Society / Non-profit Director Positions

The New Marine Centre Society is looking for Board Members to participate in governance and oversight of the Society. The Society is responsible for the operations of the Shaw Center for the Salish Sea.

Position: Board Member (Member at Large)
Type: Board of Directors position / Unpaid Volunteer role
Organization: New Marine Centre Society operating as the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea
Location: Sidney, Vancouver Island, British Columbia

The Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea is Canada's only aquarium and learning centre focused on connecting the public with the Salish Sea bioregion. Our Mission is to create vibrant experiences that inspire learning, exploration, and protection of the unique Salish Sea bioregion. The Centre is located on the Sidney waterfront - on the traditional lands of the WSÁNEĆ Nations of the Coast Salish Indigenous peoples. Operating since 2009, the Centre has provided exhibits, programs, events and outreach experiences to more than a million visitors, inspiring people to learn about, explore, and conserve the Salish Sea. The work of the Centre is guided by a community-informed Strategic Plan 2022-2032.

As a unique non-profit organization, the Centre offers fun, interactive, and informative experiences of science and sustainability to visitors of all ages. The Centre combines live aquarium habitats and marine mammal artifacts with a permanent Coast Salish art collection, a feature gallery highlighting local conservation stories, as well as public and school-based learning programs, and the locally focused Salish Sea Store. 

Community is Key – The Centre could not operate without community support! The funds required to operate the Centre are generated from admissions, memberships, and the Salish Sea Store revenue, grants, and generous community donations, including an annual operating grant from the Town of Sidney (a leadership partner in the creation of our Centre). The Centre is governed, funded, and owned by the New Marine Centre Society - a registered charity.

Our Board is composed of community leaders dedicated to supporting our mission and sharing their professional expertise and community connections to further our cause. Our broader team includes a dynamic group of professional staff and a dedicated crew of facility-based volunteers (Oceaneers) whose work includes enhancing the learning experiences for visitors and supporting our professional Aquarist team in caring for over 3,000 marine organisms.

We consider diversity essential, not only to the health and vibrancy of the Salish Sea bioregion, but also to our workplace. At the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea, we celebrate the ways in which diverse identities and lived experiences inspire us to stretch our hearts and minds. As an organization and community, we are committed to cultivating an inclusive culture in which all people can find belonging and safety. We encourage applications from all underrepresented groups and identities. We are looking for fresh voices to bring new perspectives to our committed group of board members. The work of the board includes overseeing the strategy and providing guidance to the Executive Director and staff of the institution. This work takes place via in-person meetings, Zoom discussions, working groups, hands-on volunteering and written contributions. Board members with specific expertise, whether in capital campaign management, fundraising, marketing, or community engagement are encouraged to support the Executive Director by helping to drive positive change.

We are particularly interested in recruiting new board members:

• with interest in leadership, looking to develop into board Officer positions (President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary)
• with experience and interest in supporting the creation and implementation of a capital campaign for the Centre
• from under-represented groups, including Indigenous and other racialized community members, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

We are looking for committed, positive, thoughtful contributors who are looking to make a difference in their communities and are ready to put in the work. The time commitment varies based on what is happening for the Centre, the availability of the people involved and the position, but averages 2-10 hrs per month. Time commitments for board Officer positions average 8-15 hrs per month. Board Members are elected for two-year terms and are required to attend regular bi-monthly meetings and special events. Responsibilities of Board Members include:

• regular attendance at Centre events and activities (e.g., World Oceans Day celebration, A-Scare-Ium)
• adherence to the Society’s constitution,
• ensuring activities align with the established mission of the Society, and
• supporting the professional staff in securing and sustaining financial viability

Commitment of Board Members includes:

• an initial 2-year term (with potential for bi-annual re-election up to 6-years total),
• regular attendance at bi-monthly board meetings in Sidney (with virtual options as needed),
• participation in half-day and/or full-day retreats (1-2 annually),
• helping periodically with specific tasks supporting staff-led activities,
• periodic engagement with the Centre’s community events, and
• involvement in short-term task force work and/or committee opportunities.

If you are interested in this unique and rewarding opportunity, please send a letter of interest and your resume to Pauline Finn, Executive Director of the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea, pauline.finn@salishseacentre.org) by September 5, 2025.

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