Call for Board & Committee Members - SkirtsAfire Festival

Looking to help make a difference in increasing the number of women in the arts? Consider joining the Board of Directors or a Committee of SkirtsAfire!

Founded in 2012, our local non-profit charitable organization is dedicated to showcasing, empowering, and supporting women in the arts. Through our annual programming, we create a platform for women and non-binary artists to share their work across diverse art forms. We aim to present powerful and meaningful stories to a diverse audience that is eager to be moved by passionate performances and exhibitions.

SkirtsAfire is now welcoming applications for new members to join our Board of Directors and Committees. As our programming continues to expand and our team grows, we remain committed to doing better, thinking bigger, and empowering artists and audiences through the vibrant community we’ve built.

As a Board member, you’ll collaborate with a dynamic, inclusive, and enthusiastic team to strengthen governance, enhance organizational structures, and develop processes that support our ongoing growth. You’ll play a key role in supporting fundraising efforts and providing strategic guidance to help us achieve our mission. As a Committee member, you’ll assist the Board in planning and executing strategic initiatives, offering the opportunity to apply your existing skills or develop new ones. Our festival continues to grow – join us in supporting women in the arts and making a lasting impact in Edmonton.

Time commitment: Approximately 2-6 hours depending on your role

Term: Two-year terms for Board Members, up to 3 consecutive terms (6 years total)

Qualifications:

• Leadership, management or professional background in either finance, accounting, human resources, legal, marketing, fundraising, communications or public relations. Individuals working toward a designation are welcome to apply.
• Experience with non-profit Board governance and funding is an asset, or an interest to grow experience in this area.
• Ability to fulfill the time commitment and responsibilities of the role.
• Motivated and inclusive team player.

To apply: Fill out the form below. We encourage you to share examples of actions, skills, or experiences from your volunteer, professional, or personal life that align with and support the vision and mission of SkirtsAfire.

Visit the rest of our website to learn more about SkirtsAfire, or review the job descriptions below. Thank you for your interest! We’re excited to learn more about you.

Board Member

ACCOUNTABILITY

Accountable to the members, community, funders and other stakeholders
Accountable for the Society’s performance in relation to its mission and strategic objectives
Effective stewardship of financial and human resources

RESPONSIBILITY

Acting in the best long-term interests of the Society and the community
Bring informed decision-making by way of a broad knowledge and inclusive perspective

TIME COMMITMENT

Approximately six hours a month (board meetings, preparing for board meetings, participating in committees and attending special events)

PRIMARY BOARD DUTIES:

Operations:

Prepare for, attend and participate in board meetings
Contribute to the Board’s culture of inclusivity – listen to others’ views, advocate their own, identify common interests and alternatives, and be open to compromise
Consider serving on a sub-committee and make a serious commitment to actively participate in committee work
Volunteer for and willingly accept assignments, and complete them thoroughly and on time
Support and participate in fundraising activities
Abide by the by-laws, code of conduct, conflict of interest and other policies that apply to the board
Attend and participate in the Annual General Meeting

Governance:

Participate in the review of the Society’s mission and objectives and in the development of a strategic plan
Support governance decisions once made
Help the board monitor the performance of the Society in relation to its mission, objectives, core values and reputation
Ensure the Society’s financial affairs are conducted in a responsible and transparent manner
Monitor risk management and performance
Help establish, review and monitor operational policies
Participate in evaluation of the board itself
Participate in the hiring, evaluation and releasing (if required) of the Artistic Director

Advocacy:

Be an ambassador for the Society – ensure ones’ involvement is known within their own network of friends and contacts
Keep informed about community issues relevant to the mission and objectives of the Society
Support the annual Festival by volunteering and/or attending Festival events
Identify prospective board members and possibly help recruit them

KEY JOB REQUIREMENTS

Knowledge of the community
Commitment to the Society’s mission and strategic directions
A commitment of time
Attendance at board meetings
Openness to learning
Technical skills that support the work of the Society and Board (e.g. financial, leadership, organizational, strategic planning, budgeting, governance)

Finance & Audit Committee

The Finance & Audit Committee supports the Board in a variety of ways, including supporting the treasurer, succession planning for finance specific roles, and reviewing the year end financials. We also support the Artistic Director and Managing Director with guidance on budgeting, investing, and general financial matters.

