Eastside Arts Society (Eastside Arts Society seeks Volunteer Board Member)

Organization Name: Eastside Arts Society
Opportunity Title: Eastside Arts Society seeks Volunteer Board Member
Category: Boards / Committee / Leadership
Commitment: Ongoing Opportunity (> 1 year)
Start Date: February 15, 2023
End Date: March 31, 2023

Email: admin@eastsideartssociety.ca
Website: http://www.eastsideartssociety.ca
Details:

• Appropriate for volunteers aged between 18 and 55
• Appropriate for volunteers aged 55 and over

Opportunity Description:

The Eastside Arts Society Board of Directors is seeking volunteer Board candidates who are practicing visual or performing artists, and/or who have experience in strategic planning, nonprofit governance, land-use planning, government relations, or fundraising.

ABOUT US
The Eastside Arts Society [EAS] is a registered charitable society that represents the highest concentration of artists per capita in the country. This vital organization’s initiative is to build capacity and sustainability for artists. It offers nationally recognized juried exhibits, it connects the community with local artists, and it provides arts programming for inner city schools.

EAS programming includes its signature event, the Eastside Culture Crawl, an open-studio visual arts festival held every November, the annual CREATE Arts Festival, and it is developing the Eastside Arts District. ART HAPPENS HERE!

BOARD ROLE
The Board of Directors is responsible for governance of the EAS and development of its three-year strategic plan. The Board of Directors is comprised of up to 50% artists. The Board is guided by the Executive Committee: Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary. Through the strategic plan, the Board establishes goals for committees including the Spaces Committee and the Development Committees, and goals for the Artistic & Executive Director (A&ED). Board members are expected to join and support working committees.

The A&ED is supervisor of the staff team, and reports to the Board of Directors during regular Board meetings. The A&ED and staff team are responsible for delivering and implementing the programming and initiatives detailed in the strategic plan and the day-today activities of the organization.

TERMS
Board members are elected for two-year terms. Board members may also be appointed by the Board between Annual General Meetings and will come up for election at the next scheduled AGM (annually in April/May).

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Board experience with charitable and/or not-for-profit organizations
• Searching for Board candidates who are visual or performing artists, and/or who have experience in strategic planning, nonprofit governance, land-use planning, government relations, or fundraising
• Excellent teamwork, communication, and time management skills
• Confident in participating in a dynamic group environment
• Comfortable attending public events to promote or represent the EAS
• Volunteers must be at least 19 years of age for this position

BENEFITS

• Professional development particularly in organizational and community development
• Engagement with a dynamic and motivated Board of Directors in governing the society
• Contributing to the organization’s vision of transforming the community through visual and performing arts
• Expanding your professional and personal network
• Making a difference in your community and meeting others along the way
• Supporting arts in our community

BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES

• To determine the mission, vision, and direction of the EAS
• To govern EAS with clear policies and objectives
• To ensure EAS’s financial health
• To monitor the Society’s programs and activities
• To support and promote fund development
• To enhance the public image of EAS
• To assess its own performance

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Regularly attend monthly board meetings
• Being prepared at board meetings, participating in discussions and decision-making
• Working collegially with other Directors and the Artistic & Executive Director
• Participating actively in committee work, task groups and fund development (events and sponsorship)
• Maintaining board business confidentiality
• Attending EAS events to stay informed about their quality, their popularity and to ensure a wide acquaintance among the membership

TRAINING & SUPPORT

• Role-specific training with the addition of shared online resources available for review (board training/orientation manual)
• Regular meetings with the Board and A&ED
• Staff coordinates and implements organizational day to day activities, programming, and initiatives

COMMITMENT

• 3-10 hours/month, varies depending on position and fluctuations in workload
• Attendance at 9 (nine) Board meetings per year, held on the second Tuesday of the month from 7-8 PM as well as the Annual General Meeting in April/May
• Ability to respond to emails/requests within a reasonable timeframe

We believe that the composition of our Board of Directors should reflect the diversity of the community we serve (particularly underrepresented and marginalized people) and that this diversity is central to both the health and vitality of our community and the work we do. Hence, we strongly encourage applications from people of underrepresented and marginalized identities in East Vancouver, particularly Indigenous people, people of colour, people from working class backgrounds, and LGBTQ2S+ people.

HOW TO APPLY
Expressions of interest, including a 150-word bio, can be submitted via the online intake form by March 31, 2023. Some applicants will be invited for an interview.