Becoming a Board Member

Are you interested in helping shape the future of the Halifax Grammar School?

Would you like to become involved in the stewardship of this school as it helps students discover their passions, develop their potential and serve others?

Volunteers from the Grammar Community (parents, alumni and the community at large) are encouraged to put their names forward. The Board hopes to attract individuals with diverse skill sets, experience and backgrounds.

In February of each year, the Nominating Committee will send a notice to all school members informing them of how many vacancies are to be filled on the Board.

If you are willing to serve on the Board, please provide a short biography to the Chair of the Nominating Committee. Candidates will be contacted to confirm their interest and an interview may be conducted.

All nominations will be considered at the Nominating Committee and a slate of candidates will be presented to the Board for consideration at least 5 weeks before the Annual General Meeting (AGM). Candidates may also be nominated by a letter of nomination signed by 10 members from the school, and endorsed by the nominee, no later than 14 days before the AGM.

 

Information on all nominees will be circulated before the AGM to all school community members. An election, if necessary, will be carried out at the AGM. If not, the nominations will be presented at the AGM.

The Board of Governors of the Halifax Grammar School is made up of volunteer parents, alumni and community members. Care is taken to nominate individuals with diverse skill sets, experience and backgrounds to assist the Board in fulfilling its important stewardship responsibilities. The School is fortunate to have dedicated and capable individuals serving on the Board. Grammar benefits from their collaborative efforts to advance the best interests of the school.

The size and composition of the Board are prescribed by Grammar's Articles of Association. These Articles will be reviewed by the Governance Committee every three (3) years at which time the issue of the Board's size and composition will be considered specifically to determine if any changes are warranted. Currently, the Board can range in size from 10 to 18 members. In November 2018, the Board determined that the ideal board size is fourteen (14) members.

In addition to formal meetings, board members are asked to participate in school activities throughout the year.

Board meetings
Seven (7) meetings are held throughout the school year (current schedule is Tuesdays 5:00 - 7:00 pm) and a professional development session, usually held in January.

Board committees

In addition to board meetings, members are all asked to serve on one of the board committees (Finance, Audit & Risk; Executive; Advancement; Governance; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging). Committee meeting schedules are established by the Committee Chair in consultation with the Committee members, and occur approximately seven (7) times throughout the year.

 

The ideal profile for the "collective" Board of Governors includes the following skills/expertise, representation and attributes.

• Financial/accounting
• Legal
• Communications and stakeholder relations
• Education
• Real estate development
• Fundraising/advancement
• Human resources
• Governance
• Child and adolescent health
• Marketing/branding
• Strategic skill sets
• Individuals with strong connections to the school community
• Broader community involvement and extensive networks
  
  

Consideration should be given to:

• A balance of representatives in the community from different walks of life (e.g. balance of gender, diversity, new and long-time parents)
• A balance of representatives with children in all parts of Grammar (i.e. prep, middle, senior)
• A balance of professional expertise and skills required on the Board
• Representation from members, alumni and the community at large to provide a level of independence, objectivity, and diversity of perspectives to the organization