Have a Hand In the Tyrconnell Heritage Society Board of Directors

Tyrconnell Heritage Society, operators of Backus-Page House Museum, are seeking volunteers to serve on the Board of Directors for 3 year, 2 year and 1 year terms commencing March 3, 2021. 

Please read the role of a Board Director and the role of the Cultural Manager below so you understand in advance how we operate.  The board meets the third Wednesday of each month.

Interested individuals are required to be minimum of 18 years of age; pay your annual Tyrconnell Heritage Society membership for 2021; complete and submit a Recruitment Form to the nominating committee; and encouraged to attend the Annual General Meeting on March 3, 2021, 7pm at Backus-Page House Museum or virtually if required by public health guidelines.

Documents are available by emailing info@backuspagehouse.ca or by calling 519-762-3072.  

The Board of Directors will post the approved candidacy list online, 40 days prior to the Annual General Meeting.  

Submission deadline to be considered for nomination and election is December 31, 2020.

Attn: Nominating Committee

Tyrconnell Heritage Society

Box 26, 29424 Lakeview Line

Wallacetown, ON, N0L 2M0

The Nomination Committee consists of Brian Elliott (West Elgin Genealogical & Historical Committee and current Board Member), Marcus Frazer (current Board Member), Angela Bobier (staff representative) and Lin McCann (current society member).

We are currently seeking individuals with carpentry skills, agricultural knowledge, fundraising, demonstrable heritage skills, exhibit building, document digitization, writing, museum work, and environment or nature interests.

The Distinction Between the Roles of the Board and Cultural Manager Is Part of Good Governance

The broad explanation of duties is that the board and its President are largely responsible for oversight, risk management and strategic planning.

The Cultural Manager and staff are largely responsible for implementing the board’s strategic plan and managing the daily activities of the organization.

How Does the Role of the Board Differ From That of the Cultural Manager?

It’s important to remember that the board is responsible for all OVERSIGHT, governance activities, including overseeing legal issues, financial issues (budgets), and issues related to people (staff and volunteers) and programs.

A board of directors has many legal and fiduciary responsibilities. They must know and understand all applicable provincial, federal and local laws that pertain to the organization. The board also provides legal oversight in all areas and relays pertinent legal information to the Cultural Manager and staff as needed.

The board makes sure that the operations of the organization stay aligned with the mission, vision and values of the organization. This is important for organizations that have tax-exempt status because they must continue to operate under the same purpose for which the government granted them non profit status.

What Are the Duties and Responsibilities of the Cultural Manager?

The President typically serves as the liaison between the board and management. The Cultural Manager attends board meetings to stay in the loop of board business.  The Cultural Manager keeps the board informed about what the staff and volunteers are doing. It’s important for the Cultural Manager to provide the board with feedback on progress toward achieving goals for the strategic plan and any budget needed to fulfill the expected duties.

The Cultural Manager accepts direct responsibility for executing the organization’s policies, programs and initiatives.   Cultural Managers manage all of the day-to-day responsibilities of the organization, including managing staff and volunteers, as they work toward fulfilling the organization’s charitable purpose.  Another important duty of the Cultural Manager is to serve as the face and public spokesperson for the organization.