Four persons from Bruce, Grey or Simcoe Counties who bring senior level skills in the areas of tourism, along with the ability to give strategic oversight to RTO7 will be recommended to the RTO7 Board of Directors for appointment to the Board. RTO7 will respect its Commitment to inclusivity in the recruitment process of directors. All are welcome to apply. As RTO7 is a regional organization, a board composition that is balanced regionally is preferred but not required.

Ideal Candidates will possess any or all of the following desired Skills Sets relevant to tourism:

• Research
• HR/Labour Relations/Workforce Development
• Communications
• Risk Mitigation
• Media Relations
• Accounting/Finance
• Economic Development
• Organizational Leadership
• Environmental Social Governance (ESG)

RTO7’s industry-led, volunteer board is responsible for providing direction to the organization in fulfillment of the organization’s mission, which is “to work collaboratively with tourism partners and stakeholders to build, sustain and grow visitation, investment, and visitor spending.
 
RTO7 is committed to the journey towards the region becoming a preeminent Sustainable Tourism Destination. As such, our not-for-profit organization is seeking highly qualified and passionate individuals with expertise in ESG practices to join our board of directors.
 
As a board member, you will play a vital role in guiding our organization towards sustainable and ethical practices that align with our mission. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in ESG and experience in areas such as sustainability, governance, and stakeholder engagement. Responsibilities will include providing oversight and guidance on ESG matters, as well as contributing to the strategic direction of the organization. Serving on our board is an excellent opportunity to make a positive impact on our community and contribute to a worthy cause.

For information about:

• Ontario’s tourism regions: www.mtc.gov.on.ca/en/regions/regions.shtml
• RTO7’s vision is “to establish BruceGreySimcoe as Ontario’s four-­‐season destination of choice”. For information about BruceGreySimcoe, visit www.BruceGreySimcoe.com.

Important Information

These are volunteer positions. Directors are expected to have relevant board and/or management experience, leadership, skills and qualifications that would recommend them as directors of a not-for-‐profit corporation.
 
Interested individuals should: review the policy information provided (Section 1) following; and complete the application form Google Form linked here and submit along with a current C.V. (resume). All information is confidential.
 

Section 1

RTO7 Policies

Board Composition

The 7 to 11 member industry-led, volunteer board of directors is structured to provide for a board composition that is fully engaged, regionally predisposed and mission focused. Specifically, the board will be comprised of:

• Up to two members from organizations with explicit tourism mandates from each of Bruce, Grey and Simcoe Counties; for a total MAXIMUM of six members
• Up to five members who bring senior level skills in the areas of tourism, strategy, organizational leadership, risk, financial literacy or other relevant skills with the ability to give strategic oversight of RTO7 for a MAXIMUM of five members.

 
The initial term of office for three directors will be three years, with the opportunity to move to another three-year term if desired by the applicant and reappointed by the board of directors after the first term of service. The initial term of office for the fourth director will be one year with the opportunity to move to a three-year term if desired by the applicant and reappointed by the board of directors after the first year of service. Directors who wish to extend their service to the board must be re-appointed to the board by a majority vote of the sitting Board of Directors.
 

Expectations

• Directors serve in a voluntary capacity and must be prepared to make a commitment of active service involving monthly half to full-day board and other meetings.
• Directors are expected to have relevant board and/or management experience, leadership, skills, and qualifications that would recommend them as directors of a non-profit corporation.

Responsibilities of Directors

• TO REPRESENT THE REGION AS A WHOLE AND TO PROVIDE INPUT AND ARRIVE AT DECISIONS BASED ON WHAT IS BEST FOR THE REGION, NOT WHAT IS BEST FOR A CLUSTER, EXPERIENCE, GEOGRAPHIC AREA, ETC.
• Support the objectives and interests of RTO7, and conform with its by-laws, values, and policies.
• Understand and actively participate in defining and directing the mission and objectives of RTO7 and support the achievement of its goals.
• Be informed of the legislative and other articles under which RTO7 exists and its by-laws, mandate, and policies.
• Exercise in the performance of their duties the degree of care, diligence and skill required of a director pursuant to the by-laws under which RTO7 is incorporated.
• Adhere to established standards of conduct and ethics.
• Attend and actively participate in meetings and discussions by providing candid and constructive advice and input.
• Be independent and impartial, participate without considerations of vested interests or personal gain, and exercise duties without reference to self-interest, outside pressure, expectation of reward, or fear of criticism.
• Know and respect the roles of the board, volunteers, staff, and vendors consistent with the principles of board governance.
• Serve on committees, working groups, and/or task forces as required.
• Maintain solidarity with fellow directors in support of decisions made by the board and respect the confidentiality of board discussions and deliberations.
• Be prepared for meetings and actively engaged during course of the meeting.
• Contribute to the decision-making process by bringing needed skills, knowledge and experience to bear on issues that serve to move the organization forward in fulfilling its mandate.
• Be in compliance with – Board of Directors Code of Conduct.
• Encourage opportunities for collaboration and determine if they meet the mandate, vision, mission, strategic and business plan.
• Understand and actively participate in the development and monitoring of the Strategy, Annual Business Plan, and the Transfer Payment Agreement with the Province of Ontario.
• Assist in identifying risks and enacting appropriate risk mitigation strategies.

RTO7 Core Values

• Collaborative
• Transparent
• Trustworthy
• Innovative
• Friendly and welcoming
• Sustainable practices
• Committed to inclusivity

Our core values reflect the foundation and character of RTO7 as an organization. We will abide by these values in determining the strategies we employ and how we govern, lead, operate and make decisions.
 
