Become a caisse director
Serving on your caisse’s board of directors means using your experience to advocate for our members and communities, ensuring their needs remain at the core of every decision.
About the director position
In March or April, at the caisse’s annual general meeting (AGM), members elect their representatives for a 3-year term on the board of directors.
The board focuses on the interests of members, of the caisse and of Desjardins Group. Newly elected directors have access to an orientation and integration program, mandatory training, and a variety of other tools to help them understand their roles.
Share your expertise
Join a collective force of 2,400 people
Represent members in decision-making
Seeking diverse candidates
Each caisse’s board of directors sets targets for skills and representation to ensure it can fulfill its responsibilities. The board’s composition is meant to reflect members and the community, comprising people with a wide range of skills and of different genders, cultures and ages. Directors can have experience in a variety of areas, including customer service, legal services, cooperatives, accounting and business management. For details on open positions and target profiles, refer to your caisse’s nomination form.
I think it’s very important for the board to represent our community by including older folks, younger folks, members of racialized groups and both men and women.
Main duties
- Understand and meet the needs of caisse members
- Analyze, make decisions and monitor caisse matters
- Ensure that the caisse is managed in a sound and prudent manner in compliance with legal and regulatory frameworks
- Protect the organization’s long-term success while upholding Desjardins’s mission, values and cooperative nature
- Make sure that the caisse contributes to responsible and sustainable development in the community
What’s involved?
Directors serve a 3-year term and receive compensation in recognition of their duties and responsibilities. Meetings may take place either in person or online. Here’s a rough idea of how many times the board meets.
Board meetings
Approximately 10 per yearBoard committee meetings
Approximately 4 per yearFederation meetings
Approximately 4 per year
Board of directors
Each caisse has a board of directors of up to 15 people who work to address the needs of caisse members. The board plays a central role in caisse governance and development.
Responsibilities
Identifying members’ needs
The board of directors ensures that there are different ways for the caisse and Desjardins to meet members’ needs and that the organization understands these needs.
Managing performance to address members’ needs
The board of directors represents members, and ensures that all decisions reflect the interests of members and Groupe coopératif Desjardins. It ensures that current and future members’ needs are met, that they are satisfied and that they have support to become financially empowered. In accordance with Desjardins’s priorities, it adopts and oversees the caisse’s business plan and the associated budget.
Protecting members and the caisse
The board of directors ensures that members and the caisse are well protected. It ensures that the caisse is managed in a sound and prudent manner in accordance with risk management and compliance governance documents.
Overseeing general management and employees
The board of directors appoints the general manager, assesses their performance and monitors their development. It ensures that governance documents and human resource management programs are strictly followed.
Contributing to community development
The board of directors adopts priorities related to the community involvement and partnership plan so that the caisse can contribute to sustainable community development.
Ensuring effective governance
The board of directors assesses its performance and takes the necessary steps to define and satisfy the diversity of nomination criteria. It also reports on its activities at the annual general meeting and ensures that all board members complete their training. It oversees compliance with Desjardins’s Code of Professional Conduct and other governance documents.
We’re a group of dedicated directors who meet with organizations and funding partners face to face and support meaningful, community-driven projects.
How to apply
Are you interested in becoming a caisse director? Have a look at the eligibility criteria and call for nominations to find out how to apply.
Eligibility
- You’ve been a member of your caisse for at least 90 days prior to the annual general meeting (AGM)
- You live, work, or have a permanent address in Quebec
- You’re 18 or older
- You do not work for Desjardins Group
To learn more about the director position and see all the eligibility criteria, refer to the Information kit (PDF, 3.6, MB).
Call for nominations for your caisse
The call for nominations starts each year in the third week of January. Visit your caisse’s page to see the nomination documents and find:
- Open board positions
- Eligibility requirements
- Application deadline information
- Your caisse’s email address
Email your completed nomination form and resumé to your caisse. Make sure to submit it before the deadline on the form. You’ll receive an email confirmation a few days later. Your caisse will contact you to discuss your file.
Board Succession Program
The Board Succession Program offers caisse members a chance to learn more about how the board of directors works and to contribute to their caisse’s performance. The board of directors selects the winning candidates, who participate in board meetings and discussions, but without voting rights. This is a great chance to step up and speak for your community and experience cooperative values in action! Contact your caisse to find out when you can apply.
How the Board Succession Program works
Target profile
Each board determines its target profile based on its current and future needs.
A first step into the cooperative sector
Learn how the board of directors works and how you can contribute to your caisse’s performance.
Appointment by the board
Intern directors are expected to actively participate in meetings and discussions, but they can’t vote.
Commitment and obligations
Expectations for intern directors are the same as for regular board members, except training that is recommended but not mandatory.
1-year term
This first year will allow you to determine whether you’d be interested in becoming a board member.
Call for interest
Calls can go out any time of the year. Keep an eye on your caisse’s communications!
A rewarding experience
Expand your network and develop new skills.
Acces to director training
Intern directors have access to the same training as regular board members.
The community at the heart of their work
I work in finance, but on the board, I see all sorts of other dimensions, like governance, ethics and human resources. Things I don’t see in my everyday life.
Being the voice of our members and clients is a responsibility I really care about.
It’s gratifying to see that our work makes a real difference for entrepreneurs and organizations.