Water Polo Canada (WPC) is extending an invitation for nominations to selected qualified female candidates interested in serving on the Board of Directors until the 2027 Annual Meeting. At the end of this term, the candidate may choose to resubmit their nomination for consideration by the members, prior to the 2027 Annual Meeting, in accordance with the nominations & elections process as outlined in the WPC Bylaws.
Current Board Composition
| Name |
Title |
Term Ends |
| Susan Cameron (SK) |
Director |
2027 |
| Kathleen Dawson (MB) |
President |
2027 |
| Adam Deffett (ON) |
Director |
2026 |
| Gaelan Patterson (AB) |
Athlete Representative Director |
2027 |
| James Profit (ATL) |
Director |
2028 |
| Kyam Schell-Schnitzer (ON) |
Director |
2026 |
| Christina Skinner (ON) |
Vice-President |
2028 |
| Benjamin Young (BC) |
Director |
2028 |
| Nic Youngblud (AB) |
Director |
2026 |
| vacancy |
Director |
2027 |
To satisfy compliance for term limits for the Sport Canada Governance Code, there is a vacant director position that must be filled by a female candidate. This appointment, following board approval, holds office for the remainder of the unexpired term ending at the 2027 Annual Meeting. Additional details regarding board diversity and gender balance are explained in the by-laws.
Knowledge, Experience, and Skills
The Water Polo Canada Board of Directors oversees the policies of the Association, the budget, produces a strategic plan for the Association and reviews that plan regularly to ensure that its objectives are being met.
The Water Polo Canada Board conducts itself in a businesslike fashion. Individuals who apply for a Board position should be aware that it is a policy governance Board and Directors will be expected to be responsible for or participate in certain portfolios.
Furthermore, the Board is strongest and most effective when each Director contributes knowledge, experience, and skills in one or more of the following core competencies:
-
- Governance experience / previous board experience
- Risk Management
- Legal background
- Audit and Finance
- Knowledge of Insurance
- Strategic Planning
- Fundraising and Revenue Generation
- Policy Writing
- Human Resources
- Knowledge of water polo and the Canadian sport system is an asset
Above all, Directors must understand the duties and responsibilities of a Board of Directors. Directors should, ideally, be financially literate and be familiar with processes involved in evaluating organizational performance.
Diversity and Board Composition
In order to comply with Sport Canada’s Governance Code that states, among other things, that a National Governing Body’s Board should have not more than 60% of the directors as the same gender; therefore, it is Water Polo Canada’s intent, at this time, to search for qualified female candidates to help comply with these criteria. Water Polo Canada recognizes that diverse perspectives, experiences and backgrounds provide for optimal board performance. Consequently, we also welcome new Canadians and those who come from diverse backgrounds and who have the above-mentioned qualifications and are interested in developing their Canadian experience with a network of leaders who share a common passion to help sport and youth reach their potential.
- Below is an outline of the Board’s roles and responsibilities:
- General Board Responsibilities
- Ensure ethical conduct of the organization
- Ensure financial responsibility and viability of the organization
- Articulate and communicate the vision and priorities
- Manage relationships with senior staff
- Monitor the ongoing progress of the organization
- Maintain overall stewardship and governance of the organization
- Responsibilities of Board Members
- Attend Board meetings
- Attend other meetings as required
- Attend competitions in local area
- Complete tasks as required from minutes of meetings and other committee tasks
- Time Commitment
- Attendance at the AM each year (online in September)
- Monthly Board meetings (2-3-hour conference call on a weekday night) where the schedule takes into consideration most Canadian time zones.
- At least 5 – 10 hours per month depending on other roles
- Term of office will end at the 2027 Annual Meeting.
- Benefits
- An opportunity to actively work with an engaging network of individuals who are passionate about the sport of water polo in Canada
- An opportunity for personal and professional development
- To actively contribute to Canada being a leader in High Performance, in the growth of water polo and in organizational excellence
- An opportunity to actively contribute to Canada becoming the number one water polo nation and be part of a special sport community.
Each nomination
-
- Must be submitted in writing to nominations@waterpolo.ca.
- Must include a motivation letter including areas of expertise/interest and how this skill set will contribute to the achievement of the strategic objectives of the organization.
- Must include a resumé with at least one reference.
- Must include the completed Board Recruiting and Development Matrix form.
Interested candidates shall send their nominations to the Chair of the Water Polo Canada Nominations Committee. Please send nominations to the following email address: nominations@waterpolo.ca.
Should you have any questions regarding the Board of Directors and/or the nomination of individuals for this Board, please feel free to contact any member of the committee at nominations@waterpolo.ca.
Thank you for your diligent attention to this important matter for our organization.
Sincerely,
Susan Cameron
Chair of the Nominations Committee Water Polo Canada