First Book Canada Board Member Candidate
About First Book Canada
Kyle Zimmer co-founded the non-profit social enterprise, First Book, 29 years ago to ensure that local schools and community programs across the country serving children from low-income families would have a steady supply of the brand-new, high-quality books they so desperately need. Over the years, the organization has built upon its tradition of ‘collaborative distribution’ with for profit and non-profit partners to serve children in need. First Book has now evolved to address the essential needs for educational equality, including training materials for educators, non-perishable foods, winter coats, school supplies, and an expanded spectrum of resources focused on the basic needs of children from low income households
Our Solution
We harness the collective power of educators serving low-income households and children in high-need communities. Through our award-winning innovative and powerful distribution channels, the First Book Canada Marketplace and the First Book Canada National Book Bank, we effectively deliver resources, from books to backpacks, to these high-need communities. Through our fast-growing network of educators, we identify and respond to unmet needs and ensure the right materials are reaching the right students. First Book Canada Book Bank (FBCNBB) – A centralized distribution system for large-scale donations of children’s books from publishers to programs serving children in need. Working with warehousing partners and support from volunteer networks, the FBCNBB distributes thousands of books annually. First Book Canada Marketplace (FBCMP)– A member-only, online store currently offering more than 6,000 high quality, award-winning children’s books and educational materials at deeply discounted prices to programs serving children from low-income families. For more information, visit www.fbmpcanada.org.
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
First Book Canada is deeply committed to equity, diversity, & inclusion (EDI) at all levels of the organization. The Board of Directors and senior leadership recognize that the diversity of the communities we serve must be reflected throughout the entire organization. These values are central to our mission, as diverse perspectives are necessary to properly address access to education issues. At FBC, we understand that commitment to EDI is an ongoing process, and we welcome the opportunity to learn from our employees, directors, and communities and grow with them. First Book Canada is committed to a fair and equitable board member nominating process that enables the organization to bring onto the board a group of people with a variety of backgrounds and experience.
Board Member Role and Responsibilities
The Board of Directors is the governing body and legal authority of First Book Canada. As a member of the
Board, a Director is responsible for overseeing the strategic directives of the organization, ensuring the
continuity of its programs through effective management oversight, and assisting in fundraising activities
to enhance the impact of First Book Canada. The board functions as a group, but each Director may have
specific individual responsibilities. Every member of the Board, in exercising his or her powers and
discharging his or her duties, is expected to act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests
of the organization, and to exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would
exercise in comparable circumstances.
Without limiting this general statement, each Director is expected to:
- Participate as required in succession planning, hiring, and compensation of the Executive Director
- Ensure appropriate development of the strategic and revenue generation plans of FBC
- Review and approve FBC’s strategic plan and budget
- Monitor performance according to plan, KPIs, budget, and other objectives
- Assess risks and opportunities for FBC
- Be familiar with the FBC by-laws, policies, mission, history, and organizational structure
- Attend and actively participate in an informed manner at Board and committee meetings
- Participate in assessments of the Board and peer and self-assessments of the Directors
- Contribute personal experience and expertise in support of the work of FBC
- Represent FBC at events or in meetings with external stakeholders
- Participate personally in fundraising, reach out to contacts and networks to promote FBC’s work,
identify potential funders, and contribute financially to FBC at a level proportionate to ability - Assist in identifying potential member/user groups
- Maintain confidentiality with respect to information provided by FBC and identify any and all
conflicts of interest