General Description of a CAS Board Member
The responsibility of providing a high standard of service to the membership of CAS is not one to be accepted casually. Prospective candidates should be familiar with CAS, its relationship to Member Groups, its mandate and operating structure. All Board members are expected to assist in the mentorship and support of the PLWHIV Youth Director. Some preferred qualities of a Director would include:
- knowledge of CAS activities and the commitment to keep current with developments regarding AIDS
- commitment to community consultation
- political astuteness
- reliability
- good people skills, works well in a team, communication skills and understanding of group dynamics
- patience
- courage and humour
- bilingualism is an asset as the Board and CAS operate in both official languages
- although it is not necessary, it would be helpful if you had the support of your employer. Your work on the CAS Board will amount to 10-15 working days plus 3-4 weekends a year along with travelling to Board Meetings, Committee Meetings, being called at work, etc.
Board Nomination Form: 2017-Annual Meeting-CAS-Board-Nomination-Form
Regional Director Position Description
Regional Directors of the Canadian AIDS Society agree to the general conditions of workload, lines of reporting, duration of appointment, time and travel commitment, roles and responsibilities of all other CAS Board members.
In addition, Regional Directors:
- Assume primary responsibility for communicating with and representing the concerns and issues of all CAS Member Groups within their particular region
- Are jointly responsible, along with the Regional PLWHIV Directors, for communicating and representing the concerns and issues of the PLWHIV community within their particular region’s CAS Member Groups
- Are accountable to the issues of their Regional Member Groups and Caucuses at the Annual Meeting
- May be required to chair sessions of their Regional Caucuses
- Assume an effort in communicating with all AIDS service organizations, health care organizations, and youth-based groups in their region for feedback on what is being done by/for Youth Living with HIV (YLWHIV), affected youth and youth at risk; in which to inform the PLWHIV Youth Director.
Regional PLWHIV Director Position Description
Regional PLWHIV Directors of the Canadian AIDS Society agree to the general conditions of workload, lines of reporting, duration of appointment, time and travel commitment, roles and responsibilities of all other CAS Board members.
In addition, Regional PLWHIV Directors:
- Assume primary responsibility for communicating with and representing the concerns and issues of the PLWHIV community within their particular region’s CAS Member Groups
- Are jointly responsible, along with the Regional Director, for communicating with and representing the concerns and issues of all member groups within their particular region’s CAS Member Groups
- Are expected to participate in the work and planning activities of the CAS Board PLWHIV Committee
- Are accountable to the issues of the CAS PLWHIV Caucus at the Annual Meeting
- Are required to chair sessions particularly related to the PLWHIV community within CAS
- Assume an effort in communicating with all AIDS service organizations, health care organizations, and youth-based groups in their region for feedback on what is being done by/for Youth Living with HIV (YLWHIV), affected youth and youth at risk; in which to inform the PLWHIV Youth Director.
Director-At-Large Position Description
Directors-At-Large of the Canadian AIDS Society agree to the general conditions of workload, lines of reporting, duration of appointment, time and travel commitment, roles and responsibilities of all other CAS Board members.
In addition, Directors-At-Large:
- Will strive to present a sense of balance to the composition of the Board of Directors in representing views of otherwise under-represented populations within the CAS community
- Will strive to present a balanced view of issues that might otherwise be constrained by regional concerns
- May be required to assume other roles and functions, or undertake special project assignments as directed by the Board Chair
- May be asked to assist with ongoing planning for CAS (e.g. chair an ad-hoc planning committee)
PLWHIV Youth Director Position Description
The PLWHIV Youth Director of the Canadian AIDS Society agrees to the general conditions of workload, lines of reporting, duration of appointment, time and travel commitment, roles and responsibilities of all other CAS Board members. In addition, the PLWHIV Youth Director will receive mentorship from all other CAS Board members.
This director is expected to gather information and act as a resource to advise the Board of issues faced by Youth Living with HIV (YLWHIV) in all regions of the country.
In addition, the PLWHIV Youth Director:
- Is required to develop a brief summary indicating some expected results to achieve in their term as PLWHIV Youth Director insofar as how they plan on communicating and reaching Canadian youth. For approval by the Board by a determined date at the beginning of the term.
- Assumes primary responsibility in communicating with AIDS service organizations, health care organizations and youth based groups in Canada for feedback on what is being done by/for YLWHIV, affected youth and youth at risk.
- Communicates with, and receives support from all Regional Directors to help locate groups in their region for YLWHIV, affected youth and youth at risk.
- Brings to the Board of Directors concerns and issues faced by the YLWHIV, affected youth and youth at risk in all regions of the country.
- Is accountable to the YLWHIV, affected youth and youth at risk regarding the issues brought forth, and should promote GIPA Youth Module to these youth.
- Is strongly encouraged to inject a youth perspective, by initiating the development of a youth-engaging activity when planning the PLWHIV Forum and CAS AM to attract youth and ensure youth attendance; in consultation with the Board, Staff, PLWHIV Committee, and Priorities and Planning Committee.
- Is required to compile an annual review of youth related issues brought forth by all regions of the country. A clear, concise and engaging presentation reflecting the youth perspective must be done orally, in conjunction with a typed summary to distribute while co-chairing a brief session in all Regional Caucuses and/or Youth Caucus at the Forum and the Annual Meeting.