BOARD CHAIR
The CSA Board of Directors works within the CSA’s welfare, image, and mandate, to defend and protect the rights and interests of students. Directors have a huge influence across campus and beyond, making decisions that affect the quality and type of services, events and campaigns offered by the CSA as a not-for-profit corporation. Between General Membership Meetings, the Board of Directors is the highest decision-making body of the organization. Directors also help to shape and build the student movement within these board meetings. The Board of Directors is made up of a four-person Executive, two at-large members elected per college, and representatives appointed from college governments and campus organizations, totalling to a maximum of 35 individuals. As a result, the Board of Directors meetings include passionate discussions about student issues from members with diverse backgrounds, and it is the role of the Chair to ensure the meetings flow efficiently with decorum.
The Board Chair serves as an external chair, not as a member of the Board of Directors. The primary duty of this position is to uphold the CSA’s Rules of Order and Robert’s Rules of Order in order to allow for democratic decisions to be determined by the Board of Directors. The Board Chair must work in an unbiased manner with utmost neutrality to ensure equity among all Board members in acknowledgment of the mandated diverse demographic of the Board. By extension, the Chair must be mindful in ensuring all Board members are given all available options when they inquire about parliamentary procedure. As a staff member, the Board Chair must uphold and support the CSA’s Mandate and Approach and work towards the overall success of the CSA.
Board Meetings are generally held alternating Wednesday evenings, and are typically 1.5 to 2.5 hours in length, though may extend to 5 hours on rare occasions. In addition to the scheduled Board Meetings, the Board Chair is expected to chair the CSA’s Annual General Meeting, General Members’ Meeting, and Emergency Board Meetings.
Start Date
May 1, 2026
Total of at least 20 meetings per fiscal year (May 1 to April 30)
Honorarium
$50.00 per hour, rounded up to the nearest quarter hour – starting from pre-meeting
Minimum three hours paid for all regularly scheduled board meetings and training dates
Executive Supervisor
CSA President
Immediate Supervisor
Policy and Transition Coordinator
TRAINING AND TRANSITION:
- Required to complete the following online training modules:
o Workplace Health & Safety
o Anti-Oppression
o Accessible Service Provision
o Sexual and Gender Based Violence Awareness
- Additional training may be required at the request of the President
- Opportunity to shadow up to two Board of Director meetings
- Required to receive 5 hours of one-on-one training from the out-going Board Chair
JOB DESCRIPTION:
- Primary responsibility will be to chair/facilitate Board of Directors meetings, emergency Board meetings, and members meetings using Robert’s Rules of Order and CSA Rules of Order
- Review board packages prior to meetings
- Make all necessary inquiries and complete research to ensure you are prepared as possible for discussion at Board meetings
- Attend meetings on an as needed basis before Board of Directors meetings and members meetings to go over upcoming items with the Policy & Transition Coordinator
- Conducts Board meetings in an efficient, effective, and focused manner and ensure adequate time to consider complex issues
- Establish a safe and inclusive environment that seeks and embraces diverse perspectives, independent thinking, and active participation
- Be mindful of the diverse identities represented on the Board and facilitate discussion in a way that creates space for voices most affected by the issues being considered.
- Formulate rulings of the chair when an issue arises which is not explicitly stated in the CSA bylaws and/or policies, while also adhering to Robert’s Rules of Order
- Demonstrate an understanding of University of Guelph student issues as well as an understanding of the workings of the Central Student Association, including Bylaws and Policies
- Sign minutes of the Board of Directors once they have been approved by the Board
- Lead the training of Board members on CSA Rules of Order and Robert’s Rules each semester
- Ensure the Board is made aware of and upholds CSA bylaws and policies pertinent to meeting discussions in conjunction with the Policy & Transition Coordinator
- Act as a resource for Directors with respect to all questions of process and motion writing
- Receive evaluation from Board members to incorporate feedback into your work annually
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Knowledge of Robert’s Rules of Order
- Highly effective communicator and skilled facilitator
- Experience chairing large meetings
- Arbitration, tact, diplomacy, and impartiality
- Reliable and flexible to emergency meetings held on short notice
- Strong understanding of, and commitment to diversity, and inclusion
- General knowledge of the CSA and how it runs
- Experience with student governance, not-for-profit boards, or similar organizational structures is an asset
- Familiarity with the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (ONCA) and relevant case law, particularly as it applies to not-for-profit governance and board procedure, is a strong asset
Pay: Up to $50.00 per hour
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
