North Island Métis Board of Directors - Description and Roles
The NIMA Board of Directors will consist of directors (voting members) as well as an Elder (non-voting member chosen from the Elder’s Council if it exists) and Executive Director (non-voting member). The Board will be comprised of no fewer than three and no greater than twelve elected directors. Collectively, the Board will use a consensus governing style to make decisions and ensure that appropriate organizational policies and structures are in place.
To be elected as a Director, a person must be a NIMA member in good standing who is 18 years of age, be a resident of BC for at least six months prior and a resident in the geographical area of NIMA for no less than thirty days prior to the date of the election.
Board members are expected to attend all NIMA Board meetings. If they are not able to attend a meeting, they must inform the president and the secretary as soon as possible. If a Board member misses a meeting more than three times in a row, or more than five times throughout a year, the member will be asked to step down from their role (except when extenuating circumstances apply as allowed by decision of the NIMA Board).
The length of a term for Director is two years.
To be elected as a Director, a person must be a NIMA member in good standing who is 18 years of age, be a resident of BC for at least six months prior and a resident in the geographical area of NIMA for no less than thirty days prior to the date of the election.
Board members are expected to attend all NIMA Board meetings. If they are not able to attend a meeting, they must inform the president and the secretary as soon as possible. If a Board member misses a meeting more than three times in a row, or more than five times throughout a year, the member will be asked to step down from their role (except when extenuating circumstances apply as allowed by decision of the NIMA Board).
The length of a term for Director is two years.
List of Directors
President
The president is a member in good standing with NIMA. They are the chair and spokesperson of the NIMA Board. They communicate regularly with the Executive Director. The president sends out the monthly NIMA Board meeting agenda and past minutes, which they receive from the secretary. They will provide a president’s report at board meetings. The president or the vice president must be an MNBC member, as this is required to attend MNBC official meetings.
Vice President
The vice president is a member in good standing with NIMA. They are the chair and spokesperson of the NIMA Board when the president is not available. They will provide a vice president’s report at board meetings. The president or the vice president must be an MNBC member, as this is required to attend MNBC official meetings.
Secretary
The secretary is a member in good standing with NIMA. They record the minutes for all NIMA Board meetings. If the secretary is unavailable to attend a board meeting, it is their responsibility to ensure that another board member will record the minutes for that meeting. They also type the minutes up and send them to the president for distribution. All correspondences that represent the NIMA Board will be written by the secretary with board review before finalization. The secretary position is not a staff position.
Treasurer
The treasurer is a member in good standing with NIMA. They are the financial contact for the NIMA Board. They will create a yearly financial plan in partnership with the Executive Director. They will provide the NIMA Board with a monthly report on all bank account totals, and a yearly report for the AGM to be distributed. They will work closely with the Executive Director and bookkeeper to create accurate reports. The treasurer is responsible for ensuring reports are submitted in accordance with the Societies Act and will confirm that the association remains in good standing. They will also report to the NIMA Board information about membership, including number of members in good standing. The treasurer position is not a staff position.
Director at Large
Director at large is a member in good standing with NIMA. They will attend Board meetings, assist in decision making and provide support and feedback. Directors at Large may take on additional roles such as committee representatives for NIMA or specific portfolios such as Health if they are interested.
Youth Director
The Youth Director will be a person who is between the ages of 16-25 and is a member in good standing with NIMA. All NIMA youth will be contacted by the Youth Director with an initial introduction and the Youth Director will maintain regular communication with members. They will provide the Board with input about NIMA youth members’ needs and concerns. They will receive information from MNBC regarding youth and participate in activities and conferences as the Youth Director. MNBC requires the Youth Director to be an MNBC member to attend events.
Women's Director
The Women’s Director will be a person who identifies as a woman and is a member in good standing with NIMA. All NIMA women will be contacted by the Women’s Director with an initial introduction and the Women’s Director will maintain regular communication with members. They will provide the Board with input about NIMA women members’ needs and concerns. They will receive information from MNBC regarding women and participate in activities and conferences as the Women’s Director. MNBC requires the Women’s Director to be an MNBC member to attend events.