As you may know, the NCVA’s Annual General Meeting is next Sunday, June 28.
What you may not know is that the NCVA desperately requires three marvy people to step forward to be on the NCVA Board of Directors.
There are five spots on the board. Only two of the current board members intend to return. If no one steps up to fill the three remaining spots, the last task of the current board will be to dissolve the NCVA.
I hate to put it so bluntly as that, but it is what it is. The NCVA is a corporation. It has bylaws and a bank account and it files taxes. If there is no one to run it, it cannot exist.
On the bright side, being on the board is not a lot of work. In fact, the ideal role for the board is not to “run” events or campaigns at all, but just to offer financial and infrastuctural support for those who wish to run events or campaigns under the NCVA banner. And maybe intervene in the odd facebook fight.
Now you’re probably asking yourself, “Why are they just telling us about this dire need for board members now, when we’ll only have a week to think about it?”
The answer relates to the reason why I myself am leaving the board: “I should have done this weeks ago but I’ve been too busy.” Incidentally, that’s also the answer to the question “Why isn’t this blog post bilingual?”
But better late than never, right? So give it some thought, and if you want to give it a whirl, instructions for running for the board are in the previous blog post.
VegOttawa Association 
OK. So here’s the thing. I don’t want the NCVA to fold – I think it’s important to have such a group in Ottawa, even if it’s only to ask restaurants to give discounts to our members. I’m really not the “committee” type, although I’ve been on the board of other groups. I would want the board to meet bimonthly, even if we do nothing but eat cake and drink coffee. And I won’t be treasurer or president. So….if you still need bums on seats somebody needs to nominate me. Pamela has met me, Richard has met me……..and they didn’t run away screaming lol.
Want to know me about me? Check out my blog at https://helptheresavegan.wordpress.com/
Can you pin this message on the NCVA facebook page for those who don’t follow the blog? I looked and don’t see it there… Karen
On Sat, 20 Jun 2015 14:11:07 +0000 National Capital Vegetarian Associati
Hello,
What sort of commitment is required to be a board member?
Really it can be as large or small as you make it. For example, I’m Secretary right now. I have to take notes at meetings, organize the AGM (rent a meeting room, send out an announcement), file a form with the Ontario gov’t after each AGM, and keep our incorporation documents in a safe place. That’s not a huge job, but it’s a necessary board role.
On the other hand, some board members take a very active hand in organizing events, sometimes several events per year. They set budgets, communicate with guest speakers, arrange insurance, co-ordinate volunteer schedules, co-ordinate bakers for food sample giveaways, get signs printed, co-ordinate transportation. That can be hours and hours of effort for a single event.
In between those 2 extremes, some board members participate in setting the direction for the year (like, how many & what kinds of events) but only get involved in the nitty gritty of one or two events. If you’re good at seeing the “big picture” and getting the right volunteers talking to each other at the right time to keep things moving along, that’s a talent that is always needed in board members.
Hi! I run Vegetarian Ottawa! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Vegetarian-Ottawa/280583158302 If your really need me as a board member to keep the ship a float I am there for you! I will be out of town during the AGM. Let me know if you need my help!
Hi Kendra, I send you a PM on Facebook. Can you check your messages folder or get in touch with me by email NCVASecretary@gmail.com?
With 13 people stating interest (some here, some on Facebook), it looks like we may have the NCVA’s first election ever! To be prepared, we are going to print ballots. Everyone who is definitely interested, is a member, and has another member ready to nominate them, can you email NCVASecretary@gmail.com by Friday midnight with the correct spelling of your names? (Knowing that some people use different names online.) I will be printing ballots on Saturday morning.