Thank you for your interest in joining our Board of Directors. Your participation on the Board will help to ensure that Alberta children with chronic or life‑threatening illnesses continue to receive life-changing wishes, given to them by our generous donors.

The Rainbow Society is always looking for Directors that will enhance our presence in the province and work to further our goals through networking, fundraising, and governance. 

Your Role as a Director

The Board is responsible for the highest level of decision-making and legal authority in the society. By law, the Board is ultimately accountable for, and has authority over, the society’s resources and activities.

Under ideal conditions, a diverse Board would be comprised of Directors that have experience in finance, business, health care, law, marketing, communications, networking, public relations, and fundraising.

In general, we ask that our Board promotes our organization’s:

• Purpose: Ensure the organization is carrying out its mission in a manner that is ethical, effective, and fiscally accountable.
• Continuity: Be responsible for the process of policy, including establishing, developing, implementing, and evaluating policies.
• Progress: Set the rate of progress that the organization will undertake in achieving its purpose or mission through programs.
• Identity, by securing the community support and appreciation for the society’s objectives, beliefs, vision, mission, and long-term direction.

Your Responsibilities as a Director:

• Working to achieve the stated purpose and objectives of the organization, including a 3 to 5-year strategic plan (in conjunction with the Executive Director);
• Helping to raise and manage funds through the Executive Director and the Fund Development Managers;
• Replying in a timely manner to the requests of employees of the Society;
• Advocating for the Society in the community;
• Approving budgets set forth and enacted by the Executive Director; and
• Orienting their replacement on the Board.

Your Commitment as a Board Member

By accepting a Board position, you in effect become one of our most important volunteers and are encouraged to be involved in a multitude of activities.
We require that our Board Members:

• Attend monthly board meetings in Edmonton either in person or via teleconference (excluding July and August).

A typical Board meeting consists of:

• Reviewing financial statements, budget forecasts, and other pertinent financial documents;
• Reviewing current Wish applications and collectively making Wish package decisions; and
• Presenting reports relating to individual portfolios outlining recent activity on behalf of the Society.

• Attend the Annual General Meeting in person in Edmonton each year, usually in April.
• Take an active role as a volunteer in regional fundraisers.
• Promote The Rainbow Society of Alberta to your contacts within the community including corporate partners, foundations, and other funding agencies, with an emphasis on developing corporate relationships to enhance revenue.
• Actively become involved and encourage support of the Society through your business colleagues, family, and friends.
• Be involved with at-home Wish applications with staff as scheduling allows.

Term Length

Our Directors serve a one-year term before letting their name stand for re‑election at the Annual General Meeting. Directors that are elected into vacant Board positions mid-year will have their appointment ratified by the membership at the next AGM, usually in April.

Please note that all Board candidates are required to sign a Board Member Agreement and submit the following immediately after their election to the Board in order to participate:

• A Volunteer Waiver;
• A Police Information Check; and
• An Alberta Intervention Record Check.