HI-C-PM Region Call for Nominations
Charting the course for hostelling in Western Canada
Hostelling International - Canada - Pacific Mountain Region (HI-C-PM) is seeking volunteers to stand for election to our Board of Directors.
HI-C-PM is a not-for-profit corporation operating under the principles of policy governance. The Board provides direction and monitoring of operations through established reporting policies and goals. Currently our Board consists of a very diverse range of people, from a variety of professions and age categories.
If you have hostelled recently, have up to 15 hours a month to commit to volunteer activity and communicate regarding Board and Association actvities (email, teleconferences, meetings), then we'd like to hear from you. Download a nomination form (PDF).
For more information, send us an email or call the Regional Office at 1.800.661.0020. Elections will be held via mail-in ballot with results announced at the HI-C-PM Annual General Meeting on September 16, 2010 in Vancouver.
Board Member Information
Policy Governance in Action
-
The purpose of the Board of the Association, on behalf of the owners, is to define acceptable Ends – what benefits the organization should produce, for whom, and at what cost – and then see to it that the organization achieves its Ends while operating within the boundaries established by the Board in the Executive Limitation Policies.
- Board members may not tell staff what to do, how to do it or penalize them for what they have done. If there is an issue of individual performance, bring it to the attention of the Board Chair or the Chief Executive Officer.
- If the organization has embarked on a course of action in the absence of policy that the Board feels is contrary to the ideals of the Association, the Board must make policy to address the issue.
- Experience with a Policy Governance Board would be an asset but not essential.
Need to Do
- Read and understand the Constitution and Bylaws.
- Read and understand the Board Policy Manual.
- Understand and comply with the Board Code of Conduct.
- Read, understand and ask questions about the reports of the organization in regards to its actions, direction and strategy.
- In order to preserve the authority of previous Board decisions, documentation of Board processes and resolutions need to be created and made available to current Board members and Board members of the future.
Participation
- Actively participate in the Board and Committee meetings. Involvement requires a minimum of 15 hours each month. It is anticipated that the Board will meet in person four times per year over a weekend in Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, and some other location determined by the Board. In addition there will be teleconference meetings periodically as may be required. A Board retreat may also be scheduled.
- Directors bring experience from fields the Association may not normally be involved in – share this perspective and knowledge at the meetings.
- Expenses incurred in carrying out the office of Director will be reimbursed as per Board policy. Submit all expenses on the appropriate form to the CEO.
Benefits/Experience Gained
- The HI-C-PM Board of Directors oversees a 14 million dollar annual budget operating an extensive network of youth hostels in British Columbia, Alberta and the Yukon. The scope of the hostel operations provides the Directors with educational opportunities in setting policy for a large scale not for profit organization.
- The HI-C-PM Board is based on a policy governance model providing the Directors with a skill set in dealing with policy governance issues.
- HI-C-PM is affiliated with the Canadian Hostelling Association and the International Youth Hostel Federation, which enables Directors to develop a skill set in setting policy on a Regional, National and International scope.
- HI-C-PM Directors are exposed to the philosophy of the Youth Hostelling movement, specifically its mission to better understand “people, places, and cultures” throughout the world.
Legal Aspects
- The Association maintains directors’ insurance to protect the Directors against specious litigation or other claims.
- As long as the Directors are working in the best interests of the Association their actions are protected legally and through insurance.
- No single Board member may enter into or issue contracts or obligations on behalf of the Association unless empowered to do so by Board resolution.
- As a Board member you are jointly liable for the actions or inaction of the Association.
- Your employer may have rules regarding your personal involvement in outside organizations. Please make yourself aware of any such restrictions to your participation as a Director.
