Board-specific processes and requirements
Heritage Toronto Board of Directors
Updated to reflect the Relationship Framework adopted by City Council:
- October 2009 (Item EX35.1) with respect to the responsibilities and structure of the board of directors and the qualifications of members appointed to the board
Agency profile
Heritage Toronto is a charitable organization that works with the citizens of Toronto to advocate for, preserve, and promote a greater appreciation for our city's rich heritage. Through partnerships with local community groups and volunteers, Heritage Toronto works to heighten awareness of our shared history by providing city-wide programs and services.
Programs include free neighbourhood walking tours, the annual Heritage Toronto Awards and William Kilbourn Memorial Lecture, a heritage plaques and markers program and participation in Doors Open Toronto.
Heritage Toronto is governed by the Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 103, Heritage. As an arm's length agency of the City of Toronto, it holds charitable status with Canada Customs and Revenue Agency.
Board responsibilities
The Board of Directors:
- provides advice from a community perspective to the City, civic organizations and members of the public regarding heritage issues
- promotes and educates the public regarding heritage issues
- ensures that any privately donated funds received are applied to the specific purpose designated by the donor
- establishes and manages publicity and public programs, including awards programs, respecting city-wide heritage issues and to otherwise promote public awareness of the city's heritage
- serves as a liaison with the heritage community and promotes public awareness of the city's heritage resources
- serves as a focal point for volunteer sector groups
- assists and advises in the development of the Heritage Master Plan
- carries out such other duties relating to the city's history and development as City Council may assign
Board members also chair and sit on the Board's standing committees: Audit & Finance, Branding, Communications, Fundraising, Heritage Conservation, Plaques & Markers, and Programs.
Term of office
Four years.
Composition
The Board consists of 29 members:
- the Mayor or a designate appointed by the Mayor
- 3 members of Council appointed by City Council
- 25 citizen members as follows:
- (8) 2 members nominated by each community council from the Museum Board the Preservation Panels or interested citizens
- 15 citizen members
- 1 member nominated by Toronto Historical Association
- 1 member nominated by the Aboriginal Community
Qualifications
In addition to the general eligibility requirements set out in the Public Appointments Policy, board members should collectively represent a range of expertise including:
- broad interest in and knowledge of cultural and/or environmental and/or built heritage preservation, and a good understanding of current heritage issues
- expertise in good governance practices, including legal and accounting expertise
- an understanding of marketing, advertising and, public relations
- expertise in public programming from experience in education, tourism, planning or museum management
- expertise in fund development, or
- expertise in history
Meetings
The Board meets at least six times a year and at any time at the request of a majority of the members of the Board, or at the call of the Chair.
Remuneration
No remuneration is paid to board members
Nomination orocess - invitation, advertised recruitment and interest group
- Invitation
Each of the 4 Community Councils may extend an invitation to serve on the Heritage Toronto Board to 2 persons who are either serving on one of the city's museum boards or preservation panels or the Toronto Preservation Board or otherwise select a citizen active in the heritage community. - Advertised recruitment
Fifteen (15) citizens are recruited through City-wide media advertising. Heritage Toronto Staff screen applications against defined qualifications. A Heritage Toronto Nominating Panel appointed by the Board, comprised of 2 Councillors appointed to Heritage Toronto Board, a past Chair of Heritage Toronto, 1 member of the Heritage Toronto Board and 1 dues-paying member selected by the Board, but not serving on the Board, determine the short-list of qualified candidates, conduct interviews and recommend nominations. - Interest group
The Heritage Toronto Nominating Panel also arranges for the nomination of 1 Aboriginal nominee by the Aboriginal community and 1 nominee by the Historical Association.
All of the above nominations (invitation, interest group and advertised) are forwarded to the City`s Civic Appointments Committee for recommendation to Council for approval.