Info for Board Members

What Do Members Do

Board members spend time with the person, being a friend in whatever way is natural for those involved. Together, the Microboard will help the person experience a fulfilling life by helping them:

plan their life
brainstorm and problem solve
advocate for what they need
do fun things together
connect to their community
monitor support services and make sure they are safe

This will require regular meetings of the Board, which will be held more frequently at the beginning or when issues need to be addressed.

Options to be an Employer

Your Board Wants to Be an Employer

The Microboard or Person Centred Society may want to access funding for the individual and do the following:

Become the employer and hire support workers.
Contract a respite caregiver.
Find a home share provider.

Microboards or Person Centred Societies that decide to become an employer must be organized, committed, and have the time to be the employer of record. In the beginning, this can be time-consuming, but your Vela Mentor can help you.

Your Board Does Not Want to Be an Employer

If being the employer of record is too much for the Board and your funding is from Community Living BC, you have several choices.

You can:

Request that the funding be directed through an approved service provider.
Access Individualized Funding. In this case the person can act as their own Agent or choose a trusted family member or friend to be the Agent. The Agent can either manage services directly through Direct Funding or request a Host Agency to manage the funding and provide support and services.

Liability

When you form a Microboard, it’s important to understand the risks involved. Whether your board is focused on advocacy or providing services (such as hiring staff, contracting respite, or arranging home share support), directors must know how to reduce and manage liability.

Board Member Roles

Most Board Members will also serve as Board Directors, and in both roles, they must follow the rules for non-profit societies that are outlined in their bylaws. In BC, this includes having an annual general meeting and a register of members. Regular meetings help everyone stay connected and on track.

Board Directors serve in the following positions:

President – sets the agenda and runs the meetings of the society.
Vice President – carries out the duties of the president when they are not available.
Secretary – notifies everyone of meetings, keeps meeting minutes, keeps records and documents for the society, and keeps a register of members.
Treasurer – keeps the financial records of the society (you may still need a bookkeeper).

Principles

All Microboards that we facilitate use the following principles and guidelines as their building blocks for development.

Guidelines

The values and beliefs that guide Vela Microboards are found in your constitution and Vela’s Guiding Principles.

Conflict of Interest

We have put together a recommended conduct policy statement for society participants. Learn more by clicking the link below (a new PDF document will open).