Standards Section A : Board Governance
Description: We've identified the best resources to help your organization prepare to meet each standard. Learn more about the Standards, download the Standards Program Handbook.
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Standard A1: Mission statement
The organization has a mission statement that is approved and revisited by the board at least every five years to assess its continuing relevance.
Standard A1 Explained
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Standard A2: Strategic plan
Level 1 - The board ensures a strategic plan is in place ; Level 2 & 3 - The board is responsible for approving a strategic plan and has a process in place to evaluate progress in achieving the plan’s priorities.
Standard A2 Explained
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Standard A3: Recruitment & orientation of most senior staff person
Level 1 - The board is accountable for the recruitment and orientation of the most senior staff person in the organization ; Level 2 & 3 - The board is accountable for the recruitment and orientation of the most senior staff person in the organization. The recruitment process is fair and transparent, and managed in a professional manner by the board. The board is accountable to ensure that the most senior staff person receives the appropriate orientation required to assume his/her responsibilities.
Standard A3 Explained
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Standard A4: Management of most senior staff person
Level 1 - The most senior staff person reports to the board and has a written job description or terms of reference ; Level 2 & 3 - The most senior staff person reports to the board, has a detailed job description or terms of reference, annual performance objectives and an annual performance review.
Standard A4 Explained
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Standard A5: Compensation and expenses of most senior staff person
The total compensation package of the most senior staff person is approved by the board or a board committee and expenses are reviewed at least annually by a member(s) of the board.
Standard A5 Explained
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Standard A6: Succession planning - most senior staff person
Level 1 - Not applicable ; Level 2 & 3 - The board annually discusses the succession plan for the most senior staff position in the organization.
Standard A6 explained
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Standard A7: Risk management
The organization has a process to identify its major strategic and operational risks and a plan to minimize and mitigate these risks. The plan is reviewed annually by the board.
Standard A7 Explained
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Standard A8: Insurance
The organization has a process to review its insurance coverages. A summary report is reviewed annually by the board.
Standard A8 Explained
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Standard A9: Legal Compliance
The board or a board committee oversees the organization’s compliance with its own governing documents (e.g., letters patent, by-laws) and all applicable federal, provincial and municipal laws and regulations. Organizations conducting programs outside Canada will also abide by applicable laws, regulations and conventions in that jurisdiction, unless these are in conflict with laws in Canada.
Standard A9 Explained
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Standard A10: Communication & consultation with stakeholders
The organization identifies its stakeholders and ensures there is a strategy for regular and effective communication and consultation with them about the organization’s achievements and work.
Standard A10 Explained
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Standard A11: Code of ethics/conduct
Level 1 - Not applicable ; Level 2 & 3 - The organization has codes of ethics/conduct that apply to directors, staff and volunteers.
Standard A11 Explained
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Standard A12: Conflict of interest policy
The organization has conflict of interest policies for board, staff, and volunteers that provide for disclosure, review and decision on actual or perceived conflicts of interest.
Standard A12 Explained
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Standard A13: Privacy Policy
The organization has a privacy policy that is posted in a readily accessible location on its website.
Standard A13 Explained
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Standard A14: Complaints Policy
Level 1 - The organization responds promptly to complaints by external stakeholders. The organization informs the board at least annually of the number, type and disposition of complaints received. ; Level 2 & 3 - The organization has a complaints policy applicable to external stakeholders that is posted in a readily accessible location on its website. The organization responds promptly to complaints by external stakeholders. The organization informs the board at least annually of the number, type and disposition of complaints received.
Standard A14 Explained
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Standard A15: Whistleblower policy
Level 1 & 2 - Not applicable ; Level 3 - The organization has established and implemented policies and procedures that enable individuals to come forward with information on illegal practices or violations of organizational policies. This “whistleblower” policy must specify that the organization will not retaliate against, and will protect the confidentially of, individuals who make good-faith reports.
Standard A15 Explained
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Standard A16: Number of meetings
The board holds a sufficient number of meetings annually to ensure appropriate direction and oversight of the organization’s activities. At minimum, the board should hold two meetings per year at which the agenda is not restricted to a specific issue or issues (e.g., appointment of officers).
Standard A16 Explained
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Standard A17: Board terms of reference
Level 1 - The board has written terms of reference. ; Level 2 & 3 - The board has written terms of reference outlining how it will review, approve, and monitor the mission/strategic direction, annual budget and key financial transactions, compensation practices and policies, and fiscal and governance policies.
Standard A17 Explained
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Standard A18: Board composition
The board is comprised of no less than 3 (but preferably 5 or more) directors, a majority of whom must be at arm’s length to each other, to the most senior staff person and/or other management staff. No employee may be a director. See also : Imagine Canada Standards Program Position Paper: Issue of Employees on the Board of Directors.
Standard A18 Explained
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Standard A19: Board compensation
No member of the board is entitled to receive, either directly or indirectly, any salary, wages, fees, commissions or other amount for services rendered to the organization in their capacity as a director.
Standard A19 Explained
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Standard A20: Board orientation
A process is in place to ensure orientation of new board members. Board members must understand their legal and fiduciary responsibilities, exercise due diligence consistent with their duty of care, be familiar with the organization’s activities and fully informed of the financial status of the organization.
Standard A20 Explained
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Standard A21: Board records
Proper minutes of board meetings and record of policies are kept.
Standard A21 Explained
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Standard A22: Board succession
The board has a process to annually review plans for succession to the positions of board chair and committee chairs.
Standard A22 Explained
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Standard A23: Board development
Level 1 - Not applicable ; Level 2 & 3 - The board has a process to annually consider development opportunities for potential board chairs and committee chairs.
Standard A23 Explained
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Standard A24: Performance of the board
Level 1 - Not applicable ; Level 2 - The board has a process to annually review its performance. ; Level 3 - The board has a process to annually review the performance of individual directors and the board as a whole.
Standard A24 Explained