Help Build Bedrock
Bedrock needs its first board of directors, to carry it from words on a page to a living community. And it’ll need plenty of other hands.
The founding board is forming
Thank you to everyone who came out on October 15, and to everyone who has put their name forward since. Here are the slides if you’d like to see what we covered, and a text version for screen readers.
Expressions of interest closed on October 30, and an initial board is coming together for mid-November. Questions? Write to info@bedrocksociety.ca.
From there, give or take:
- Early November: Follow-up conversations, and the draft governance documents for anyone who’d like to read them
- Mid-November: An initial board is confirmed
- Late November: The first working meeting
In the meantime, there’ll be plenty of other ways to be part of this. Join the mailing list and we’ll keep you posted.
Join the mailing list →Why Bedrock needs a founding board
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Test whether the idea survives serious scrutiny
More voices in the room, asking whether it makes sense.
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Turn one person’s proposal into a shared project
Something that lives and breathes by its members.
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Establish legitimate shared leadership
Required by law, so everyone can trust that this is democratic.
Who we’re hoping to find
People of conscience who share our values and recognize the problem described in this well-cited rant. People who ask hard questions and disagree respectfully, work well with others and follow through, and between them bring a mix of backgrounds, ages and social circles, younger people included.
No single director needs all of it. The essential qualification is caring that this be done well: democratically, transparently, and in a way that lasts. A founding board can only be so big, so we’ll also be weighing skills and availability, while keeping things gender balanced.
You don’t need to be certain. Skepticism is welcome, and frankly it’s probably a qualification. Send us the hard questions at info@bedrocksociety.ca.
What the work would involve
- Review and reshape the concept, purposes and values
- Review the draft governance documents, and set essential policies
- Incorporate as a BC society, and set up basic finances
- Plan the first gatherings, and how to welcome new members
- Act as leadership in the early stages of the society
3 to 5 hours
most weeks. Some will have more to give and some less, and that’s okay. A volunteer role.
Not an honorary or advisory title. Directors become the legal stewards of the society, with real duties and accountability under BC law.
Under the Societies Act, directors have to act honestly and in good faith in the society’s best interests, with the care a reasonably prudent person would take. Clicklaw has a good plain-language guide, including liability and conflicts of interest: Non-Profit Directors (Societies Act FAQs). See also the proposed director policies.
Some roles on the board
Examples, not a fixed list: the founding board decides how to share the work.
And others we’ll likely need
- Membership and welcome. How new people find us and settle in.
- Gatherings. The rhythm, from venue to clean-up.
- Care and support. How care is organized.
- Safeguarding. Protecting kids and vulnerable people.
- Culture and music. Curating and coordinating songs, readings and traditions.
- Communications. The website, socials and mailing list.
Wondering who’s asking? Meet Laurence →
Other ways to help
A board seat isn’t the only way to help. There will likely be lots more to do.
Interested in any of these? Write to info@bedrocksociety.ca and tell us what appeals, and we’ll be sure to stay in touch.