Committee and Board Member Recruitment

The Agricultural Advisory Committee provides agricultural perspectives and advice to the Township of Springwater on issues affecting the agricultural community, relevant legislation and policies, agricultural and rural policy directions, public awareness and education initiatives, and other matters referred by Council. The Committee meets minimum 3 times per year.

For more details, view the Terms of Reference. 

The Cultural and Heritage Advisory Committee is committed to the preservation of historical, cultural and natural heritage within the Township. The Committee advises Council on all matters regulated through legislation, and provides public awareness and promotes heritage conservation, celebrate and leverage the Township's unique cultural resources to build a shared identity and future prosperity in Springwater. This includes the heritage designation of properties, maintaining the Heritage Register and Inventory, and reviewing planning matters that relate to heritage. The Committee meets minimum 4 times per year.

For more details, view the Terms of Reference. 

The Committee of Adjustment is a statutory committee guided by the Planning Act that considers applications for consents and minor variances. The Committee of Adjustment meets monthly as required.

For more details, view the Terms of Reference. 

The Elmvale District High School Donation Fund Ad Hoc Committee provides enhancements that benefit both students and the local community, focusing on improvements exceeding those covered by the Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB). As an overarching outcome, the Committee will provide recommendation(s) to Township Council for the release of the EDHS donation funds. The Committee meets monthly as required.

For more details, view the Terms of Reference. 

The Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee is established by the County of Simcoe, the Townships of Springwater, Tay, Oro-Medonte and Adjala-Tosorontio, in accordance with Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001, and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. The Committee acts as an advisory body in accordance with both Acts and all related standards. The Committee will also:

• Provide input on the preparation of the Multi-Year Accessibility Plans for consideration by the respective municipal Council.
• Advise on major accessibility issues related to the significant renovation, operation, purchase or lease of buildings or structures or parts of buildings or structures used as municipal buildings with special attention to those that the public are encouraged to utilize through the review of site plans and drawings as described within the Planning Act that the Committee selects as outlined in the Site Plan Review Guideline document.
• Advise on opportunities with respect to the identification and removal of barriers to persons with disabilities at facilities owned or operated by the municipalities.
• Advise on ways to improve opportunities for persons with disabilities with respect to programs and services offered by the municipalities.
• Perform other functions that are specified in the Regulations of the Acts

For more details, view the Terms of Reference. 

If you have a background in the agricultural industry, we invite you to consider serving as a Livestock Investigator. Livestock Investigators respond to the loss of Livestock Claims by farmers in the Township to determine the value of claim to be awarded, in consideration of the evidence presented, and submit a report to the Township for processing, in accordance with the Livestock, Poultry and Honey Bee Protection Act. Livestock Investigators receive an honorarium of $55.00 per call, plus mileage, and are provided with a camera for the recording of evidence when compiling claims. 

The Property Standards Committee fulfills the statutory duties set out in sections 15.1 to 15.8 of the Building Code Act, including hearing and deciding appeals of Property Standards Orders in accordance with the Statutory Powers Procedure Act, applying the Township of Springwater’s Property Standards By-law, and confirming, modifying, rescinding, or extending the time for compliance with an Order. The Committee meets on an as needed basis.

For more details, view the Terms of Reference. 

The Springwater Public Library Board seeks to provide a comprehensive and efficient public library service that reflects the community's needs. They are legal corporations with the authority to make policy and to govern the Library’s affairs under the Public Libraries Act, RSO 1990, c. P.44. A Board’s duty is to provide comprehensive, effective and efficient public library service that reflects the community’s needs and builds community capacity.

The Public Library Act requires that you be:

• at least 18 years old;
• a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
• a resident of the Township of Springwater or a contracting municipality; and
• not employed by the Springwater Township Public Library or the Township of Springwater.

The responsibilities of the Library Board are:

• Sets the mission, vision, and strategic direction for the Library that reflects the community’s needs;
• Makes policy within the framework of government legislation and regulations;
• Oversees the library’s finances in accordance with public accounting principles and requirements and within municipal budget policy and procedures;
• Monitors overall effectiveness of the library in meeting community needs in an efficient and effective manner and evaluate progress on the strategic plan;
• Hires and evaluates a qualified Chief Executive Officer to implement the strategic plan and to manage the day-to-day delivery of public service and daily operations of the library; and
• Advocates for the Library in the community.

As a member of the library Board, a member must act honestly and in good faith and in the best interests of the library. This means the interests of the library take precedence over personal interests or those of any group with which the member is associated and/or may favour.

Along with the governance, legal and fiscal roles, Library Board members are expected to support and participate in community engagement by:

• Sustaining the library as an essential community service
• Advocates for the library’s role in the community
• Maintain an open dialogue with the community
• Build strong relationships with municipal council
• Be aware of the municipal planning context
• Develop strategic partnerships with community groups and leaders.

The ideal Board Member may have skills in the following areas: 

• Strategic planning
• Human resource management
• Policy and governance
• Knowledge of arts and culture
• Legal expertise
• Innovation and entrepreneurial mindset
• Financial management, budgeting (operational and capital), risk management
• Marketing/communications/fundraising
• Community involvement and/or advocacy
• Team player/collaboration
• Commitment to Intellectual Freedom
• Experience in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
• Experience with technology for virtual meetings, Microsoft etc.
• A passion for libraries and what they can achieve.

Core Competencies:

• Belief that the Public Library provides a unique and essential service to all citizens;
• Ability to seek and listen to input from all stakeholders;
• Ability to approach people and problems with an open mind;
• Ability to actively participate in discussion and deliberation and to attain positive outcomes;
• Willingness to learn; and
• Time and energy.

In addition, each Board member is expected to prepare for and attend Board meetings, participate in Board Committees and Board training and stay apprised of library and community trends.

The Library Board holds 10 regular meetings a year which are usually 1 to 2 hours in length. Board members are expected to participate in Board Committees such as Finance, Policy and Governance, and CEO Evaluation. These committees meet up to 10 times a year, for approximately 1 hour each meeting. There is preparation time to read reports and Board/Committee packages and other information.

Board members are encouraged to represent the library on external bodies and committees such as the Ontario Library Service Board Assembly or the Ontario Library Board Association. Board members are required to attend onboarding provided by the Library’s management team and Board training provided by the above organizations. Time commitments may vary. Public Library Board positions are for four years, concurrent with the Township of Springwater Council, until the next Board is appointed.

Board members receive $40 honorarium for each regular Board meeting attended. Mileage and expenses are paid if attending meetings or training outside of the Township of Springwater.

For complete details, view the Terms of Reference.

The Springwater Library Board Member application requires additional information prescribed by legislation and is submitted using a downloadable form.