Board of Directors

Chinese and Southeast Asian Legal Clinic; Toronto; On-site; CAD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-based legal organization in Toronto is seeking dedicated volunteers for its Board of Directors. Members are required to attend virtual meetings, serve on committees, and ensure accountability to the communities served. Commitment to the organization's mission is essential, along with experience on a non-profit board considered a plus. Ideal candidates understand the social issues faced by the Asian community. Applications are due by September 30, 2025.

Qualifications

• Commitment to the Clinic's mission and values.
• Experience on non-profit board an asset.
• Knowledge of legal clinic system and social issues faced by the Asian community.

Responsibilities

• Attending monthly board meetings.
• Serving on at least one committee.
• Contributing to strengthen the operations and governance.

Job description

Overview

Chinese and Southeast Asian Legal Clinic (CSALC) is a non-profit, community based organization whose mandate is to provide free legal services to low income, non-English speaking people from the Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodian and Laotian communities in Toronto.

CSALC provides free legal advice and referrals primarily in the areas of immigration, tenants' rights, employment standards law, human rights and income maintenance appeals. In some situations, we may legally represent clients with legal issues in an area of law that we practice if they meet our financial eligibility and geographic criteria.

We are committed to educating those in the communities we serve about their legal rights and also empowering them through public legal education which we organize ourselves or in conjunction with community agencies. We also produce a variety of multilingual brochures on areas of law affecting our clients.

Our Clinic serves the wider community at large by acting as an important resource centre. We also assist agencies serving similar clientele in their delivery of services by providing training seminars for front-line service providers on a wide range of legal issues.

Advocating for law reform is another one of our Clinic's priorities and as such, we are involved in making submissions before various levels of governments regarding proposed changes to legislation or challenging existing legislation which affects marginalized and disadvantaged groups. We work in coalition with other community based organizations to advocate for legal changes which will benefit the communities we serve.

CSALC is funded by Legal Aid Ontario (LAO), and is a member of ACLCO (the Association of Community Legal Clinics of Ontario). For more information about the Clinic, visit

CSALC is currently seeking new members to join our Board of Directors.

CSALC's Board of Directors are volunteers elected by our members on an annual basis. The Board of Directors are chosen to reflect the diverse communities we serve. Each board term is 2 years. On average, board members generally make a commitment of 2 to 3 volunteer hours each month. Board members are not remunerated.

Board Responsibilities

• Attending monthly board meetings (all meetings are currently virtual)
• Attending Annual General Meeting (October) and Annual retreat (TBD)
• Serving on at least one committee (for example : policy & governance, finance, personnel, strategic planning, nomination, training and recruitment)
• Providing direction on policy and budgetary issues
• Contributing to strengthen the operations and governance of the Clinic
• Ensuring that the Clinic's services remain relevant to the needs of the communities it serves and that the Clinic is accountable to these communities
• Keeping up-to-date on important issues in the community and understanding issues related to access to justice

Requirements / Qualifications

• Commitment to the Clinic's mission and values
• Experience on non-profit board an asset
• Knowledge of legal clinic system, social services and social issues faced by the Asian community as asset

Desired Skills & Experience

Finance, Accounting, Community & Social Services, Legal Services, Non-Profit.

We welcome individuals with legal and non-legal backgrounds who have an understanding of the communities that we serve.

Interested in joining our Board of Directors?

To apply, please email a current resume and a brief statement outlining your interest in serving on the Board to Christine Dang, Executive Director at by

September 30, 2025