Board of Directors

Board of Directors

Volunteer | Hybrid - Edmonton 

The Newcomer Centre is seeking members for its Board of Directors. This is a volunteer, unpaid position. The Newcomer Centre is a non-profit charitable organization serving newcomers and all Canadians in Edmonton.

The Newcomer Centre was founded 44 years ago under the name Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers to help Vietnamese refugees settle in Edmonton. Today the Newcomer Centre is one of the largest newcomer-serving agencies in Alberta, providing non-denominational holistic support for up to 17,000 newcomers per year as they embark on their settlement journeys. The Newcomer Centre provides language classes and childcare for newcomers learning English, employment training and transition supports, settlement services and counselling for families and in-school support for newcomer students, and many community development programs. The Newcomer Centre is part of the C5 partnership, a collaborative of five social profit agencies working together to serve the community.

Mission

To enhance the quality of life for Newcomers and all Canadians.

Core Purpose

We exist to give every newcomer the best opportunity to thrive.

Values

We want to create a society based on the dignity of every human being through our core values:

• Interconnectedness
• Empowerment
• Compassion
• Accountability

Am I the Right Person to Join the Newcomer Centre's Board?

• Are you passionate about supporting immigrants and newcomers as they start their lives here in Edmonton?
• Are you inspired by newcomers' contributions to the social and economic fabric of our city?
• Do you get excited when you connect people with the services, training, and programs that support their success?
• Do you want to help some of Edmonton's newest community members thrive in their new hometown?

If you answered yes to any of the above, you could be a fit for the Board.

What Does a Board Member Do?

A Board member needs to have time to devote to their involvement. As a Board member, you may contribute between 4-10 hours a month, depending on the meetings scheduled and the roles you take on. This includes attending board meetings, actively participating on committees, attending special events or the Newcomer Centre programs, attending and participating in fund development or fundraising events, and attending the annual Board Strategic Retreat in October, a Board professional development day in February, and the Annual General Meeting in June. Board members are expected to attend meetings, fundraisers and community events take place within or outside of business hours.

The Board is responsible for policies and strategies that will drive the Newcomer Centre's operations. The Board of Directors is the legal authority for the Newcomer Centre. As a member of the Board, a Director acts in a position of trust for the community and is responsible for the effective governance of the organization. Board members also contribute their own specialized skills, such as knowledge of finance, fundraising, legal matters, facilities management, and human resources.

What's In It For Me?

By serving on a board, you meet other like-minded people in the community who are devoted to helping newcomers to Edmonton thrive in their new home. This is an opportunity to grow and engage your existing networks around issues of immigration, newcomer settlement and integration, and equity and inclusion. You also gain skills in policy-making, governance, leadership, and community accountability.

Our goal is to create a high-functioning and diverse board that is representative and inclusive of the community members we serve. Individuals with lived experience as newcomers or refugees to Canada are encouraged to apply.

Who Are We Looking For?

Currently, we are seeking new members with expertise or experience in the areas of:

• Legal
• Accounting and Finance
• Fundraising and Fund Development
• Human resources management

While all these skills are valuable, we are particularly in need of individuals with legal expertise or a strong background in fund development.

Directors must demonstrate understanding of board governance roles and responsibilities, have an interest in advocating for newcomers, and demonstrate a willingness to use personal and professional contact networks to support newcomers and the strategic goals of the Newcomer Centre.

We are a diverse board and staff, and we work with clients and students from varied races, cultures and religions. What we have in common is a passion for social justice and intercultural understanding. The Newcomer Centre actively seeks to promote diversity on our Board of Directors and to be inclusive of multiple perspectives.

TIMELINE
If you are interested in joining the Board, please submit your expression of interest by 4:30 pm on December 22, 2025.