Thank you for your interest in becoming a member of the Connect First and Servus Credit Union Board of Directors. Please read through each of the sections on this page or download the entire nomination kit before submitting your candidate package.

Candidate submissions must include the following to be considered eligible:

• Candidate package*
• Your résumé
• A written statement of intent of no more than 200 words
• A completed detailed criminal records check – please contact your local police service for in-person and online options.
• Letter of Reference, ideally covering prior board experience. Letters of Reference may not be from current Connect First or Servus Credit Union employees or Directors.

Prior to submitting your candidate package, review the following documents:

• Director candidate profile
• Board functions, commitment and liability summary
• Connect First and Servus Credit Union Ltd. bylaws approved May 1, 2024
• Policy 15 Director Eligibility
• Policy 16 Election Campaign

*Documents will be provided through the candidate package.

Board members must meet the criteria set forth in the bylaws of Connect First and Servus Credit Union and the Credit Union Act.

In considering the nominations of individuals to serve on Connect First and Servus Credit Union Board of Directors, the Nominating Committee assesses applications against the following criteria defined and reviewed by the Board of Directors.

Personal attributes

Personal attributes play a pivotal role in shaping behaviour and contributing to an effective Board of Directors.

These are reflected through our behaviours and rooted in our character. Rather than a skill or what has been learnt, they are innate qualities.

On a Board, personal attributes play a role in how adeptly certain tasks can be accomplish and can also determine candidate’s suitability. For Board members, personality attributes play an important role in setting to tone for successful decision-making, relationships with other Board members, and can impact the environment overall.

Every director must adhere to the highest ethical standards and integrity, have strong interpersonal skills, as well as have values that are aligned with the credit union. Candidates must be team orientated, an independent and strategic thinker, and have strong leadership skills. In addition, candidates must be financially literate. These personal attributes are integral to the Board of Directors, and all candidates must possess them at the highest level.

The committee will also consider:

• The candidate's ability to serve in an un-biased capacity
• The candidate's desire to act in the credit union's best interests

Board leadership

Preferred candidates will have the experience necessary and be willing and able to assume leadership positions on the Board such as Board and Committee Chair, Vice Chair, and Alberta Central Board Director.

Diversity

In addition to considering skills and experience, recognition of diversity and inclusion principles are key to the sustainability of our board and organization in the long term. The Board strives to reflect diversity of thought, background, experience as well as the diversity of our membership. Diversity of thought and background leads to better decision making. Members in good standing from diverse communities and backgrounds are encouraged to apply to run for the Board of Directors.

Specific skills and experience

For the 2025 Board Election, potential candidates will be assessed on the categories in the included skills matrix with additional focus on the following criteria:

• Business transformation
• Cybersecurity
• Environmental Social Governance (ESG)
• IT/Digital/Data governance

Connect First and Servus Credit Union Board of Directors consists of 12 members from around the province, elected by the membership. Directors will be elected to a three-year term.

Functions

The Board of Directors sets policies and governs activities according to the bylaws of Connect First and Servus Credit Union bylaws and Credit Union Act. It formulates and monitors policies to ensure organizational objectives are met. It is responsible for the election of the board chair, vice chair and directors to the Credit Union Central of Alberta board from the members of the board. The Board of Directors represents the membership in governance, setting and tracking the strategic direction, monitoring appropriate organizational performance and ensuring an effective risk management framework is in place.

Commitment

The entire board meets regularly throughout the year, usually during the day, and each meeting can take up to six hours. All directors are required to sit on one or more of the following board committees: Audit and Finance, Enterprise Risk Management and Governance and Human Resources. Directors not in the final year of their term may also sit on the Nominating Committee. Committee meetings are held throughout the year and can take up to four hours each.

Directors are required to complete the director development course and are encouraged to participate in credit union education programs. Directors are expected to be computer literate and have a working knowledge of application software. Directors also represent the credit union at various functions, seminars, planning sessions and conferences. Many of these occur during weekday evenings and on weekends.

Directors must be prepared to make a substantial time commitment, which includes board and committee meeting preparation, meeting attendance, planning sessions, training, Community Council meeting attendance and travel.

Liability

Directors are individually and collectively responsible to the shareholders/members of the credit union. The Board is ultimately accountable for the actions of employees where the employees are acting within the confines of their duties whether such duties are expressed or implied within the delegated framework. Director liability insurance is provided.

Submit all your candidate packages to BoardCandidates@servus.ca or boardcandidates@connectfirstcu.com.

Candidate submissions will only be accepted electronically. Incomplete candidate packages will be returned for re-submission, if they are received before the deadline.

The Nominating Committee includes members of the Connect First and Servus Credit Union Board of Directors and external resources. The committee reviews all candidate applications and is responsible for the following:

• Assessing the experience and skills of candidates for election as director against the board-defined director criteria and taking into account the background and expertise of existing directors and the specific ongoing needs of the credit union
• Identifying, recruiting and, if considered appropriate by the Nominating Committee, recommending to members candidates for election as directors who meet the criteria established
• Conducting the election of directors in accordance with the policies and the guidelines relating to the election and the conduct of the election

The Nominating Committee will review candidate applications received and determine whether it complies with the bylaws, Act, and policies. The committee will evaluate all candidate applications and is empowered to reject any that are not in order or do not comply.

The committee will also evaluate all candidate applications that are in order for alignment with the board’s stated candidate profile. They will conduct interviews with only the candidates who have met these criteria. The committee will accept the best-aligned candidate applications up to twice the number of available positions, rejecting any others. The Board, exclusive of those directors having submitted their candidate applications, will then consider and select from those accepted candidates as recommended by the Nominating Committee. All candidates, whether accepted or rejected, will be notified accordingly.