Personnel is defined as “the body of persons employed in a service or by an organization.” It is also defined as “an organizational department charged with the administration and hiring of employees.” (Random House Dictionary, 1978.)

The Board has a commitment to act as a responsible employer, by adopting effective personnel management practices. The personnel policies help to guide the management of your human resources in order to carry out the mission. A board Personnel Committee can effectively:

• advise the board on personnel issues
• act on the board’s behalf on all matters related to paid and unpaid personnel.

One of your Committee’s primary duties will be to put all personnel practices in writing in the form of a Personnel Policy Manual, which should be reviewed each year. Try to involve those who will be affected by the policies rather than producing a set of edicts from on high. By gathering information on your unwritten practices as well as seeking out other non-profit personnel handbooks, you will be able to draft an outline for your Personnel Policy Manual. The Personnel Policy Manual will become more complete over time but it is important to start with something basic and meaningful.

• We have a Personnel Policy Manual.
• Our Personnel Policy Manual is reviewed every year.
• We have a Personnel Committee.
• We have a system of orienting staff and volunteers
• We ask all paid and unpaid personnel to sign a statement that they have read and understood the personnel policies.
• We have a specific procedure for bringing forward amendments to the Personnel Policy Manual.
• We have a system for circulating personnel policy updates.
• We are aware of the federal and provincial legislation which applies to our organization.
• We need to: