Position Overview:

Ajax Soccer Club is seeking a knowledgeable and reliable Legal Counsel to provide legal guidance, risk management, and policy support to our leadership team. The Legal Counsel will assist in ensuring that the club’s activities, policies, contracts, and governance comply with applicable laws and best practices, helping to protect the club, its volunteers, and its members.

This role is critical to safeguarding the club’s integrity and supporting its mission to provide a positive, organized soccer experience for the community.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide legal advice and support to the Board of Directors, Executive team, and staff on various matters, including contracts, waivers, player/parent issues, and disciplinary actions.

• Review, draft, and negotiate contracts and agreements (e.g., vendor contracts, sponsorship agreements, facility leases, employment/volunteer agreements).

• Assist with the development and updating of club policies, bylaws, and codes of conduct to ensure legal compliance and organizational best practices.

• Advise on risk management issues, including insurance coverage, player safety policies, and incident response.

• Represent or advise the club in the event of disputes, disciplinary hearings, or legal claims.

• Stay informed about changes to laws and regulations affecting nonprofit organizations and youth sports clubs.

• Support annual reviews of governance documents and compliance checklists.

Additional Information:

• This is a volunteer or honorarium-based position (to be discussed).

• Estimated time commitment varies, with flexibility around peak seasons and special projects.

DUTIES OF THE BOARD

1) the overall governance of the affairs of DRCC

2) formulating, revising and/or adopting the mission, vision and values of DRCC

3) creating, implementing and evaluating a strategic plan;

4) establishing a process and schedule for monitoring and assessing performance in areas of Board responsibility including the strategic plan, financial health and risk and the board’s own effectiveness;

5) approving financial policies; monitoring financial performance, and approving the annual budget and audited financial statements;

6) ensuring regulatory and legal compliance;

7) recruiting and supporting the Chief executive (Executive Director); approving the Chief executive’s annual performance goals and evaluating performance; ensuring a succession plan is in place;

8) being knowledgeable about risks inherent in the operations of DRCC and using risk analysis as part of Board decision-making;

9) establishing governance structures and processes to facilitate the performance of the Board’s role and enhance individual director performance;

10) recruiting skilled, experienced and qualified Board Directors; ensuring ongoing Board training and education.

Provide oversite as a board member for social housing, monthly meetings. Work with the property management company to insure all aspects of the building are addressed. 

As a board member, you will be required to:
- Be an advocate for the organization.
- Attend quarterly board meetings – please note that currently most of the meetings are held online and when in person, they are held in the Oshawa area.
- Actively serve on at least one Board committee and support committee initiatives.
- Attend and support fundraising and project initiatives when possible.

We are particularly interested in board members with the following:
- Experience in finance and accounting; a licensed Chartered Public Accountant is an asset.
- Expertise and experience in Human Resources.
- Legal expertise, particularly in non-profit law.
- Fundraising experience and expertise.
- Lived experience that aligns with our mission, i.e., cultural education, community empowerment, and social justice.
- Any experience or expertise in DEIA is considered an asset.

Volunteer Board Members Welcome

FOOTPRINTS 4 Autism is a nonprofit registered charity serving Durham Region. We offer respite and recreational programs for families with children and youth on the autism spectrum.  We are currently growing from a Steering Committee to a Governance Board, and looking for new members to join our Board.

We need Board members in the following areas: Marketing, Communications, Fund Development, Finance and Secretary. For a 2-year commitment.

Board meetings are held once-a-month in Whitby. We have a virtual option as well. Members can choose roles in Marketing & Communications, Fund Development, Finance, Human Resources and ad-hoc Project sub-committees.

These roles can be rewarding to anyone from lawyers, insurance agents, marketing and advertising to accountants, fundraisers, administration, and community minded people, to name a few.  

Interested in volunteering?  We would love to hear from you.  Please send resume to:

chair@footprints4autism.org

Have questions?  Call Sandra at 905-420-0388   ext. 1