Agrology, Agricultural stewardship 

Position: Lay Board Member
Type: non-profit / association board (unpaid)
Organization: BC Institute of Agrologists
Location: Virtual and in person. Qualified candidates living in BC may apply

One Lay Board Member position with the British Columbia Institute of Agrologists

Business and Structure

Founded in 1947, the British Columbia Institute of Agrologists (BCIA) is the regulator for the profession of agrology in British Columbia.

Through registration requirements, mandatory professional development, and professional conduct standards, including complaint and discipline procedures, BCIA protects the public interest in the province's agricultural, environmental, and natural resource sectors.

Learn more about the business and structure here.

Strategic Direction

Our purpose is to foster and support competent, ethical, and adaptive agrology practices to support the stewardship, balance and care for all interconnected, natural systems in British Columbia.

Our Vision for the next three years includes:

• Agrology professionals are engaged with our work, understand what is expected of them, and are committed, individually and collectively, to their role as stewards of our natural systems;
• Our regulatory programs are effective, fulfill our purpose and align with our guiding principles;
• As a regulator we are trusted and relied upon; we are seen as collaborators and invited to provide our expertise and unique perspective and influence broader policy and system change;
• We are able to do big things because of our resilient governance and operational foundations – built to support people aligned in purpose and vision.

Learn more about the Strategic Direction here.

Vacant Position(s)

There will be 1 vacancy on the board. The following experience and qualifications are being sought for the position currently under consideration:

Diversity and Inclusion

People from all regions of our province are invited to help renew B.C.’s public sector boards. Consideration will be given to qualified individuals with a broad range of backgrounds in community, labour and business environments. The selection process will recognize lived experience and volunteer roles as well as paid employment and academic achievements.

We are committed to supporting strong organizations that represent the diversity of our province. Indigenous applicants, people of colour, all genders, 2SLGBTQ+ and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Experience and Qualifications

Basic requirements:

• BC resident;
• Not be a registrant of BCIA;
• Not be a committee member on a committee of a regulatory body under the Professional Governance Act;
• Not be a registrant of another regulatory body under the Professional Governance Act;
• Preference given to residents living outside of Metro Vancouver and Victoria.

Specific experience and qualifications:

Having regard to the existing competencies of the Board, the following competencies would strengthen the expertise of the BCIA board:

• Expertise in not-for-profit board governance, regulatory board experience strongly preferred
• Substantial experience in Indigenous Truth and Reconciliation work strongly preferred
• Experience in risk and reputation management;
• Experience in strategy development and implementation oversight.
• Experience in post-secondary curriculum development and evaluation an asset
• Experience in financial management/or accounting an asset
• Experience in human resource management an asset

Ideally all lay board members are expected to demonstrate the following personal attributes:

• Meaningful commitment to Indigenous Truth and Reconciliation and willingness to engage in a continuous learning journey
• commitment to and accepting of diverse thinking and inclusive practices
• high ethical standards and integrity in professional and personal dealings;
• appreciation of the responsibilities to the public;
• able and willing to raise potentially controversial issues in a manner that encourages dialogue
• flexible, responsive and willing to consider others’ opinions;
• capable of a wide perspective on issues;
• ability to listen and work as a team member;
• strong reasoning skills;
• able and willing to fulfill time commitment required to carry out responsibilities;
• commitment to continuous learning about the organization and the relevant sector or industry.

Role and Responsibilities

Role

The role of a BCIA board member is to provide strategic and fiduciary oversight for the organization following the Complementary Governance Model, ensuring it is making decisions in the public interest and fulfilling its mandate as set forth in the Professional Governance Act.

Responsibilities

The BCIA Board follows a complementary governance model which:

• Establishes clear guidelines: The Complementary Model defines the roles of board members and staff.
• Promotes collaboration: The Complementary Model encourages collaboration between board members and staff.
• Ensures accountability: The Complementary Model ensures that the CEO is accountable to the board for implementing the board's policies.

Organization Accountabilities

The BCIA is mandated through the Professional Governance Act and is governed by an 11-member board consisting of 7 elected registrant members and 4 publicly appointed lay members. BCIA also has several statutory committees that oversee its regulatory processes. Daily operations and execution of the strategic direction are overseen by a CEO/Registrar who is supported by a 5 member staff team.

In carrying out its work, the board operates within the broad policy direction set by government and budget set by the Board.

Time Commitment

Normally, the Board meets approximately five to seven times per year. Approximately 2 meetings are held in person in the lower mainland, 1 meeting is held in person at a location that is rotated around BC. These meetings typically are for two days on a Friday and Saturday.

Approximately 2-3 meetings are held virtually on weekday evenings and are primarily focused on a single topic or issue, usually related to regulatory or fiduciary requirements (i.e. annual fiscal audit).

There is also preparation time required for each meeting with meeting materials posted to a secure, electronic site two weeks in advance of the scheduled board meeting. Board members are asked to supply their own laptop or other device to view materials on.

New Board members receive a half-day orientation, and all Board members receive a 1/2-day governance/orientation refresher annually.

In addition, some board members sit on board working groups.

It should be noted that the board meeting schedule is evolving and may change over the term of this appointment. As such, the candidate should also be willing to meet during regular work hours.

Term

Lay Board member terms under the Professional Governance Act are for three years, with no more than six consecutive years for successive terms. The Lieutenant Governor in Council may set a term for an individual Lay Board member that is shorter than three years. The CABRO policy of appointing Lay Board members is for one year followed by two-year and three-year renewals for a maximum of six years to be followed subject to satisfactory performance and continued interest of the Lay Board member.

Compensation

At this time the BCIA Board is a volunteer board and its members are not provided per diems or honorariums. All travel expenses to attend board meetings are reimbursed by BCIA.

Board Composition

Learn more about the board composition here:
BCIA Board | BC Institute of Agrologists

Current Board Members and Senior Executives

Learn more about the current board members here:
BCIA Board | BC Institute of Agrologists

Learn more about the current staff team here:
BCIA Staff | BC Institute of Agrologists

Process for Submitting Expressions of Interest

You may submit an Expression of Interest in serving on this board by clicking on the “Apply” button at the top of the posting on the Crown Agencies and Board Resourcing Office (CABRO) website here. For more information on the board, refer to the Directory of Organizations website. For information on CABRO, refer to CABRO website.

British Columbia Appointment Guidelines

Appointments to British Columbia’s public sector organizations are governed by written general conduct guidelines.

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