Collaborative
Collaboration means working together toward common goals. We will foster a culture of collaboration and cooperation by being easy to work with, by being inclusive, and by listening and by respecting other viewpoints. There is no place for zero-­‐sum solutions or the politics of confrontation, hierarchy, or exclusion in how we collaborate (see Standards of Conduct, below).
 
Transparent
Transparency is achieved through the full, accurate and timely disclosure of information. As an independent, publicly funded corporation we will communicate openly and proactively to ensure accountability to our stakeholders and government. We will neither pursue nor tolerate hidden agendas. Our decision-­‐ making processes – including but not limited to procurement – will reflect consistent, transparent, and objective criteria.

Trustworthy
As an organization that has embraced the values of collaboration and transparency, in our interactions with stakeholders, suppliers and others we will be ethically unyielding and honest. We will inspire trust by saying what we mean, matching our behaviours to our words, and taking responsibility for our actions.
 
Innovative
Valuing innovation means we strive to be on the leading edge. Creativity, experimentation and a willingness to ‘push the envelope’ characterize our approach to opportunities and challenges alike. Although we do not fear failure – rather, we embrace it as a means to continuously improve – we will always mitigate risks by making intelligent and disciplined decisions.
 
Friendly and welcoming
As a tourism organization we are dedicated to the essential values of hospitality that make the communities and operators of BruceGreySimcoe authentically welcoming to visitors and guests.

Sustainable practices
As a tourism organization we are dedicated to the development and promotion of the region as a sustainable destination.  The organization will establish collaborative partnerships and where none exist lead the tourism industry in the journey towards being an Inclusive and Sustainable Destination for visitors, stakeholders and the tourism labour force.

Committed to inclusivity
RTO7 is committed to foster a diverse, inclusive, and equitable organizational environment that’s free of discrimination and systemic barriers. RTO7 is also committed to fulfil its duty to accommodate persons and/or groups who request accommodations based on the prohibited grounds in the OHRC, AODA and any other related legislation in a manner that respects their dignity, and that supports them to achieve their full potential. Recruitment of directors will support Underrepresented Groups as defined by the Government of Canada Inclusive Growth Priorities.

Underrepresented Groups:

• Women
• Indigenous Peoples
• Members of Official Language Minority Communities
• Youth
• Persons with Disabilities
• Newcomers to Canada and Immigrants
• Black Communities
• Racialized Communities
• 2SLGBTQIA+

Standards of Conduct

Consistent with our values, when collaborating with organizations and individuals we will expect them to:

• Participate in good faith with the intention of producing balanced and broadly accepted results and recognize the value and contributions of other organizations and individuals.
• Focus on issues instead of positions and/or personal feelings and show respect for other organizations and individuals by demonstrating empathy and active listening. 

Code of Ethics

Consistent with our values, we have adopted the following code of ethics. At all times directors, and staff as applicable, will:

• Represent the interests of all stakeholders, and not those of a particular geographic, sector or interest group.
• Act as “trustees” of BruceGreySimcoe tourism industry interests, and endeavour to ensure that RTO7 is always operating in accordance with organizational values.
• Ensure that RTO7 is always functioning and in the best interests of stakeholders and operators by being well managed, financially secure, and successfully growing.
• Consider issues from broad interests and alternative points of view and listen carefully to the opinions and input of all stakeholders.
• Inform issues by speaking from personal perspective (i.e., “… my own organization’s / my own thinking is…”)
• Refrain from using the organization for personal advantage, or for the interests of any groups or individuals, and adhere to organizational policies regarding conflicts of interest and confidentiality.
• Address issues through appropriate board channels, and refrain from lobbying others outside of these channels that might have the effect of creating factions and/or limiting free and open discussion.
• Recognize that the role of the board of directors is to ensure that RTO7 is well managed, and that it is the responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer and staff to manage the organization.

 

Conflict of Interest

All individuals will avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest and refrain from deriving, directly or indirectly, any personal gain or profit by virtue of their position.

A conflict of interest refers to situations where personal, occupational, and/or financial considerations may affect, or appear to affect, an individual’s objectivity, judgment, or ability to act in the best interests of RTO7. A conflict of interest includes a situation in which a person associated with an initiative or any member of his or her family is able to benefit financially from his or her involvement in the initiative.

By virtue of the nature of RTO7 as an industry-­‐led organization it is recognized that individuals will often be personally engaged in tourism industry commerce. Both prior to and during their service all individuals shall openly disclose a potential, real or perceived conflict of interest as soon as the issue arises.

Should an instance arise where an individual believes they may be or appear to be in a conflict of interest, the matter should be immediately disclosed to the Chair/President (or, in the case of the Chair/President, to the Board of Directors) for discussion. If the board deems necessary it will, consistent with the requirements set out by the Ministry (see below), disclose to the Province without delay any situation that may be reasonably interpreted as either an actual or potential conflict of interest.
 
In conducting procurement RTO7 will ensure that prospective vendors declare all conflicts of interest, or any situation that may be reasonably perceived as a conflict of interest. RTO7 will reserve the right to disqualify from consideration proposals and/or terminate contractual and employment agreements that in RTO7’s opinion demonstrate a conflict of interest or breach of this policy.
 
 

How to Apply

Interested individuals should complete the Google Form application linked here and submit along with a current C.V. (resume). All information provided is confidential.

 
For further information please contact Bill Sullivan at bsullivan@rto7.ca

Deadline for submission (12:00 noon): May 17, 2024

 

Thank you for taking the time to apply for the RTO7 Board of Directors
All applicants are thanked for their interest and all applicants will be contacted.