, confidentiality and conflict of interest.
• Protect the society and its assets by considering risk and risk minimization when making decisions.

Expectations of Board Members

• The CDSS Board holds week end meetings in September and January. Weekday meetings are held in May in conjunction with the Annual National Conference which the Board participates in as volunteers, speakers, and networking with our Affiliates and local organizing committees. . Each year the location of the conference changes.
• Board Members actively participate on sub-committees of the Board during each term. Board Members may join the Executive Committee any time after the first year is served.
• Ongoing Board and Committee work and related conference calls are completed between in person meetings and requires a varying amount of time, commitment and self-direction.
• Board Members must be knowledgeable of responsibilities of a national non-profit organization.
• Board members must be aware of the needs of individuals living with Down Syndrome in all life stages including  issues related to education, medicine, and ethics, No individual will be an expert in all of these areas but a board as a whole must contain combined knowledge to address these ongoing issues. For this reason individuals with a variety of professional and personal skill sets are identified and desired.
• If a Board Member resigns prior to completion of the first two-year term, any travel costs refunded by CDSS must be reimbursed by the resigning Board Member.
• You do not have to be a member of the CDSS Board of Directors to participate in projects being developed by CDSS. If you have a particular interest or project that you would like to pursue please contact us to discuss your proposal. CDSS looks to its member groups and individuals for advice, expertise and potential partnering in various projects throughout the year.