What does the Board of Directors do?

The Oakville Arts Council is governed by an elected volunteer Board of Directors. The Board of Directors provides governance, leadership, fundraising, and financial oversight to our staff and operations. Directors may sit on one or more committees including:

• Finance: provides oversight, disclosure and transparency on financial matters; oversees the budgeting and audit processes
• Fundraising: provides leadership in developing fundraising strategy and implementing the fundraising plan
• Strategic Planning
  
• Nominations: solicits and reviews applications for board members; interviews nominees, engages in succession planning 
• Cultural Grants Review Committee: the chair of the grants review committee must be a member of the OAC Board of Directors.

How many positions are open?

The Oakville Arts Council currently has three open positions for directors-at-large.

What skills and experience are we looking for?

We are in currently seeking individuals with experience in the arts, either as an individual artist or having participated in a group arts practice such as a choir, orchestra or other art form. Additionally, we routinely seek individuals with qualifications, skills, and experience in the following areas: 

• Finance / Accounting

• Strategic planning
• Human resources
• Marketing
• Fundraising
• Risk management
• Law

Am I eligible to be a director?

To be eligible for a seat on the Board of Directors, an individual must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be a resident of Oakville
• Not have a bankruptcy that is undischarged
• Be (or become before the AGM) a member of the Oakville Arts Council in good standing

What are the duties of a Board member?

The Board of Directors is collectively accountable to the members, community, funders and other stakeholders. They are accountable for the OAC's performance in relation to its mission and strategic objectives, and for the effective stewardship of financial and human resources. Individual board members have no authority to approve actions by the organization, to direct staff, or to speak on behalf for the organization unless given such authority by the board.

Board members are responsible for acting in the best long-term interests of the organization and the community and will bring to the task of informed decision-making a broad knowledge and an inclusive perspective.

Every member of the Board of Directors, including the Board’s officers, is expected to do the following:

• Prepare for and participate in board meetings (5 meetings per year)
• Listen to others’ views, advocate their own, identify common interests and alternatives, and be open to compromise
• Support governance decisions once made
• Participate in the review of the OAC's mission and objectives and in the development of a strategic plan
• Help the board to monitor the performance of the OAC in relation to its mission, objectives, core values and reputation
• Abide by the by-laws, code of conduct, conflict of interest and other polices that apply to the board
• Participate in the approval the annual budget and monitor the financial performance of the organization in relation to it
• Help establish, review and monitor polices
• Identify prospective board members and possibly help recruit them
• Contribute to the work of the board as a member of a board committee
• Attend and participate in the Annual General Meeting
• Be an ambassador for the OAC – ensure ones involvement is known within their own network of friends and contacts.
• Keep informed about community issues relevant to the mission and objectives of the arts council.
• Stay informed about the organization and attend at least one member event per year

What is the process for joining the Board?

1. Complete the online nomination form. Please note, a resume/CV or summary of experience will be required, but will not be shared with anyone outside the Board and Nominations committee.
2. Those interested in being considered for a Board position may be selected for an interview with the Board based on their nomination form.
3. If selected by the nominations committee and the OAC Board of Directors, nominees will be invited to fill available positions on the OAC board and formally elected by the membership at the next AGM (November 2023).