Board of Directors

Jack.org is on a mission to empower young individuals with community, knowledge, and tools to champion mental well-being. It stands poised and empowered for this crucial task, fortified by dedicated donors, a robust financial reserve, visionary leadership, and a high-performing team eager to drive change. Focused on addressing the prevalent issue of mental health distress among youth, particularly those systematically excluded from mental health dialogue and action, it creates and adapts programming to cater to diverse youth demographics and communities across Canada. Its approach centres on upstream prevention of mental distress and the promotion of mental well-being. Jack.org was created in memory of Jack Windeler, a first-year student at Queen’s University who died by suicide at 18 years old. Jack’s parents, Eric Windeler and Sandra Hanington, co-founded Jack.org to provide young people with mental health education and to ensure that those struggling can access the support they deserve.

It is within this context that Jack.org welcomes applications and nominations for appointments to its Board of Directors, commencing summer 2025, or soon after.

The Board of Directors is responsible for governing the affairs of the organization. The Board discharges its responsibilities by delegating the day-to-day operations to the President & CEO and by delegating certain other responsibilities to Board Committees. This position description sets out how individual Directors are expected to engage in the Board’s work and discharge their duties and responsibilities. In discharging their responsibilities, each Director is required to act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of Jack.org, and exercise the care, diligence, and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances.

Geographical Representation

As a national organization, Jack.org welcomes nominations of all individuals, while also encouraging interest from people in Western Canada (BC, AB, SK) and Quebec.

Time Commitment:

The average annual time commitment to fulfill the responsibilities as a Director is 40-50 hours Directors are expected to commit the necessary time required to fulfill Board and Committee responsibilities, which includes preparation for and attendance at Board and Committee meetings, the annual general meeting, strategic planning session(s), and special events.

Term - Directors are elected by the members for terms of three years and may serve a maximum of six years. When circumstances warrant, a Director may be elected for a third three-year term subject to the approval of two-thirds of votes cast by members.

Sub-Committee Appointments - Each Director will be asked to serve on at least one Board Committee. Committee appointments are made by the Board on the recommendation of the Chair and in consultation with individual Directors, the President & CEO, and the Governance and Nominating Committee.

Compensation - Directors serve in a voluntary capacity, without financial remuneration. Approved travel expenses which are inline with the Board policies, will be reimbursed.

Application Process

To be considered for a Board position, please submit a comprehensive resume along with a cover letter in confidence to Jane Griffith (jane@griffithgroup.ca) and/or Caroline McLean (caroline@griffithgroup.ca).

Jack.org and Griffith Group are committed to an inclusive, accessible and welcoming hiring process that provides reasonable accommodation to all applicants. Please advise Jane Griffith (jane@griffithgroup.ca) should you require any accommodation to participate in the recruitment and/or assessment processes.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.