| The Vancouver Tool Library (VTL) is looking for new Directors. Please consider nominating individuals you believe will make a positive contribution to Vancouver’s favourite cooperative tool library.
Or run yourself! If you’re interested, contact the nominations committee by emailing manager@vancouvertoollibrary.com. We can provide you with additional information and answer any questions you may have.
New Directors will be elected by the membership at our Annual General Meeting on Monday, May 28th, 2017 at 7pm at Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House. Nominations close at the AGM.
About you:
An ideal Director is passionate about cooperatives and the sharing economy, and motivated to make positive change in our community. You don’t need to be a tool expert! Here are some qualities and experience that we believe a good candidate would posses:
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
- Understanding of cooperatives and the cooperative values;
- Recent board, governance, or non-profit service;
- Grant writing and fundraising;
- Community inclusion and safer spaces facilitation;
- Well connected and networked within cooperative, non-profit and community organizations
- Cooperative/non-profit planning and development skills;
About us:
The VTL is a cooperative community resource, run by its members for its members. We are motivated by a vision of our community empowered by the tools and skills needed to transform their homes and neighbourhoods into vibrant spaces that reflect a commitment to sustainability. We are dedicated to
taking a proactive and responsive approach to managing our organization, and adhering to the values of inclusivity, empowerment, community building, member participation, and sustainability in all that we do.
About the position:
The VTL Board of Directors supports a vibrant, six year old community organization. With the help of more than a dozen volunteers and a part-time General Manager, the Board oversees operations to ‘protect and direct’ our co-op. As volunteer, elected representatives, Directors must ensure the
organization respects the will of the membership while staying aligned with our rules and vision.
Directors serve a two year term and are expected to contribute at least 10 hours per month to their duties. This includes attending a monthly board meeting and participating in other ongoing projects.
Equity and inclusion:
The Vancouver Tool Library is committed to including and empowering marginalized members of our extended community. We are also aware that structural oppression and discrimination impacts our organization and board composition. In particular, we recognize that ‘maker spaces’ such as the VTL can often be exclusionary along lines of ability, gender, race and age. We work hard to address this in our organization and hope to build a diverse, inclusive cooperative that deeply serves our community.
The current Directors strongly encourage candidates who self-identify with a group that may face barriers to participation in the VTL. This includes, but is not limited to, women, people of colour, people with a disability, indigenous, trans, and queer folk. If you have any questions or concerns regarding running for the board, please speak to our General Manager or any of our current Directors.
The Vancouver Tool Library acknowledges that we organize and work on the unceded Traditional Territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.
If you are interested in joining the VTL Board or want to know more about the positions, please email the nominations committee at manager@vancouvertoollibrary.com. Your help distributing this call for applicants is appreciated. |
