Are you looking for opportunities to strengthen your leadership skills? Do you want to support and contribute to your community and a provincial voice regarding HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C and related issues? Are you interested in networking and sharing your expertise at a dynamic, successful and ever-evolving organization? Then consider applying to join the Pacific AIDS Network Board of Directors!
It is that time of year again, our annual provincial fall conference is fast approaching, and we here at PAN are in search of talented and passionate volunteers to join the Board of Directors team!
This is a very exciting time for PAN as we are at a critical crossroads: halfway through our current Strategic Plan; having recently conducted an organizational review; and pondering some crucial potential governance changes for 2017 and 2018. We will also soon be exploring, in partnership with one of our key government funders, how to build the capacity of PAN and the network to enhance the “collective impact” of the sector as a whole in addressing HIV, hepatitis C and related issues! The current Board of Directors team has a close working relationship with myself as Executive Director, and I am committed to continuing to build on those relationships and our shared collaborative efforts, as we navigate these challenging but potentially tremendously rewarding waters.
First, a little bit about PAN. We are a member-based coalition that provides a network to our 50+ member organizations’ abilities and efforts to respond to HIV, Hepatitis C and related issues in British Columbia. Here are some of the things PAN does:
- Facilitating linkages, communication and the sharing of best practices amongst member organizations and with external stakeholders (e.g., policy makers, funders, researchers, etc.).
- Providing programs and services including:
– Professional/workforce development (e.g. in person training and workshops, and virtual learning opportunities for the staff and key volunteers of our member organizations)
– Leadership training to our members and to people living with HIV/AIDS
– Face-to-face networking
– Mutual support, education and skills development
– Community-based research and program evaluation services - Acting as one of the provincial voices for the community-based response to HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C
- Undertaking collective action and policy change to influence public perceptions and policies affecting people living with HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C, as well as those most “at risk”
Why the board at PAN is so important? As at any not-for-profit, the board of PAN fulfils a critical governance function, ensuring that the organization is accountable and effective. Board members act as stewards on behalf of the PAN network, and serve as trustees to assure the organization’s present and future is planned, monitored, and evaluated in the best interests of our mission. PAN’s mission is to work collaboratively to build the capacity and skills of our member organizations, including people with lived experience; and to effectively address HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, and related communicable diseases and conditions.
What seats are up for election at this year’s Fall conference? There are 12 seats in total on the PAN Board, half of which are designated for persons living with HIV/AIDS (PHAs) while the other half are referred to as “open seats” (i.e. can be occupied by PHAs or non-PHAs). The five geographically-based health regions (Northern, Interior, Fraser, Vancouver, and Vancouver Island) and the Provincial Health Services region each has two seats: one designated PHA seat and one “open seat”.
Due to retirement, terms coming to an end and other life changes, there are actually up to eight seats up for election at this year’s PHA Forum and AGM, broken down as following:
- Fraser: one open seat
- Interior: one open seat
- Island: one designated PHA seat & one open seat
- Northern: one designated PHA seat & one open seat
- Provincial Health Services: one open seat
- Vancouver Coastal: one open seat
The term for all board seats is two years. Once the term is over, a board member can run as an incumbent. Presently there are no term limits on board seats (however this is something PAN may change as we ponder a series of governance changes in the near’ish future (2017 AGM)).
What are some of the qualifications and requirements for becoming a PAN board member? Please click here to see the job description for PAN board members. Ideally, you have a minimum of two years’ experience working or volunteering in the field (i.e. HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, co-infection, harm reduction, etc.). Past committee or board work experience is a plus, though not required – we also look for opportunities to build the skill set and capacity of all contributors at PAN, volunteers, staff and board members. We are looking for self-motivated, enthusiastic and curious contributors who can step outside of their own individual realities or that of their organization, to see the “big picture” and think strategically. Board members are expected to commit time and energy and stay engaged/involved, as well, play an active governance role.
Because we are a provincial organization, board members and staff live and work across the province. The ability to work virtually is therefore a must. All board members must have a regular and timely access to emails and telecommunication (the majority of internal/Board level communications are electronic and bi-monthly 120-minute board meetings are held via teleconference). Board members are also expected to attend day-long, in-person/face-to-face meetings twice a year (one of which typically coincides with PAN’s Annual Fall Conference).
Historically, PAN board members have been strong leaders of their own organization, often occupying senior paid or volunteer positions, and powerful voices within their region – who were then ready to lend their perspective and talents to the provincial picture.
Do you think this might be a volunteer opportunity you would like to explore? If this is of interest to you, we invite you to complete a board application, and to run for election at this year’s conference (either at the PHA Forum and/or Annual General Meeting (AGM)). In addition to completing an application, you must also provide a written endorsement from a PAN member organization, in support of your running for a position.
The deadline for submitting PAN Board of Directors application for this year’s Forum and AGM is September 30th, 2016. Please note that starting at the 2016 Fall conference (PHA Forum and AGM), we will NOT be accepting nominations from the floor. We are making this change in order to invite candidates that have had a good opportunity to reflect and be committed to the board; and also to discuss with their sponsoring organization, any supports that need to be put in place to be able to truly and meaningfully engage as a PAN board member. All complete applications received by the deadline, will be provided to the membership in advance of the Fall conference.
Click here to fill out an application and please send your completed application, and related documents (including CV/resume, as well as letter of endorsement from a PAN member organization), to me, J. Evin Jones, via email at [email protected].
I also invite you to call me, at 250.538.6233, if you would like to discuss your interest! Until then… 🙂
Jennifer Evin Jones
Executive Director, Pacific AIDS Network