Now Recruiting Board Members!
Deadline: Apply by April 10, 2026
Shining a Light on Leadership and Community
A Message from Antoine Vezina, Board Chair
Serving on the Board of Directors of the YMCA of Northeastern Ontario is an opportunity to help shape the future of a charity that strengthens the lives of thousands across our region. As we continue our mission to support individuals and families in growing stronger in spirit, mind, and body, strong governance and committed leadership remain essential.
Our Board is made up of dedicated community leaders who share a commitment to strengthening our communities and contributing to the long‑term success of the YMCA. Together, we guide the strategic direction of the organization and ensure that it remains a welcoming, inclusive place where people of all ages and backgrounds can connect, grow, and thrive.
As we move into this next chapter, we are seeking new Board members who bring diverse perspectives and a strong commitment to supporting communities across Northeastern Ontario.
The YMCA is a cornerstone of well‑being and belonging across Northeastern Ontario—offering support, connection, and opportunities for people of all ages and at every stage of life. As a Board member, you will help steward this important work and ensure our YMCA continues to grow alongside the communities we serve.
Thank you for considering Board service with the YMCA of Northeastern Ontario. Your leadership can help shape a stronger future for our communities.
Antoine Vezina
Board Chair, YMCA of Northeastern Ontario
The YMCA of Northeastern Ontario is seeking passionate and community-driven leaders to join our Board of Directors, which ranges from 6 to 14 members, including our Chair, Vice-Chair, and Past Chair roles. As a strategic governance board, we focus on setting and overseeing the organization’s long-term direction, ensuring financial sustainability, and overseeing and monitoring risk management while upholding the YMCA’s charitable purpose and values. This is a volunteer role, offering an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on your community and help shape the future of the YMCA of Northeastern Ontario.
Who We’re Looking For
As we move forward with the implementation of our 2026–2028 Strategic Plan, the YMCA of Northeastern Ontario is seeking committed leaders who can help guide our organization into its next chapter. We are looking for individuals who bring skills in one or more of the following areas, aligned with our strategic direction and the evolving needs of our communities:
- Board Governance
- Business Management
- Communications Strategy & Public Narrative
- Cybersecurity & Technology Strategy
- Financial Expertise
- Government Relations
- Health Care
- Human Resources
- Indigenous Relations
- Legal
- Public Policy Development
- Real Estate & Asset Management
Click here to view the YMCA Strategic Plan.
Applications close April 10, 2026.
The YMCA of Northeastern Ontario is an equal-opportunity organization dedicated to maintaining a fair and equitable environment. All volunteers will be selected based on their abilities and qualifications.
We are committed to ensuring this application is accessible to everyone. If completing a digital form is a barrier for you, please reach out — we are happy to provide alternative formats or assist you through the process.
If at any point in the recruitment process you require a disability‑related accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department at hr@ymcaneo.ca so we can support your full participation.
Please note that successful candidates will be required to submit a current and satisfactory Police Record Check with Vulnerable Sector for review before beginning their volunteer role. Third-party record checks are not accepted.
Applicants must reside in one of the communities we serve (North Bay, Sudbury or Timmins).
Interested candidates are invited to submit their expression of interest in joining the Board of Directors by completing the form below.
Looking for More Information?
Board members provide leadership by:
- Setting and overseeing the strategic direction and priorities for the YMCA.
- Overseeing and monitoring risk management, financial sustainability, and governance.
- Ensuring compliance with by-laws, policies, and the Not-for-Profit Corporations Act.
- Supporting and evaluating the CEO in executing Board-approved strategies.
- Monitoring organizational performance to ensure alignment with strategic goals and community
impact. - Acting as ambassadors for the YMCA, fostering strong community relationships.
- Attend regular board meetings (approx. 4-5 per year) and actively participate in discussions.
- Directors serve one (1) initial term of two (2) years, followed by one (1) subsequent term of three (3) years. Directors elected as Chair may have their term extended to fulfill the obligations of the role.
