Governance and structure
The Lifesaving Society Ontario is governed by an elected
volunteer Board of Directors with a Council of Officers and 8
activity centre councils composed of professionals in recreation,
education, business, finance, management, and medical and legal
professions. The Society's office staff provide support from the
Society's headquarters at 400 Consumers Road in Toronto.
Board of Directors
The board is composed of 15 members who govern in accordance
with the Society's mission and bylaws. Directors are elected for a
2 year term by the Society's membership at the annual general
meeting. No person or body external to the Society is entitled to
appoint any directors. Directors appoint all officers, including
council chairs and area chairs, and review and approve all activity
centre objectives.
Council of Officers
The Council of Officers is composed of 16 people, 2 representing
each Activity Centre Council. Council of Officer members are
nominated by the respective Activity Centre Council and appointed
by the board to 2 year terms.
The Council of Officers is chaired by the president. The Council
of Officers represents active, affiliate and award members; manages
topics not assigned to a single activity centre (e.g., governance
review) or topics that are the responsibility of multiple activity
centre councils (e.g., leadership review); monitors the work of the
board. Any member of the Society may attend and speak at Council of
Officers meetings.
Activity Centre Councils
Activity centre councils take the lead role and manage the
business of their respective activity centre. Activity centre
council chairs oversee specific portfolios necessary to manage the
work of the activity centre. Chairs recruit and develop committee
members.
Each activity centre is chaired by the related vice president or
another individual appointed by the Board of Directors. Activity
centre portfolio chairs are appointed by the board for 2 year
terms. Any member of the Society may attend and speak at activity
centre council meetings.
The Activity Centres are:
- Training Program
- Public Education
- Aquatic Safety Management Services
- Lifesaving Sport
- Drowning Research
- Member Services
- Area Services
- Fundraising