Volunteer Boards – Is There a Better Way?

1. Volunteer Boards – Is There a Better Way? Bruce G. Matthews Real Estate Council of Ontario

2. Overview • Challenging the status quo • Characteristics of an ideal Board/Council and an ideal Board/Council member • Compensation issues • Operational issues • Recruitment issues • Education/Training issues • Q & A

3. Challenging the Status Quo • What is the status quo? • Mix of professional and public members • Nominal compensation • Travel expenses, perhaps small per diem • Misaligned interests between the individual members and the regulator • “You get the government you deserve” • 2nd Law of Thermodynamics

4. An Ideal Council/Board… • Appropriately sized • Focused • Organized • Representative • of the profession being regulated • of the population being served • Self-aware and self-correcting • Embodies good governance

5. An Ideal Council Member… • Prior Board experience • Understands policy governance • Understands meeting rules/procedures • Interests aligned with that of the regulator • Comes prepared • Engaged • committee work; meets commitments

6. Why Can’t We Have It? • What are the impediments? • Qualifications versus interest • Expectations versus reality • Legislative constraints • What can the regulator do to overcome them? • How do we attract a wider pool of candidates? Can we enhance that pool?

7. Four Areas for Attention • Compensation • Operational Issues • Recruitment • Education / Training

8. Would Pay Make a Difference? • Should Board/Council service be a purely altruistic endeavour? • The “cost” of Board/Council service • Sacrifices made by volunteers • Does the level of employer support matter? • $$ as a carrot to lure qualified candidates

9. Would Pay Make a Difference? • The “value” proposition • Do you get what you pay for? • Should compensation / reward reflect the organization’s perception of the role? • Risks • Attracting those solely interested in the $$ • “Sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander” • Heightened performance expectations

10. Operational Issues • Is your organization attractive to potential Board/Council members? • Expenses reimbursed promptly • Expenses pre-paid vs. reimbursed • Other travel policies • Staff prepared / organized / responsive • Would existing Board/Council members recommend the role to others?

11. Recruitment • Where do Council candidates come from? • What is the motivation? • Should candidates be actively recruited? • What role can the regulator play? • Nominating Committees • Perpetuating the status quo? • Managing expectations • Getting employer support

12. Education / Training • Board member training has become de rigueur • Typically delivered after a person has been elected / appointed to the Board/Council • Timing issues • What about candidate training? • Maximize the opportunity for informed, focused candidates

13. Summary • Don’t have to settle for the status quo • With effort, we can address the gaps and maximize the potential for improvement • Four areas for attention: • Compensation • Operations • Recruitment • Education / Training

14. Q & A

15. Speaker Contact Information Bruce G. Matthews Deputy Registrar, Regulatory Compliance Real Estate Council of Ontario 3250 Bloor St. W., Suite 600 Toronto, Ontario M8X 2X9 T: 416-207-5149 E: bruce.matthews@reco.on.ca