Successful candidates will be joining a dynamic, supportive team with a variety of skills and backgrounds. This is an opportunity to grow financial skills in the non-profit sector as well as gain board experience.

Our Committee is excited to help the organization build a strong foundation for growth. If you have interest in joining us on our journey, we’d love to meet you and learn more about your interests and experience!

Human Resources Committee

The Human Resources (HR) Committee supports the Board in a variety of ways, including recruitment, organizational development and effectiveness, and governance activities. We also support the Artistic Director and Managing Director with guidance on staffing matters.

Successful candidates will be joining a dynamic, supportive team with a variety of skills and backgrounds. You may be involved in one or more of the following activities:

Board and Committee recruitment
Onboarding
Policy planning and development
Strategic planning
Organizational development and performance
Staffing and salary guidance

Fundraising & Casino Committee

We’re a creative bunch in the Fundraising Committee! We welcome those with a variety of skills, such as fundraising, or event/project management, experience with casinos, marketing, communications… or wanting to gain experience in these areas.

As a Committee member, you’ll help us brainstorm, plan and execute SkirtsAfire’s annual fundraiser and coordinate the casino. Casinos host charity organizations such as SkirtsAfire approximately every two years and this is regulated by the AGLC. Casino funding is one of our largest revenue sources.

The Fundraising Committee:

Recommends to the Board ideas for various fundraising efforts throughout the year;
Advises on details of the annual fundraiser including but not limited to, theme, date, location, and budget;
Reports to the Board on committee decisions, updates, and feedback from the fundraiser;
Schedules key casino roles and volunteer positions;
Provides the AGLC with required documentation to support SkirtsAfire’s gaming licence. This information is time sensitive and detailed; and
Contacts casino volunteers and keeps them informed following up to the event and after.

Our next casino dates are September 12 & 13 at the Grand Villa Casino in Rogers Place (10204 104 Ave NW, Edmonton). SkirtsAfire hires a Casino Advisor who helps the committee navigate the casino fundraising process. The Advisor actively provides information and guidance before, during and after the event. Although the demands of the casino committee appear to peak during the casino dates, there are some interesting projects that are part of the committee tasks. AGLC will provide online training sessions for the Committee members in advance.

We have a lot of fun working together, and we’re so fortunate to have a dedicated Board and key staff who fully support us through it all!

Diversity & Inclusion Committee

SkirtsAfire is looking for diverse voices to join our Board to help guide the organization in its growth. We aim to promote and celebrate the inclusion of individuals of all identities such as gender, gender identity and expression, age, race, religion and other protected grounds.

As part of a newly formed team, and in consultation with the Board the diversity committee will:

Help define the goals of the committee that connect to the broader strategic plan
Identify and leverage relationships across a diverse range of communities to raise awareness of the organization’s work
Provide opportunities for mentorship and collaborative leadership
Perform other activities including but not limited to facilitating groups, consulting, conducting research and reporting on outcomes, as determined by committee goals

Successful candidates will have demonstrated success in the ability to:

Cultivate meaningful connections across diverse views
Promote an inclusive environment and generative relationships across all realms of diversity
Be an inclusive team player – where differing views are heard and each person is seen for their contributions
Know how to lead, and equally as important, know how to follow/enable others to lead
Seek first to understand, and strive to assume best intentions
Understand and acknowledge that different forms of communication may cause barriers in reaching final consensus, and strive to reach best possible outcomes for the organization through effective compromise and communication
Be considerate of other structural forms that account for and include diversity in decision making, making for a more diverse, inclusive environment and better understanding of all and especially marginalized communities

Governance & Nomination Committee

The Governance & Nominatino Committee is responsible for board rules and responsibilities, board knowledge, onboarding policy and the mentoring of new board members, succession planning, board leadership, board recruitment, and overseeing committee structures.

Successful candidates will be joining a dynamic, supportive team with a variety of skills and backgrounds. This is an opportunity to grow board governance skills in the non-profit sector as well as gain board experience.

Our Committee is excited to help the organization create a strong structure for growth. If you have interest in joining us on our journey, we’d love to meet you and learn more about your interests and experience!