The Board of Directors of Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services is Seeking Board Members
About Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services (Rideauwood)
Since 1976, Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services, has been providing person-centered treatment, prevention, and education to those affected by substance use, addiction and concurrent mental health issues. Our compassionate, adaptive, expert and collaborative approach has earned Rideauwood a trusted place in the Ottawa community and the surrounding region as a leader in community-based substance use health, mental health and addictions, family/parent, school-based, gambling and drug treatment court services.
Rideauwood serves approximately 3000 clients yearly. Our programs are available to youth, young adults (age 12 to 25), adults, parents and families. We work closely with our clients to provide trauma-informed, harm reduction-based treatment programs that meet their unique needs — including abstinence, moderation, and harm reduction — at any point in their recovery journey. We also support community capacity-building through training, consultation, and partnerships. For more information go to www.rideauwood.org.
About the Board
Rideauwood is seeking experienced volunteers for its Board of Directors. These vacancies are for an initial term of up to three years, with the possibility of renewal.
A Board member is expected to commit the time required to perform Board and committee duties, and to participate in an orientation process. The Board meets approximately 6 times/year and a Board member is expected to attend at least 80% of Board meetings. A Board member is also expected to serve on at least one committee which generally meets 5 to 6 times per year.
Other expectations of Board members may include:
- A commitment to supporting Rideauwood through an annual donation and fundraising involvement during their term on the Board.
- Attending ‘’Family Spiral’’, a 2-evening education program to learn more about addiction and its effect on others.
- Participating in events that celebrate the achievements of our clients and staff.
Qualifications
We are seeking individuals committed to Rideauwood’s mission and passionate about sustaining strong, community-based substance use health, addiction, and mental health services. We welcome applicants whose skills and experience will complement and strengthen our Board. Based on our skills matrix, the following recruitment expertise/experience priorities have been identified:
- Board Governance
- Change Management / Organizational Development
- Real Estate / Facilities
- Financial Management/Human Resources/Legal
- Lived or living experience with substance use, addiction, recovery, or mental health challenges, including personal or family experience
The Board is committed to continuously strengthening its equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) practices. While we acknowledge we are early in this journey, we are firmly committed to building a Board that reflects the diverse communities we serve. The Board is committed to diversity and inclusion and has identified a need to maintain a focus on attracting more diverse board members, including diversity related to age, race, gender and sexuality and the desire to continue recruiting people with lived and living experience with problematic substance use, gaming and gambling, including experience with Rideauwood programs.
We welcome differing perspectives and talents, knowing that this benefits our organization and the clients we serve. Interested applicants must be at least 18 years old and have leadership experience. Previous experience serving on a Board of Directors is preferred.
To Apply
Please submit a resume and covering letter or video that identifies your professional and personal background as it relates to Rideauwood’s mission and why you are interested in serving on the Rideauwood Board of Directors.
Applications will be reviewed against identified gaps. Virtual interviews will be conducted in November/December by the Board’s Human Resources and Governance Committee, with recommendations brought forward to the Board. A Board onboarding session will be provided to all new board members prior to their first Board meeting.
Applications should be sent by email to Anita Gaucher ea@rideauwood.org.
The deadline for submission of applications is November 2 at 11:59pm.