Join the BCMA Board of Directors
Do you want to help support museums, galleries, and heritage organizations across the province? Do you have ideas to help shape the future of the BCMA? Do you know someone who wants to make a difference in the sector? Nominations are now open for the BCMA board of directors.
Each year, members in good standing of the BC Museums Association (BCMA) can nominate themselves or another member to stand for election for the BCMA Council (what we call our board of directors). Nominees will be presented for election at our 2021 Annual General Meeting, to be held online on October 21.
The deadline for advance nominations has now closed, but interested members are welcome to put their names forward from the floor of the AGM
Who We’re Looking For
To learn more about our current Council members, visit the BCMA Council page.
The BCMA is committed to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion within the museum and cultural sector and in our own organizational practices. We strive to have a Council that reflects the diverse experiences, backgrounds, and geographic representations of our sector and therefore encourage applications from members with the following backgrounds/experiences:
- We highly encourage members from historically underrepresented or marginalized groups to join the BCMA Council. If you are interested in learning about the work the BCMA is doing and our commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, check out our quarterly updates.
- Currently, the Vancouver Island and Lower Mainland regions are well represented on the BCMA Council, so we encourage applicants from the Cariboo, Kootenay, North Coast, Nechako, Northeast, or Thompson-Okanagan regions to apply (if you aren’t sure which region you belong to, the BCMA generally follows these regional guidelines).
- Members from smaller organizations (for example organizations with budgets under $300,000 annually) are encouraged to apply to help ensure that the BCMA continues to support the ever-evolving needs of smaller museums, galleries, and cultural organizations.
- We also encourage members who are emerging museum professionals in the first 10 years of their careers in the sector to stand for nomination. Joining the BCMA Council is an excellent opportunity to expand your professional network and gain valuable experience in a variety of areas, including financial management, advocacy, and policy review/development.
About the BCMA
Founded in 1957, the British Columbia Museums Association (BCMA) works to create a bright future for British Columbia’s museum, gallery, and related heritage communities through networking, advocacy, innovation, and professional development. Since our founding, the BCMA has grown to include more than 400 members in every corner of the province representing museums, art galleries, science centres, Indigenous cultural organizations, heritage sites, botanical and zoological gardens, cultural centres, conservation institutes, exhibition galleries permanently maintained by libraries and archives, and nature reserves.
The core of the BCMA’s work is to provide programs and services to benefit our members and the sector at large. To achieve this we are led by the following:
Guiding Principle: We believe in the transformative power of museums.
Vision: The museum community is valued for providing leadership, dialogue, influence, and knowledge to British Columbians.
Mission: We lead by supporting, empowering, and advocating for the BC museum community.
How to Nominate Yourself or Another Member
If you have any questions about the nomination process, the AGM, or the work of the BCMA or its Council that is not answered below, please email us and the BCMA team will connect you with the 2021 Council Nomination Committee.
To nominate yourself or an eligible BCMA member*, please use this online form. Please note: While we welcome nominations in advance of the AGM, the BCMA Bylaws permit nominations from the floor at the AGM.
*Before nominating a peer, we encourage you to ask them if they would be interested in being on the BCMA Council.
The deadline for advance nominations has now closed, but interested members are welcome to put their names forward from the floor of the AGM
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is currently on the BCMA Council?
Visit our BCMA Council page to read the biographies of the current Council members.
Who can stand for election to the BCMA Council?
The BCMA Bylaws state that eligibility to hold office is limited to voting members of the BCMA who are in good standing.
What positions are currently open in 2021?
Currently, 3 member-at-large positions are open. Members-at-large actively participate in Council meetings and the Annual General Meeting. They vote to approve the annual budget for the Association, review and assess annual financial statements, mandates, and strategic plans, and sit on various committees.
What kinds of things do BCMA Council members do?
BCMA Council members draw upon their experiences, ideas, and connections to provide the BCMA with strategic direction and financial oversight. Duties include:
- Attending regular board meetings and semi-annual professional development workshops
- Reviewing meeting materials in advance of board meetings
- Recruitment and performance review of the BCMA’s Executive Director
- Reviewing and approving the BCMA’s annual budget
- Supporting the development of strategic priorities and organizational policies
- Participating in committees and ad-hoc working groups (currently the BCMA has the following standing committees: Executive Committee, Financial Sustainability & Governance Committee, Advocacy Committee, Professional Development & Education Committee, and the Indigenous Advisory Committee)
- Represent the BCMA at events and programs and support the Association’s advocacy efforts
How often does the BCMA Council meet?
In a typical year, the BCMA Council has six virtual meetings and one to two in-person meetings. BCMA Council members also have the opportunity to sit on a number of committees and working groups that meet regularly throughout the year.
Is this an advisory board or a working board?
The BCMA has a full-time, professional staff so the BCMA Council functions primarily as an advisory board, helping to set the strategic direction of the organization and to provide financial oversight.
Is there compensation for being on the board?
Council members are not compensated for their involvement on the board, however, BCMA-related expenses or travel costs are reimbursed.
Are there professional development or training opportunities offered for Council members?
Yes, Council members are required to complete a brief training/orientation session upon joining the BCMA Council and are offered a handful of professional development sessions throughout the year covering topics ranging from financial management, or not-for-profit governance, to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion training.
How many hours per week are involved in being on the BCMA Council?
The number of hours Council members contribute can vary depending on the time of year, active projects, and the activity of committees and working groups. Some weeks, Council members may not be required to contribute any hours and other weeks (depending on the scheduling of meetings and active projects), they may contribute as many as 10 hours per week. In general, Council members have fewer time commitments during the summer months and have more significant time commitments around the BCMA’s annual conference and annual general meeting (typically held in October each year).
What is the governance structure of the BCMA Council?
The BCMA Bylaws state that the BCMA is governed by a maximum of 13 Council members, consisting of five Officers (President, Past President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer) and up to eight members-at-large.
Do you have a question that isn’t answered here? Please email us with your questions and the 2021 Nomination Committee will be in touch with you.
