Become a TOTA Board Director

 

Overview

The TOTA Board of Directors is comprised of 15 volunteer members (14 directors and the Past Chair) representing tourism sectors and subregions from around the Thompson Okanagan region in British Columbia, Canada.

TOTA seeks enthusiastic and energetic tourism professionals to volunteer as board directors, to represent the interests of Thompson Okanagan communities and tourism, and guide the strategic direction and policies of the organization.

Directors are elected annually and announced at the TOTA Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Director Role & Commitments

The TOTA Board guides TOTA to best support regional tourism stakeholders and communities. Going forward, there is much work to be done as we work towards a resilient, sustainable tourism industry.

TOTA board members commit to a two-year volunteer term, with the following schedule:

  • Regular board meetings, board retreat, and AGM (5 in-person meetings / year,)

  • New board director introduction session (1 video call)

  • Option to join the Finance & Audit Committee (4 video calls / year)

  • Option to join the Governance Committee (4 video calls / year)

  • Additional communications and discussions (as required)

In the first board meeting, the board directors elect board members to serve the executive positions of Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary-Treasurer.

TOTA board directors are also directors of the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Foundation (TOTF), a charitable foundation created to nurture, preserve, and enhance recreational trail systems and rail trail corridors that connect healthy vibrant communities across the Thompson Okanagan region. TOTF meetings are usually held in conjunction with TOTA meetings.

Eligibility Criteria

Based on the TOTA Constitution & Bylaws, to nominate/vote and to qualify as a Board Nomination Candidate, the company or organization must meet the following criteria:

  1. A registered stakeholder with TOTA.

  2. In good standing with TOTA.

  3. A Voting Member (Participated in either A) TOTA program; OR B) provided in-kind value; in the amount of $100 or more within 12 months prior to the call for nominations.)

  4. Nomination form signed by four voting stakeholders other than the nominee’s company.

To confirm eligibility, email AGM@TOTABC.com.

AGM & Election Schedule

The date of the AGM determines the election schedule, based on the following number of days before the AGM:

  1. 75 days: AGM Announcement

  2. 60 days: Call for Nominations begins

  3. 40 days: Close of Nominations

  4. 30 days: Electronic Voting begins

  5. 15 days: Close of Electronic Voting

  6. Day of: Election Results and first board meeting

The AGM is held in autumn, usually October or November, in concurrence with the TOTA Summit.

Nomination Process

  1. Confirm your eligibility.

  2. Review the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association Constitution and Bylaws.

  3. Download the Nomination Form and collect signatures from 4 voting members.

  4. Submit the Candidate Information Form, including the signed nomination form, contact information, portrait photo, and bio.

  5. Make arrangements to attend the TOTA AGM and, immediately afterwards, the first board meeting.

  6. Connect with Voting Stakeholders to encourage them to vote during the election period.

    1. Voting stakeholders will receive an email from TOTA through Election Runner (noreply@electionrunner.com) with the subject “Your Invitation to Vote for the TOTA Board of Directors - Election.”

  7. Attend the TOTA AGM to learn the election results and, if elected, attend the first board meeting to appoint executives and committees. If you are not available, you will be contacted shortly after the AGM and will have an opportunity to join committees at the next board meeting.

Election Process

  1. When the election period beings, the Voting Member Main Contact will receive an email from Election Runner voting platform (noreply@electionrunner.com). Voting members have 2 weeks to vote and will receive reminder emails. (If you did not receive the email, check your spam/promotions inbox, then email BoardLiaison@TOTABC.com for further assistance.

  2. Voters can review the candidate bios, sectors, and locations. They can select the candidates of their choice, depending on the number of openings available.

  3. After the voting period, the results will be reviewed with an independent scrutineer and sealed in an envelope in preparation for the AGM.

  4. The results will be announced at the TOTA AGM and board director terms take effect immediately.

  5. The new board directors will be announced on the TOTA News Centre and social media shortly after the AGM.

More Information

For questions about becoming a board member and eligibility, please email AGM@TOTABC.com.

 
 
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