1. PURPOSE
A Member at Large is a member of MODS’ elected board of directors without specialized duties (as in the case of President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary), responsible for serving as an elected representative of MODS’ membership. Where not contradictory to those of the named roles, the responsibilities, deliverables, and term of the Member at Large apply equally to all members of the board of directors, including those with specialized duties.
2. RESPONSIBILITIES/DELIVERABLES
Areas of responsibility include, but may not be limited to:
- Be a strong ambassador of MODS’ mandate to help disc sports thrive in Manitoba and aim to serve MODS’ membership. Notwithstanding the value of diversity in board perspectives (which is encouraged), members of the board are expected to consider the perspectives of all members when making decisions on behalf of the organization.
- Build and maintain positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders to MODS. Be prompt and professional in communicating on behalf of the organization.
- Following the lead of the President, contribute to overall direction of the board’s activities - ie. offer views on administrative priorities, and/or questions to be answered by the board (e.g. What are the board’s objectives for the year? What would the board like to see as operational priorities? What is the organization’s stance on [policy issue]?).
- Understand MODS’ decision-making framework and help communicate to others – MODS' members, staff, plus committees & working groups - how their roles fit within this framework (e.g. What function is served by policy/protocol? By committees and working groups? What are the respective roles of staff and board? How is policy enacted?).
- Understand MODS’ policy/protocol framework, be readily able to find information (ie. know where to look) to answer questions as they arise and/or what steps are to be followed in cases of official protocol.
- Understand what matters require board review/approval (including a strong sense of how to navigate the grey area in between) and – as necessary - help align peers accordingly.
- Identify and remove barriers to the effective functioning of the organization (e.g. Work to bridge gaps in understanding of how decisions are made, and/or align people on process to be followed where common understanding breaks down).
- Attend and contribute to meetings of the board. Complete any action items assigned to you by the Board of Directors.
- Keep current on all board-related reading, including but not limited to close review of agenda and all other required reading circulated in advance of board meetings. Be reasonably prompt in returning email correspondence requiring input – ideally replying within 24 hours, as often as reasonably possible.
- Be familiar with Robert's Rules of Order for conducting meetings and group decision-making. Contribute to efficient and effective use of meeting time, in alignment with the board’s intended function.
- As capacity allows, serve on one or more committees or working groups, particularly where a liaison to the board is needed.
3. TERM
- The Member at Large is normally elected by membership at MODS’ Annual General Meeting, in accordance with MODS’ by-laws. Alternatively, the Member at Large may be appointed by the board of directors on an interim basis, in the event of a vacancy arising during the administrative year in progress (ie. between AGMs).
- If elected by membership, the Member at Large’s term is two years in length. If appointed by the board of directors on an interim basis, the Member at Large’s term expires at the first AGM following appointment. (In the latter case, the interim Member at Large may choose to stand for election in front of the membership, subsequent to which the first sentence of this paragraph would apply.)
- The Member at Large may vacate their board position prior to the completion of the two-year term (particularly if unable to fulfill duties as outlined above) but is strongly encouraged to only stand for election if expecting to be able to commit to the full two-year term.
- The maximum term is six consecutive years (three, two-year terms). Any time served on an interim basis (ie. prior to election by membership directly) does not count toward this maximum.
