Vancouver & Lower Mainland
Multicultural Family Support Services Society
Let’s Work Together to End Family Violence
Dear
Thank you for your interest in exploring membership on the Board of Directors of the Vancouver & Lower Mainland Multicultural Family Support Services Society (VLMFSS).
The VLMFSS is a not-for-profit registered charity in the province of British Columbia dedicated to providing culturally sensitive support services to immigrant, refugee and visible minority women and their families who are facing family violence. Since 1991, the VLMFSS has provided support services to over 40,000 children and families experiencing domestic violence.
The VLMFSS is mandated to serve across Metro Vancouver providing a variety of essential programs and services including but not limited to the following:
- Multicultural Outreach and Stopping the Violence Programs: Individual counselling, advocacy, in/out of office support and over the phone by bilingual/bicultural workers in more than 20 languages; group counselling and support to women survivors of abuse; crisis intervention; referrals to culturally-appropriate resources; volunteer’s training; supervising practicum students.
- Community Based Victim Services: Information and assistance in accessing the justice system, court preparation and accompaniment, liaison with lawyers/Crown Counsel and ongoing emotional support.
- Children’s programs: PEACE and CAPC programs provide individual and group counselling for children/youth who have witnessed abuse; support to their mothers; parent/child conflict; bi-cultural parenting groups; anti-violence workshops in schools.
- Education and Consultation: Educational programs within ethno-specific communities; presentations on culturally responsive interventions and workshops on family violence to professionals working with immigrant and refugee families; developing anti-violence material focussed on models of support from a cross-cultural perspective.
In order to meet the challenges and effectively lead this dynamic organization, the VLMFSS requires candidates who can provide the leadership and strategic direction at the Board of Director level.
The VLMFSS Board is made up of non-profit and private sector professionals and other individuals who are predominantly immigrants themselves and who have made a commitment to be involved and assist with governing the society. Some of the skills the VLMFSS is looking for in individuals include leadership, governance and policy, fundraising, strategic business planning, finance and communications.
Directors are elected for a one-year term and we currently do not have term limits.The Board meets every six weeks and a typical Board meeting lasts two and a half hours. Directors are expected to make every effort to attend all Board meetings either in person or by phone. Preparation time and committee work may take one to two hours per month.
Being part of the VLMFSS Board of Directors will offer you an opportunity to take a leadership role in the community while utilizing your skills in a meaningful and fun way. In addition, the opportunity for professional networking, development and training will allow you to enhance your community profile and be a part of the movement to prevent and end domestic violence.
If you feel that you can provide the leadership and possess some of the skills and competencies outlined, and are interested in applying to serve as a Director of the VLMFSS, please complete the questionnaire and attach a short biography or resume. The Nominating Committee will review your application and I would be happy to arrange a meeting with you as soon as possible.
I urge you to consider applying and supporting the Vancouver & Lower Mainland Multicultural Family Support Services Society.
Regards,
Fiona York
President, VLMFSS Board of Directors