BCPF Member & Community Event Listings

Call For Board Nominations

Our BC People First AGM is coming up on April 7th, 2021 at 5:30pm PST. There are a few Board of Directors terms coming to an end and all BCPF Members in good standing are invited to attend the AGM or apply to join the team as a Board Member.

To be a Member in good standing means that your BCPF Membership is up-to-date at least 30 days before the AGM. Please make sure your membership is active and up-to-date by March 8th to keep your voting rights with the BCPF Society and to be eligible for a Board position if you're interested.

To apply for a Board Member position please email us to express interest up to 3 weeks before the AGM - you must nominate yourself for a Board of Directors position by March 18th. Just email us to let us know you are a Member, what position you want to run for at the AGM election, and why you want to be a Board Member.

Being a member of the Board of Directors of BC People First is a very important role and a rewarding opportunity. As a Board member, you will work to promote the inclusion and full citizenship for people who feel labelled by disability and unheard in our province. You get to help decide on what the Society will focus on, what advocacy projects we work on, you get to participate in special training, learn new skills and make wonderful new friends. Our Board is operated by Self-Advocates and people with disabilities who are dedicated to the People First movement - we are an independent grassroots society run by volunteers.

2021 Positions Up For Election:

1. Director, Vancouver Island/Sunshine Coast Region – located in this region, for example: Nanaimo, Victoria, Powell River, Sechelt, etc. – 3 year term
2. Director, Lower Mainland East Region – located in this region, for example: Surrey, Langley, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, etc. – 3 year term
3. Director, The North Region – located in this region, for example: Prince George, Prince Rupert, Smithers, Dawson Creek, Fort St John, etc. – 3 year term
4. Director At Large – located anywhere in British Columbia – 3 year term
5. Director At Large – located anywhere in British Columbia – 2 year term

Volunteer Position Time Commitment:

• Attend one Board meeting via conference call per month (these are currently on the 2nd Wednesday of each month). Joining projects, events and committees may require attending other meetings.
• Volunteer an average of 4-8 hours per month working on BCPF projects, committees, events, presentations, attending meetings, etc.
• Leading in-person social/educational events for Members in your area as needed and when opportunities come up.
• Most of our work is done virtually by phone, email, and Zoom. But the Board also meets as a group in-person once per year for the AGM or BC People First Conference. Your expenses for travel to these amazing events are provided by BCPF but travel costs are subject to our funding and grant allowances. (Due to the pandemic we are not currently doing any  of our usual large in-person events).

Requirements:

• Be a member of BCPF in good standing. Membership is FREE.
• Have a passion for our values and mission
• Attend all board meetings, cannot miss more than 3 meetings per year. (There is no Board meeting in August or December).
• Agree to adhere to the BCPF Code of Conduct, representing yourself and the Society in a positive way.
• If needed, have a person that you trust to advise/help/support you in the role if needed. (This person will give their contact info to BCPF).

Skills that help Board Members do their work:

• Attends meetings regularly
• Is willing to serve on committees
• Speaks up during the meeting, not after the decision
• Keeps comments relevant
• Asks for the opinion of others
• Understands how to compromise
• Gives praise to others when due
• Accepts the majority vote in motions
• Reads background material and minutes
• Organizes thoughts before presenting
• Listens when others speak
• Keeps confidentiality of discussions
• Receives and gives constructive criticism
• Keeps their community and peers informed of BCPF events
• Speaks as one voice outside the “boardroom”

To Nominate:

• Email us your name,  the position you are nominating for, and a short biography about you and why you want to be a Director of BCPF. Email us at hello@bcpeoplefirst.com or bcpfcoordinator@gmail.com.
• Nominations are due March 8th, 2021. There will NOT be nominations during the AGM event. This is because we need to send out the nomination candidate information to all BCPF Members for review 2 weeks before the AGM.