1.1.9 Board of Directors Recognition and Reimbursement Policy

POLICY TYPE: 1.0 Administrative Policies \ 1.1 Fair Treatment
EFFECTIVE DATE: 2025-08-11	LAST REVISED:
THIS POLICY APPLIES TO: Contractors – Individuals engaged to provide services under a contract with SelfDesign Learning Foundation Support Providers – Individuals engaged under a contract or agreement with SelfDesign Learning Foundation to provide services for a specific learner Families – Learners and parents(s)/guardian(s) of learners participating in SelfDesign Learning Foundation’s programs Volunteers – Individuals providing goods/services under the terms of an agreement with SelfDesign Learning Foundation Board Members – Members of the Board of Directors for SelfDesign Learning Foundation and the Foundation for SelfDesign (FSD)

Policy Statement

SelfDesign Learning Foundation (SDLF) is committed to providing financial acknowledgement to Board Members to recognize their time and contributions and enable engagement, while maintaining fiscal responsibility and adherence to the B.C. Societies Act and the Income Tax Act (Canada). This acknowledgement may include annual recognition payments, participation support payments, expense reimbursement, leadership grants related to specific duties, and stipends.

Definitions

None / Term – definition

Policy

SelfDesign Learning Foundation will provide financial acknowledgement to Board Members to recognize their time and contributions and enable engagement, while maintaining fiscal responsibility and adherence to the B.C. Societies Act and the Income Tax Act (Canada).

Purpose

To define the guidelines for providing recognition and reimbursement to volunteer SelfDesign Learning Foundation (“SDLF”) Board of Directors members (“Board Members”) while ensuring alignment with industry best practices and regulatory compliance in the province of British Columbia.

Why

SDLF aims to recruit and retain skilled, experienced and diverse Board Members. We acknowledge that in order to steward the organization in a meaningful way requires exceptional time and capacity from Board Members. Recognition payments and reimbursements are intended to facilitate suitable candidate recruitment, support active participation and retention, and ensure Board Members are not financially burdened for out-of-pocket expenses incurred while fulfilling their duties.

Authority

The SDLF Board of Directors has the authority to create and approve this policy and has the responsibility to ensure it follows the principles as outlined below.

Principles

The recognition and reimbursement policy is guided by the following principles:

Equity & Fairness: Recognition payments and reimbursements should be fair and acknowledge the expertise, time, and responsibilities required of the volunteer Board Members.
Transparency: The process for determining and distributing recognition payments and reimbursements should be clear and publicly defensible.
Alignment: Board recognition payment and reimbursement decisions should align with SDLF’s fiduciary duties and long-term sustainability.
Reasonableness: As a registered charity, SDLF must ensure that any compensation to its Board Members for their services is reasonable and does not confer an undue benefit on them.