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Credit Institute of Canada

Criteria for Volunteer Nominees for Election as National Director

Preamble

An effective board, committed toa purpose and skilled in governance and guided by an effective vision, is perhaps the greatest asset of a not-for-profitorganization.Alltypes of boards must carefully choose board members based on their ability to govern. They must have skills related to the model of governance practiced in the organization. In more mature organizations, the full board becomes more involved in governance issues and less involved in the day-to-day operation of the organization. Board members’ actions and their relationship to the community can influence the success of your organization. (Source: The Muttart Foundation, January 2013)

Benefits for Volunteer Nominees

Here is a golden opportunity for nominees (active, semi-retired and retired) to pursue their personal focus, gain experience and personal growth; develop new skills and diverse opportunities; use their skills and knowledge in a meaningful way and generate goodwill; increase their knowledge capital; build their resume; enhance their professional development while earning professional development points; get a better look at how CIC operates; observe and participate in CIC’s evolution; reciprocate CIC for its programs and services used in the past; further the ideals both personally and of CIC; garner recognition by their employer for volunteer community involvement; engage in life-long learning thereby experiencing personal satisfaction and fulfilment; enrich their understanding of issues and societal needs; add life balance; participate in the democratic process of serving and contributing time, talent and resources for the good of the community.

Purpose

This document sets out the criteria sought in nominees who are interested in being elected to the National Board of Directors (“ND”) in accordance with the National bylaws “(bylaws”) in force at the time. Recruitment of nominees is open to all members of The Credit Institute of Canada (“CIC”). The method by which the recruitment process is engaged depends on the most effective and efficient methods available which may be revised from time to time while being compliant with the bylaws.

This guide is designed to identify the skills and attributes sought of NDs in order to successfully govern CIC now and in the future for the ultimate benefit of all its members and the community at large. While the requirements are firm as set out below, CIC seeks nominees who can provide as many of the skills and attributes as possible.

Requirements, Skills and Attributes

  1. Must be a CIC designate holder and a member in good standing of the relevant Chapter and National.
  2. Must be committed to uphold all the ideals of CIC, bylaws, fiduciary responsibilities under existing laws, code of ethics, guidelines on proprietary matters and conflict of interest, strategic and operational plans, governance guidelines, systems and procedures, as well as any and all other guidelines that exist now as well as newly developed guidelines, any of which may be amended by the Board from time to time. To add value to CIC.
  3. Must have the support of the nominee’s employer for the time and travel required as an ND.
  4. Must have the support of family for the time and travel required as an ND.
  5. Must be computer literate.
  6. Must be able to respond to inquiries submitted for Board approval within the shortest possible time.
  7. Must be able to commit to a one-year term of office at the minimum which covers the period from one National Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) to the next. Ideally, the preference is for the nominee to be able to commit to successive one-year terms of office which are subject to elections annually for the maximum period allowed in the bylaws in force at the time.
  8. Must be prepared to execute agreements pertaining to confidentiality and conflict of interest prior to carrying out the responsibilities of an ND.
  9. Ideally, nominees should have as many skills and attributes as possible, while not being limited to the following:
  10. Previous board experience with either CIC and/or other organizations is a preferred asset.
  11. Knowledge about CIC.
  12. General knowledge about parliamentary procedures.
  13. Dedicated, participatory, progressive, co-operative, team builder, professional and organized.
  14. Good leadership, governance, listening and communicationskills.
  15. Bilingual ability is an added asset.
  16. Nomineesare sought who are interested in and have the relevant and necessary skills for the following positions on the Board:
  17. Officer(four of them)–These positions arePresident & Dean, First and Second Vice President, and Treasurer. For the position of Treasurer, the nominee should be a designated CIC member who has previous experience serving on a not-for-profit board and has specialized financial education such as CGA, CMA or CA, providing the hard-copy evidence is submitted to CIC beforehand.
  18. Chair of the National Education Committee(a standing committee). Because of the comprehensive and specialized nature of this Committee’s mandate and the profound impact its recommendations can have on the overall success of students, it is highly preferable that the nomineeis interestedin, isfamiliar with and has a good understanding about credit education, the course materials and how best to deliver the courses to students.
  19. Chair of the National Membership Committee (a standing committee). Because of the comprehensive and specialized nature of this Committee’s mandate and the profound impact its recommendations can have on the overall success of growing the CIC membership base, it is highly preferable that the nominee is interested in, is familiar with and has a good understanding about membership issues.

Interested volunteers are encouraged to provide their biographical profile showing their name, mailing address, business and residence phone, email address, volunteer experience, career history including title and responsibilities in summary together with significant accomplishments and education. Provide your preference and comments about the Board position in which your skills are best suited.

Please submit your biographical profile and supporting information to your Chapter President by the target date as set out in the cover message that accompanied this document. By doing so, you understand and agree that your information will be transmitted to the National Executive Committee to assist it in succession planning for the Board.

This form was approved by the National Board of Directors on February 5, 2013 and it supersedes all previously approved forms.

RevisedJanuary 25, 2013