Join The Board
Organize with the ladle
Description of Board Roles & Responsibilities
The Loaded Ladle is electing 8 - 10 board members who will envision food systems rooted in care.
The Loaded Ladle is a collective dedicated to addressing food security, sovereignty, and justice through direct action. As a board member, you will help shape the future of our collective kitchen. Board positions are open to everyone—no prior experience is required! All we ask is that you share a passion for food security, collective work, and an anti-oppressive framework.
For more information on board membership, keep scrolling or click here.
Application Process
If this application format is a barrier to your candidacy, please contact info@loadedladle.com for alternative ways to apply (oral interview, chat, etc.)
Please complete and submit your board application form by Wednesday, March 26th, 11:59pm. Your answers for Section B will be made public 48 hours before the AGM. Please be as detailed as possible, so folks get to your know you and why you are passionate about joining the board!
Anyone in the community can apply. You do not need to be a student! No previous experience necessary to join the board! All we ask is you have a passion for food security, collective work, and desire to work within an anti-oppressive framework.
Elections will take place during our Annual General Meeting (AGM) on March 30th, 2025, 10 am - 1.30 pm. For more information, visit our AGM page.
Board 101
Board 101
We will be hosting a Ladle 101 with staff and current board member(s) to talk about ladle’s structure and what being a board member looks like. Please email info@loadedladle.com if you
Board Roles and Descriptions
Board Membership Type
● The Board shall consist of 8-10 members.
● Membership requirements:
○ At least 3 members from the Dalhousie Student Union (DSU).
○ At least 1 member from the Sexton Campus (recommended).
○ At least 1 student from University of King’s College.
○ At least 1 Community Member.
Board General Requirements
Upholding the Loaded Ladle’s Mission
● Maintain the organization's core objectives and purpose.
● Follow a non-hierarchical governance structure.
● Make decisions using a consensus-based model.
● Commit to anti-oppression and food equity practices.
Visioning & Strategic Planning
● Actively participate in shaping the future direction of the Loaded Ladle.
Financial Oversight
● Approve the annual budget.
● Vote on non-budgeted purchases.
● Oversee the management of society funds and expenses.
Training & Professional Development
● Attend board training and anti-oppression training.
● Support the onboarding of new board members.
Documentation & Institutional Memory
● Attend and take turns facilitating board meetings.
● Maintain meeting minutes and send regrets if unable to attend.
● Ensure transparency and continuity of information.
● Manage and update the Loaded Ladle’s central drive.
Staff, Contracts, Voting & Committees
● Serve on at least one (1) committee during the board term.
● Oversee staff contracts and uphold fair, livable wages.
● Vote or abstain from all proposals in a timely manner.
● Ensure board participation in hiring committees and vote on hiring decisions.
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This role strengthens communication and relationships between staff and the board while
ensuring a supportive and safe environment.
Responsibilities:
● Facilitate staff-board communication and team-building.
● Organize check-ins, provide support, and share feedback.
● Ensure fair conflict resolution and documentation.
● Support onboarding and training for staff and board members.
● Improve human interaction policies using an anti-oppressive, consensus-based, and
non-hierarchical approach.
Important Note:
This role may involve managing conflicts, facilitating difficult conversations, and handling
emergencies. Experience in anti-oppression work, conflict management, or collective
decision-making is an asset.
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Help keep Loaded Ladle financially accountable and ensure student funds are used responsibly
and efficiently.
Responsibilities:
● Support yearly budget creation.
● Assist with financial presentations at the AGM.
● Contribute to financial decision-making.
● Research and write grant applications.
● Work with the Financial Coordinator to update legal and financial documents (e.g.,
registry of joint stocks, CRA).
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Help provide free meals to grassroots organizations and at social justice events. Connect with
grassroots social justice organizations in the community to amplify calls to action, and connect
ladle members with community liberation. Great for those that prioritize community work, mutual
aid, and food justice.
Responsibilities:
● Organize Solidarity Serving opportunities on and off-campus.
● Find and collaborate with community groups and events to provide servings.
● Support cooking, serving, and transporting meals.
● Work with volunteers to prepare meals.
