The Niverville Heritage Centre’s board of directors has established an independent nomination committee to lead the search for candidates to fill a number of board vacancies.
“With the resignation of George Sawatzky last summer, the current board has five members,” says Steve Neufeld, CEO of the Heritage Centre. “According to its bylaws, the board can have up to 12 members if it desires.”
Neufeld says their target is to add two or three new members. A further stated goal is to maintain the board’s commitment to gender, age, and cultural diversity.
The nomination committee is comprised of four members, each appointed by a local entity chosen for its broad-based community involvement, influence, respect, and credibility. Ken Rempel was appointed by the Niverville Health & Community Foundation, Aaron Redekop by Niverville Services to Seniors, Peter Braun by the Niverville Ministerial, and Andy Anderson by the Niverville Chamber of Commerce.
Upon completion of the process, the committee expects to provide a list of five candidates for board consideration. A key part of this process involves identifying the skillsets of an ideal board member and comparing it against the skillsets held by existing members.
Throughout January, the committee will be collecting names.
“We recognize that some shoulder-tapping will need to occur,” says Neufeld. “We will use [January and February] to do that as well, eventually resulting in the development of a full candidate list.”
The board hopes to appoint its new members by the first week of April and announce their names at the April 11 public meeting of Niverville’s town council.
These are volunteer positions with no remuneration, Neufeld clarifies, and the board members will serve on three boards: that of Niverville Heritage Holdings Inc., the Niverville Heritage Personal Care Home Inc., and the Heritage Life Retirement Living Inc. All three are not-for-profit corporations and collectively oversee the operations of the Heritage Centre.
“Meetings are held monthly and as required,” says Neufeld. The three boards meet consecutively, one after another, on the same day. “Typically meetings last about four hours and are currently held on the fourth Wednesday of each month, beginning at noon.”
Board members have a host of responsibilities, including ensuring sustainable governance, providing oversight and direction to the CEO, serving as community contacts, assisting with fundraising events (such as the annual gala), and bearing a fiduciary responsibility both to the Town of Niverville and the community at large.
“The Heritage Centre is a very complex operation with many nuances, not the least of which is operating in a very difficult financial environment.” Neufeld also cites the growing demand for seniors housing. “It is fun, exciting, challenging, and rewarding.”
Neufeld lists many possible activities requiring the attention of the board. “Literally, one day you are meeting with government agencies on funding proposals, the next meeting with neighbouring municipalities to develop partnerships. The next day [you are] meeting with union representatives to discuss collective bargaining agreements talks, or developing fundraising strategies for a new community medical clinic concept, or developing a new housing project—not to mention the $35 million in development that has already occurred on the campus—all the while managing a professional staff of 200-plus team members.”
