We are very excited to announce that our 2022 Annual General Meeting is set for Thursday, September 29th at 7pm. We will be holding our AGM virtually again this year to keep everyone safe as we approach what we hope will soon be the end of the pandemic. The event will include the usual business meeting and board elections (see important details below regarding nominations to the board), our EH staff updates, as well as a special guest speaker.

CLICK HERE to register now for Environment Hamilton's 2022 AGM!

You will find more details below regarding the AGM including information on our keynote speaker, Seth Klein, and lots of details for anyone interested in putting their name forward to be considered to serve on the Environment Hamilton Board of Directors. For the first time, members of our Board of Directors will be offering drop-in information sessions to answer any questions members have about being a member of the Board. Stay tuned to future email updates and our social media channels for more information on when and where these are happening.

We look forward to seeing you on September 29th!
The EH Board & Staff Team

Environment Hamilton is looking for new board members!

Some of our dedicated board members have reached the end of their terms this year, so there is an opportunity for new board members to join. We are reaching out to our membership to make you aware that there are four board positions open this year. The deadline to apply is September 12th, 2022. Details regarding board member duties, eligibility, and the application process are provided below. Environment Hamilton is a community-focused non-profit working towards a carbon-neutral city with secure local food sources, sustainable transportation, and healthy, clean air, water, and land. Environment Hamilton recognizes that racialized people and others from equity-seeking groups are over-represented in food insecurity, poverty, and environmental injustice statistics but are significantly underrepresented in leadership within community-based organizations such as ours. Environment Hamilton is striving to become an organization that reflects the diversity of identities and lived experiences that exist within the communities we work alongside. We believe those most affected by an issue must have access to leadership positions in organizations tasked with challenging food insecurity, poverty, and environmental injustice. We are especially interested in prioritizing space for board members with lived experience of environmental injustice, poverty, food insecurity, who work in low-wage or precarious jobs, and/or who live in precarious housing.

The current members of the Environment Hamilton Board of Directors will be hosting drop-in information sessions to answer questions about being a member of the Board and the nominations process. There will be virtual and in-person offerings available. Stay tuned to future email updates and be sure to follow our social media accounts to find out when and where these sessions will be happening. If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected].

Board Duties, Eligibility & Application Process

Board member responsibilities:
● Support the vision/mission for Environment Hamilton and ensure it is implemented.
● Monitor the organization’s finances and approve annual budgets within financial targets.
● Ensure Environment Hamilton’s legal responsibilities are met.
● Serve as an advocate of the organization.
 

Time commitment:
● Attend board meetings (once per month, usually 2 hours long).
● Serve on at least 1 standing committee.
● On average, board members contribute 4-10 hours per month towards the
organization.
● EH’s Board is comprised of ten volunteer members.  Board members are elected for 2-year terms, in this case 2022-2024. Board members are allowed to serve up to 3 consecutive 2-year terms and then must stand down. The minimum commitment is 2 years and renewal is optional.
● Please note: We understand if unexpected life pressures arise and can of course accommodate someone if they need to step down midway through their board term.

Eligibility:
● Anyone 18 and older, who is a Hamilton resident and a member of Environment Hamilton is welcome to apply to join the Board. 
● Not yet a member? Membership is free and open to anyone who shares the following vision: “I agree that Hamilton should be a carbon-neutral community with secure local food sources, sustainable transportation and healthy, clean air, water, and land. I will do what I can to help Environment Hamilton achieve this vision.” CLICK HERE to join Environment Hamilton. 

Application process:
● CLICK HERE  to find the short Board Application Form as a PDF and CLICK HERE for the Board of Directors Background Information Package.
● Read over the Board of Directors Background Information Package (outlining background on Environment Hamilton as an organization; description of board member duties and responsibilities; description of board committees; listing of key Environment Hamilton annual events; and short biographical descriptions of current board members).
● Fill out the application form and either submit the completed PDF to [email protected]
● Applications are due by September 12th, 2022 at 5pm.
● All applicants will be contacted by the Board Nominations Committee to confirm receipt. 

How does the application, nominations, and elections process work? 
● Two current board members are seeking re-election for another term: Amy Angelo and Nina Tran. Three other members have reached the end of their terms and will be stepping down: Andy Coltman, Leanne Grieves, and Christine Yachouh. One interim member is moving to an ex officio position: Don McLean. As a result, there are four vacant positions to fill.
● The Board Nominating Committee organizes the recruitment, nominations, and elections process. This committee is made up of current board members who are not up for re-election this year (for another term) and outgoing board members or EH members.
● This committee reviews all of the applications and selects the required number of individuals to nominate and recommend for election to the membership
ahead of the AGM (the Board Nominations Committee's 'endorsed slate').
● The Board Nominations Committee considers the following when deciding who to endorse: Would this person meet the minimum requirements for joining the board? Would this person bring skills to the board that we are lacking? Would this person bring knowledge and experiences to the board that we are lacking? Does this person have a history of organizing around environmental justice or social justice issues in the community? What links does this person have to other activist groups, organizations, and the Hamilton community at large that could be beneficial to Environment Hamilton? Would this person be able to fulfill board member responsibilities and serve as a positive advocate of the organization in the city?
● As part of the application process, each applicant is asked to provide a short bio. The bios of all nominated applicants will be compiled into a list and circulated to the full membership ahead of the AGM for members to review.

● Save the date: The 2022 AGM will take place via Zoom on Thursday, September 29th, 2022, 7:00-8:30pm. All candidates who are nominated for a board position will have the opportunity to provide a short speech (1 minute in length) to the membership at the AGM. Please make every effort to attend.
● Voting will take place at the AGM through an online form.
● The results of the election will be shared via e-blast with the full membership the following day (September 30th).

Please note:

● We encourage applications from people with a range of skills and experiences. We wish to emphasize that personal involvement in the community is valued above academic credentials or professional experience. We are looking for Board members who have a history of organizing and activism around social justice issues and have strong connections with people in their neighbourhood and the city as a whole.
● We believe the Board will be most effective in its efforts to support Environment Hamilton in advocating for environmental justice in our city if the composition of the Board reflects the diversity of the Hamilton community. We encourage applications from Black, Indigenous, and other racialized people, people with disabilities, low-income people, queer and trans people, and women.

Please consider becoming a monthly or one-time donor to Environment Hamilton. Your contribution helps us to continue to do the important environmental work that we do right here in Hamilton. CLICK HERE to donate now!