Board-specific processes and requirements
Toronto Atmospheric Fund (TAF) Board of Directors
The board-specific requirements set out below reflect the requirements approved by Council in April 2011.
Agency profile
The Toronto Atmospheric Fund (TAF) was established in 1991 to assist the City of Toronto in meeting its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In 2000, TAF's mandate was expanded to include the promotion of better air quality.
TAF is governed by the Toronto Atmospheric Fund Act and the Relationship Framework with the City of Toronto.
TAF's mandate includes the promotion of global climate stabilization through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, local air quality, energy conservation and efficiency, public understanding of global warming and its implications for the urban environment, and related research and technology development.
Board responsibilities
TAF manages a multi-million dollar endowment ($23 million contribution) from the City of Toronto and uses its investment revenue to provide loans and grants both to community organizations and to City programs to support activities related to TAF's mandate of improving air quality and energy conservation.
The duties of the TAF Board of Directors include:
- establishing Committees, including an investment committee to advise the board
- approving of all loans and grants in accordance with established policy and legislation
Term of office
Four years.
Composition
The Board consists of at least 11 members:
- one of whom shall be the Mayor or a designate appointed by the Mayor
- at least 3 members of Council
- 7 citizen members
Qualifications
In addition to the general eligibility requirements set out in the Public Appointments Policy, board members should collectively have the following experience or knowledge:
- understanding of strategic energy efficiency and green energy market opportunities
- experience and knowledge of environmental affairs from an academic or non governmental perspective, especially in the areas of air quality and climate change
- experience managing public charities, public or private foundations, community trusts, or other government grant programs
- marketing expertise, such as knowledge of demographic trends that affect consumer choice, in order to advise in community program design and delivery
- financial management and investment expertise, including experience in portfolio management and strategic investing, and
- legal expertise, in order to advise on legal problems and issues related to TAF's activities, when they arise.
Meetings
Meetings are generally held quarterly, with an Annual General Meeting
Remuneration
No remuneration is paid to board members
Nomination process - advertised recruitment
The citizen members are recruited through City-wide media advertising and eligible candidates are screened against Council approved qualifications by a City staff team. The Civic Appointments Committee selects a short list of candidates, conducts interviews or other means of selecting appointees, and nominates candidates as members and the Chair of the Board for appointment by City Council.