Board of Governors

List of 6 frequently asked questions.

• What is the role of the Board?

  The Board of Governors is the ultimate decision-making body of the school. Governance, long-term sustainability, oversight of the development and implementation of the school’s strategic plan, as well as the stewardship of the mission, vision and values of the school, rest with the Board of Governors. 

  
  The Board of Governors is a governance board not an operational board. As such, the Board’s function is to oversee and ensure that action is being taken in the long term interests of the School and to function at arm’s length from the school’s senior administration. 

• Who sits on the Board?

  The Board is a skills-based board. The Board is comprised of parents, alumnae, the Bishop of Niagara, Sisters of the Community of the Sisters of the Church and friends of the school. 

  
  Members of the Board are generally appointed at an annual meeting in September for a two or three year term, though a Governor could be appointed during the year should a vacancy arise. 

  
  The Governance Committee to the Board of Governors is responsible for assessing the needs of the Board going forward, including identifying gaps in knowledge or experience relevant to the function of the Board. The Governance Committee considers the skills and expertise needed and makes recommendations to the Board regarding candidate appointments. 

• How does the Board function?

  The Board meets throughout the school year for formal board meetings (or more frequently as required) and generally meets for a Board and Senior Leadership Team retreat annually. Meeting topics are set by the Chair of the Board taking into account strategic and operational timing and needs.

   

  The Board has several committees established to oversee important areas and make recommendations to the Board. The Board establishes ad hoc committees based on future work and the strategic plan considerations. The committees generally include both members of the Board of Governors and members of the SMLS community at large.

   

  Currently the Board has appointed the following committees:

  • Finance and Audit
  • Strategy and Facilities
  • Risk
  • Advancement
  • Governance
  • Head Evaluation

  In addition to Board members, committees may include appointed advisors who have relevant skills to make a contribution to the work of the applicable committee. Committees work with members of the Senior Leadership Team to advance the priorities of the committee.

• Are there other ways to get involved with the Board?

  Yes! In addition to members of the Board of Governors, SMLS has several advisors to Board committees. Advisors to a Board committee are not members of the Board of Governors, but have specific skills needed for the relevant Board committee and are appointed for one-year terms by the Board of Governors. Advisors participate in recommendations to be made by a Board committee to the Board of Governors on strategic matters.  Board appointments and advisor appointments are made taking into account the skills needs of the Board or Committee and the relevant skills and experience of individual candidates. 

• What are the expectations of a Board member and Advisor?

  Board members are subject to certain statutory duties owed to SMLS. In addition, Board members and advisors are required to comply with policies adopted by the Board, including a Code of Conduct,
  
  Confidentiality Policy and Conflict of Interest Policy. Board members are expected to be involved in the work of one or more committees and to effectively contribute to the work of the Board. The Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS), which provides accreditation to SMLS, has established indicators of effective practice and guidelines for Boards to comply with. 

• How can I apply to be on the Board or to be an Advisor to a Board Committee?

  Interested members of the community who wish to be considered by the Governance Committee are encouraged to complete the Confidential Board Profile and to submit both the profile and a resume or C.V. by email to Noreen Luk, Executive Assistant to the Board of Governors, at nluk@smls.on.ca.