- Participate in at least one Board sub-committee, which meets approximately 7-9 times per year. Sub-committees include Finance & Audit Committees, Governance & Nominating Committee, and CEO Performance Appraisal Committee.
- Complete necessary pre-work (approx. 1-2 hours) for Board and committee meetings to ensure informed decision making.
- Travel will be required, as in-person board meeting locations rotate through our communities —approximately three times per year, with 1–2 virtual meetings held during the winter months, including a Board Retreat focused on strategic planning and governance development. Travel expenses would be covered by the YMCA of Northeastern Ontario.
For additional information, please contact the YMCA at boardofdirectors@ymcaneo.ca.
Competency Descriptions
Experience with governance structures, policies, and practices that support effective board leadership and oversight. This competency may include prior board experience or governance education and helps strengthen policy development, board renewal, performance evaluation, and disciplined evidence informed decision making.
Ability to understand how organizations operate, including strategy, performance, risk, resource allocation, and service delivery. This competency helps the Board assess complex decisions, guide sustainable growth, and support effective organizational oversight operating across multiple communities.
Experience in strategic communications, media relations, and public narrative development, including understanding how messages are received by diverse audiences and how issues evolve in public discourse. This competency helps the Board anticipate how decisions may be perceived externally and supports effective oversight of organizational reputation, transparency, and community trust.
Strategic understanding of technology, cybersecurity, and data privacy risks, and how these factors influence organizational resilience. This competency supports the Board in overseeing technology modernization, digital risk management, and ensuring the organization’s digital infrastructure remains secure, adaptable, and aligned with long‑term needs as technologies and threats continue to evolve.
Demonstrates the ability to assess financial reports, long-term planning, budgets, and investment principles. Advanced knowledge may be supported by a CPA or equivalent professional designation, or senior executive experience (CFO/CEO) in financial accounting, reporting, and not-for-profits finance. Additional expertise in investment banking, economic forecasting, and market trends further strengthens the Board’s capacity to guide the YMCA’s financial health, capital strategy, and long-term sustainability.
Experience engaging with municipal, provincial or federal stakeholders to build partnerships, ability to navigate and secure public funding, and understand regulatory expectations—informing Board decisions on growth opportunities, capital asks, and timing. This competency supports informed Board discussions regarding partnerships, capital opportunities, and strategic timing related to government relationships.
Familiarity with community health, wellness, and prevention focused services, as well as the health system partnerships that support the YMCA’s work (for example hospitals, rehabilitation programs, and community health services). This competency equips the Board to identify community wellbeing priorities and evaluate the alignment of YMCA programs and partnerships with changing health needs.
Experience with organizational people practices, including performance management, leadership development, culture, compensation, workforce planning, and sustained succession and talent development programs. Advanced knowledge, including expertise in executive compensation, may require a professional designation. This skill strengthens the Board’s role in CEO oversight, performance evaluation, and ensuring the YMCA continues to invest in and support its people.
Knowledge and experience that support respectful and reciprocal relationships with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities. This competency includes awareness of Indigenous history in Canada, treaties, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, and the ability to approach partnerships with cultural awareness and a deep commitment to reconciliation.
Brings legal training or professional expertise relevant to nonprofit governance, including knowledge of contracts, liability, governance obligations, privacy, risk, and regulatory compliance. This competency supports informed Board oversight and sound decision making.
Brings experience in how government policies are created, influenced, and implemented, with sector specific knowledge in areas such as child care, recreation, employment services, immigration, and community wellbeing. This competency strengthens the Board’s ability to anticipate external policy shifts, assess their implications, and ensure decisions align with the broader public policy landscape affecting the YMCA.
Experience with property management, capital planning, asset lifecycle management, and facility strategy. This competency supports informed Board decisions related to renovating, building, leasing, partnering, or divesting facilities, while advancing long‑term capital sustainability and major infrastructure planning.