Organic Council of Ontario Call for Directors
Call for Directors 2022
Position: Director, Organic Council of Ontario Board of Directors
Type: Volunteer
Start: April, 2022
Term: 2 years, renewable (1 year terms also available)
Commitment: 5-10 hours/month
Meetings: Once or twice a month, weekdays (video conference)
Location: Anywhere in Ontario
Key Dates
Deadline for nominations March 1st, 2022
Online voting period March 7-30, 2022
AGM voting and (re)election of Board Directors March 31, 2022
How to Apply
Please complete the online nomination form or contact communications@organiccouncil.ca for a printed pdf nomination form and any further information you may require.
We encourage all qualified applications, and in seeking to represent the interests of the organic sector as a whole, we wish to increase applications from traditionally under-represented groups (e.g. BIPOC, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and people with disabilities). If you wish to discuss accessibility and inclusion please contact communications@organiccouncil.ca.
About OCO
The Organic Council of Ontario (OCO) is the voice for organics in Ontario. We are the only full value chain association operating at the provincial level. We represent over 1400 certified organic operators, as well as the businesses, organizations, and individuals that bring food from farm to plate. We work to catalyze sector growth, support research, improve training, increase data collection, encourage market development, protect the integrity of organic claims, and inform the public of the benefits and requirements of organic agriculture.
About the Board
The Organic Council of Ontario is governed by an elected Board of Directors with alternating two-year terms. The Directors are responsible for setting strategic targets and direction for the organization, general financial oversight, guidance on policy and regulatory initiatives, assisting with fundraising and engaging with the organic membership. The Board also elects officers from among the Directors. The President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary work with the Executive Director to represent the organization and provide leadership on the operations of the organization (e.g. oversee financial matters and corporate documents).
Strategic Direction
Since 2015, the Organic Council of Ontario has shifted its mandate to focus more on matters that affect organic businesses. This is reflected in OCO’s fundraising strategy, which has shifted in focus from consumer donations to industry funding.
To see what we’ve been recently working on, explore our Achievements for 2021.
Some of the exciting projects we are working towards in 2022 include:
- Continuing to push for Organic Regulation in Ontario
- Improving our website, membership management, communications and directory
- Expanding our data portal and making it more accessible
- Continuing our partnership with the Guelph Organic Conference
- Conducting a labour needs assessment in the Ontario organic sector
- Piloting a commodity-specific transition program
- Testing out a new commodity membership class and governance structure
- Developing an Ontario Organic brand and marketing campaign
- Continuing to play a role in advancing organic climate solutions through Farmers for Climate Solutions
- Growing our commitment to reconciliation, diversity, equity and inclusion.
Board Openings
We have nine (9) positions open for (re)election. There are opportunities in the producer (2) certified value chain (1) supporter (1) and director-at-large (5).
| Voting Category | Total Seats | Open Seats for the 2021 – 2023 term |
| Producer (certified) Primary producers with certified organic product. | 3 | 2 |
| Value Chain (certified) Any business with organic certification that does not include agricultural production. | 2 | 1 |
| Value Chain (non-certified) Any business that handles certified organic product but does not require certification. | 1 | 1 |
| Supporter Sector experts, Consultants, Media/communications, NGO/Associations, In-transition/ecological producers. | 1 | 1 |
| Directors At Large This category allows the board to find board members with certain skill sets such as financial, fundraising, media or government relations experience, for instance. This category can also include in-transition/ecological producers. | 5 | 5 |
This year, the Board of Directors is looking for individuals with any of the following qualifications, expertise and experience:
- Experience as or working with underrepresented communities in the organic sector or those facing systemic barriers
- Other commodity association experience and/or connections
- Represents a value chain or geographic perspective not currently on the board
- Non-profit organizational development and fundraising
- Operational policy development (HR etc.)
- Legal or government relations expertise
- Previous board experience and/or an ability to work in a team
- Experience with organic auditing and regulation
- (Digital) Marketing and/or brand experience
- Research experience and/or connections
- Grant experience
- Knowledge of organic transition and certification challenges
To be eligible, an individual must:
- Be or become a member of OCO in good standing,
- Be nominated by another member,
- Be at least 18 years of age, and
- Not have bankruptcy that is undischarged.
Responsibilities of a Board member include:
- Attend and participate in monthly Board meetings regularly (failure to attend three consecutive meetings without notice may result in removal from the Board)
- Attend two in-person strategy sessions per year
- Actively contribute to projects related to your area of expertise
- Stay informed about the organization and attend at least one program event per year
- Attendance at OCO AGM March 31st, 2022
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