Role: Board of Directors

The CNIB Foundation is a non-profit organization driven to change what it is to be blind today. CNIB Foundation delivers innovative programs and powerful advocacy that empowers people impacted by blindness to live their dreams and tear down barriers to inclusion. Their work as a blind foundation is powered by a network of volunteers, donors, and partners from coast to coast.   

CNIB Foundation’s mission is to change what it is to be blind through innovative programs and powerful advocacy that enables Canadians impacted by blindness to live lives they choose.  CNIB Foundation’s Strategic Plan has been focused on boosting participation in the world of work, unleashing the power of technology, and driving achievement and equality. 

Highlights

• Annually, they receive 8000+ new referrals 
• They provide services to over 102,000 Canadians of all ages
• Their staff is over 270 certified specialists delivering services across the country
• 44+ clinic locations across Canada
• New VLR brand launched by CNIB in 2017 to help Canadians better understand & access essential health 
• care services
• Values; Empowerment, Inclusiveness, Innovation, Passion, Collaboration, Integrity

Opportunity - Board of Directors

• CNIB’s Board of Directors is made up of some of Canada’s brightest minds and most successful industry 
• leaders across the country 
• Board Directors develop strategic partnerships, raise awareness, and drive significant fundraising on behalf 
• of CNIB
• Board Directors oversee the areas of enterprise risk management and compliance 
• Establishing the mission and values, approving the strategic plan and related fundraising 
• Ensuring the strategic plan is consistent with its mission and mandate 
• Ensuring realistic goals and objectives are consistent with the strategic plan that is set & monitored
• Approve the strategic plan and its related fundraising, and ensure the mission is delivered 
• Developing governance policies and procedures; assesses and addresses risk 
• Managing the hiring, termination, motivation and remuneration of the President and CEO
• It is expected the President and CEO will draw upon the expertise of Directors to assist in meeting his/her 
• responsibilities 
• Approving organizational strategy, budget, and financial statements to ensure sound policies are in place
• Serving as enthusiastic ambassadors for CNIB, Board Directors open new doors to potential supporters and partners

Expectations - Conduct and Participation

• Directors are expected to attend meetings (minimum 4x/annually)
• Must be familiar with the materials provided prior to
• Must serve on at least one Standing Committee and/or Sub-Committee
• Directors are expected to provide financial support to the organization (whatever is personally meaningful,
• at a level at which they are comfortable) 
• CNIB Board Directors are elected for a term of three years for a maximum of two terms 
• With 100% participation and support for CNIB’s annual fundraising goals and with a view to building a 
• culture of philanthropy, each CNIB Foundation Board Director serves as an advocate, ambassador, 
• fundraiser, and friend-raiser for CNIB 
• While Board Directors are not required to be formal fundraisers, they must each appreciate the call-toaction and the culture of philanthropy CNIB Board Directors embody and support

About You

• CNIB Board Directors are senior business and community leaders
• Previous board and/or professional experience to decision making
• Expertise in strategy, governance, finance, enterprise risk management, compliance, legal, advocacy, 
• government relations, M&A, digital technology, national fundraising, cyber security
• Experience developing and implementing provincial advocacy and fundraising strategies
• Entrepreneurial and innovative by nature
• Members are influential business and community leaders who lead provincial advocacy, fundraising, and 
• engage their networks to support CNIB’s mission in their individual provinces
• Courageous, innovative, and enthusiastic about the goal of changing what it means to be blind in Canada
• CNIB’s senior leadership volunteers are dedicated advocates for the rights of Canadians who are blind or 
• Members are well connected to regional governments, businesses, and the diverse communities CNIB 
• proudly serves, by implementing marketing, communications, fundraising and friendraising strategies
• High EQ, strong self-awareness, and empathy for others

Links to review

• CNIB: A Century of Change
• CNIB – Our Ambitions
• CNIB Strategic Plan 2018-2022
• CNIB 2021-2022
• Partnership with Brand Ambassador Ben Mulroney
• CNIB Mobile Hub
• CNIB Executive Leadership Team
• John M Rafferty, President and CEO
• Angela Bonfanti, Chief Operating Officer

Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada (VLRC) is a not-for-profit national healthcare organization and the leading provider 
of rehabilitation therapy and healthcare services for individuals with vision loss. Their services are tailored to the 
unique needs and goals of each person who comes to them for help. Every individual who experiences vision loss is 
different, and so are the things that they are working to achieve in life. Some may need help with basic daily tasks, 
while others are pursuing university, careers, family planning, etc. 

Services are offered through tele-practice (virtually), on in person at a clinic, local community centre or client’s 
home. VLRC is a team of outstanding health care professionals across Canada who bring exceptional training & 
expertise to the table. They work closely with ophthalmologists, optometrists, and other health care professionals
They are a proud partner organization of CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind) and work closely with CNIB 
team members to ensure Canadians who are blind or partially sighted have the skills, confidence, and opportunities 
to lead independent lives.

Highlights

• Annually, they receive 8000+ new referrals 
• They provide services to over 102,000 Canadians of all ages
• Their staff is over 270 certified specialists delivering services across the country
• 44+ clinic locations across Canada
• New VLR brand launched by CNIB in 2017 to help Canadians better understand & access essential health care services
• Values; Empowerment, Inclusiveness, Innovation, Passion, Collaboration, Integrity

Opportunity - Board of Directors

• The Board operates at all times with a national perspective, not in the interests of any particular region or 
• constituency.
• Directors shall be elected or appointed under the terms of VLRC’s Bylaws.
• Ensuring the strategic plan is consistent with its mission and mandate
• Ensuring realistic goals & objectives are consistent with the strategic plan approved by the Board
• Managing the hiring, termination, motivation and remuneration of the President and CEO
• Monitoring progress towards the achievement of VLRC’s goals through the receipt and review of reports 
• from committees and subcommittees and from the President and CEO
• Bearing the ultimate responsibility for the assessment of risk to which the organization may be exposed
• Detailed reviewing of VLRC’s policies, operations & activities to bring to its attention any areas of significant 
• risk
• Involvement and the subsequent approval of the vision, mission, and values for VLRC
• Accountability for ensuring VLRC carries out its mission