The Southern Alberta Chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society’s mission is to protect and conserve the vital ecological function of Southern Alberta’s public lands and waters, and doing so in a way that advances reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. We work toward these goals through education, engagement, and collaboration with Albertans of all backgrounds.
Position Summary — Volunteer Member, Board of Directors
If you are passionate about protecting Southern Alberta’s lands and waters, and if you are seeking an opportunity to support a dedicated team of environmental professionals, this could be a rewarding role for you.
The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Southern Alberta Chapter (CPAWS Southern Alberta) is seeking one or more volunteers with financial expertise to serve on its Board of Directors. Ideally, candidates will have the following qualifications and experience:
- A CPA designation and 3 or more years experience in finance, accounting, or management
- A CFRE designation and/or 3 or more years experience in fundraising or fund development
The CPAWS Southern Alberta Board of Directors is responsible for the governance and financial oversight of the Southern Alberta chapter and works collaboratively with the CPAWS National Board of Directors. New directors are asked to commit to a three-year term following their election to the position at the 2026 Annual General Meeting in September 2026.
Directors are required to be members of CPAWS Southern Alberta at the time of their election and throughout their term of office. Any person who has donated any amount to CPAWS Southern Alberta with the past 18 months is considered a member.
The full CPAWS Southern Alberta Board of Directors meets five times per year (typically online). Directors are also encouraged to join one of the board committees (in this case, the finance committee), which meet bimonthly.
CPAWS Southern Alberta is committed to supporting a diverse community of conservation advocates and it seeks to nurture a healthy, resilient, wild Alberta. It recognizes that decolonization and social justice are at the heart of conservation. The protection of Alberta’s landscape depends on inclusive conservation efforts, reducing barriers and amplifying diverse voices in conservation.
Responsibilities:
- Attend and prepare for board meetings (5 times per year)
- Attend the annual general meeting (once per year)
- Adhere to confidentiality and conflict of interest agreements pertaining to governance and finance oversight
- Review and approve the chapter’s risk management plan and contribute to development of other chapter policies.
- Participate in donor engagement and fund development as needed
- Guide the development and implementation of strategic plans
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion:
CPAWS Southern Alberta recognizes that conservation and social justice goals are intertwined and essential for a sustainable future. The organization is committed to working internally and with partners from equity-seeking communities to promote diverse voices, frame nature as a positive space for all, and remove barriers to participation in conservation. In particular, the organizationencourages applications from groups that are typically underrepresented in conservation organizations. These include, but are not limited to, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) individuals, 2SLGBTQ+ identifying individuals, persons with disabilities, and candidates from all equity seeking groups.
If you’re excited about the role, but your qualifications don’t match perfectly, we nevertheless encourage you to apply.
To Apply: Please send a resume and a note of one page or less explaining your interest in volunteering on the CPAWS Southern Alberta Board of Directors to infosab@cpaws.org by July 31, 2026.