Join SAVAC’s Board of Directors

SAVAC is an Artist-run Centre, ARCS are non-profit organizations that are run by a Board of Directors, which is elected by SAVAC’s community at the Annual General Meeting.

Annual General Meetings are held every calendar year. It is a valuable opportunity for reconnections between the board, staff and community, and provides an overview of the organizations present financial state, current and upcoming projects and events. Prospective board members who’ve sent in their nomination forms present their case as to why they have the experience, skillset and vision to become a board member. After the presentations, racialized people who are present at the AGM can vote for who they believe will be an appropriate representative. Elected board members serve a 2 year term.

All nominees MUST be present online at the AGM on February 22, 2025 at 2pm ET to be eligible. (more details on the AGM to come)  

Please complete the nomination form to apply.  Deadline to complete the nomination form is February 19, 2025 at 5pm ET. 

The Board of Directors is responsible for the operation of SAVAC within the confines of the organization’s constitution, mandate, and established policies. In most cases, the Board will be assisted in carrying out responsibilities by staff. The Board works closely with the Executive Director on Strategic Planning, Projects and Programming; Recruiting and HR Administration; Budgeting and Finance; and Governance. The Board also acts as the employer of the Executive Director. Along with the Executive Director and staff, the Board is responsible for ensuring that the organization acts in the interests of its community.

Duties and responsibilities:

Strategic Planning, Projects and Programming
The Board is responsible for visioning and setting the goals of SAVAC for the year and evaluating our success in reaching those objectives at end of planning and programming cycles.

The Board is responsible for attending and supporting projects and events. The planning and carrying out these activities is done in conjunction with the Artistic Director.

• Approve new definitions and changes to vision, mission, and values
• Review and approve plans for implementation of goals and objectives based on strategic plan
• Support the execution of events and programming as needed by the Artistic Director

Recruiting and Human Resources Administration
As employers, the Board is responsible for hiring and supervising staff, developing and updating staff job descriptions, and evaluating staff.

• Determine compensation of staff (refer to HR and Budget Committees)
• Hire staff
• Recruit board members
• HR Administration related to the role of ED (recruit, hire and set compensation for Executive Director; removal/Dismissal of ED; supervise or assign tasks to ED; performance evaluation of ED; settle grievances or disputes involving ED
• Approve Human Resources policies and procedures
• Approve decisions to fire, lay off, suspend or remove staff from positions with the advice of the ED

Budgeting and Finance
The Board is responsible for financial planning and for ensuring that money is properly spent and that appropriate records are kept. The board works with the Bookkeeper and Executive Director to ensure fiscal responsibility.

• Fundraising
• Donor Development
• Other fundraising activities (i.e. third party events, bequests)
• Sign cheques – recommended ED or designated staff and one board member sign
• Approve budgets, contracts, and new financial procedures and controls

Governance

• Write and update by-laws (current need to overhaul)
• Political or government advocacy
• Ensure that board policies are up-to- date and followed
• Ensure Board complies with by-laws
• Establish a system for periodic policy /procedure review

Other

Board meetings

Meetings of the Board of Directors occur roughly 10 times per fiscal year and are normally are approximately 2 hours in length. Additional time must be spent in preparation, reading minutes or other documents, developing your documents, developing your thoughts and completing tasks. The jobs of recording (minute-taking) and facilitation (leading discussion) are rotated among Board members in order to develop skills.

Tasks: 

• Agenda Setting
• Facilitation
• Timekeeping
• Board meeting minutes – current practice is voluntary

Board evaluation and performance (not applicable right now but may want to consider in future)

• Auto-evaluation
• Annual reporting to the community
• Exit Interviews for departing board members
• Plan and deliver board orientation

Speak to media on behalf of organization (depending on situation and context)

Plan the Annual General Meeting (Set agenda)