● Help track Solidarity Serving budgets and spending.
The Member in this position will be working together with our solidarity serving coordinator.
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Support food servings on Sexton campus, such as the Breakfast Club, which serves meals
twice a week on IDEA Bdg. Help expand food projects and student involvement on Sexton
Campus.
Responsibilities:
● Prepare and serve meals for Sexton campus.
● Advocate for food projects on Sexton Campus.
● Co-facilitate meetings and build relationships with the Sexton community.
Sexton students will be prioritized for this role.
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Ideal for those with past Ladle kitchen experience who want to take on a bigger role. This is not
required but an asset.
Responsibilities:
● Participate in regular kitchen volunteering.
● Join weekly kitchen meetings and participate in kitchen discussions on our online
messaging system.
● Help develop kitchen policies and procedures.
● Advise on special programs and servings (e.g., Iron Ladle).
● Take Kitchen Training and Food Safe certificate (provided by the Ladle).
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interested in creative ways to showcase community history and decision-making.
Responsibilities:
● Research and compile Loaded Ladle’s history.
● Find creative ways to display information (e.g., art, video, graphics).
● Engage students, artists, and community members in archiving projects.
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If you love connecting with people and organizing fun events, this role is for you!
Responsibilities:
● Table at expos, host volunteer orientations, and run info sessions.
● Organize internal events to keep board members and volunteers connected.
● Plan volunteer appreciation events and engage virtual volunteers.
● Take the lead in Annual General Meeting organizing (elections, ladle 101) etc.
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Build Loaded Ladle’s online presence and help share its work with the public. This role is great
for anyone who enjoys design, video creation, or photography.
Responsibilities:
● Design social media posts and videos.
● Engage with other organizations online (e.g., repost, interact, build connections).
● Support website and newsletter development.
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For students passionate about food justice and advocacy. Work on direct action and education
around campus food systems.
Responsibilities:
● Conduct and share research Becomeon campus food systems and providers.
● Build connections with campus and community food organizations (e.g., attend summits,
roundtables, class talks).
● Create educational workshops and engagement opportunities.
● Connect with other campus food groups.
● Facilitate coalition-building efforts on campus.
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Pitch your own idea! We are open to positions and responsibilities we have not thought of yet! If
you’d like to design your own position, please submit a description of the role and
responsibilities it would entail.
“I believe that access to healthy food is a right for everyone, and is fundamental to both physical and mental health. However, it is incredibly difficult for many people to meet this basic need. For many university students, healthy eating is very often the first sacrifice made in light of increasing debt and the stressors associated with school.
The Loaded Ladle is taking steps to tackle this growing problem. By offering weekly servings to a hungry community, we provide healthy fuel for students and by extension become a model for other organizations to support their respective communities. As a member of the board, I get to actively participate in the collective decision-making that makes what we do here possible.”
Nathan Chong, 2021/22 Board Member
“I ran for the board because the Ladle is my favourite non-profit and I wanted to give back in a more involved way. volunteering in the kitchen was super fun but it was really interesting to get a look at how the ladle runs behind the scenes and have a hand in its long-term vision. I want to continue this year because it's an awesome team, I care deeply about food justice, it's engaging work, and I wanna see where we can take the awesome work we do!“
Francesca Sivilotti, 2021/22 Board Member
“Being a Loaded Ladle board member is a wonderful experience to me because everyone you get to work with genuinely cares about the cause of food justice and the work of the Loaded Ladle. There is something special about seeing the differences of every member unite in a common goal.”
Alex Liaukovic, 2021/22 Board Member
“I love being a board member for a couple of different reasons! For one, I value the opportunity to create long-term plans that support food justice within our community, as I strongly believe in the accessibility of healthy and culturally appropriate food. In this sense, it is truly rewarding to see how small decisions and plans can snowball into lasting changes to the community around me. Aside from that, I find that the ladle attracts many ambitious individuals that come with a variety of different experiences and goals. As a result, I find that I am always able to learn something new from a fellow volunteer, board member, or staff. Not only that, but ladle members tend to be some of the kindest and most welcoming people around campus!”
Radostina Zhekova, 2021/22 Board Member
