HomeMy WebLinkAboutCRPS-06-130 - Request Change in Board Composition - Centre In The Squarel
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Corporate Services
Report To: Chair Vrbanovic and Members of the Finance & Corporate
Services Commitee
Date of Meeting: September 5, 2006
Submitted By: R. Gosse, Director of Legislated Services/City Clerk
Prepared By: R. Gosse 2809
Ward(s) Involved: n/a
Date of Report: August 30, 2006
Report No.: CRPS-06-130
Subject: REQUEST CHANGE IN BOARD COMPOSITION -CENTRE
IN THE SQUARE
RECOMMENDATION:
That the composition of the Board of Directors for the Centre in the Square be amended by
increasing the number of Board members through the addition of two lay appointees to be
selected by the Board of Directors and ratified by the Council of the City of Kitchener, for a term
not to exceed three years; and,
That the position of Past Chair, ex-officio without voting rights, be created whereby the term of
the outgoing Chair of the Board of Directors is extended for one year to assist the newly elected
Chair in transitioning into the position and to act as a resource for the Board and new Chair; and
further,
That a By-law be prepared to enact this amendment to the Board of Directors of the Centre in
the Square.
BACKGROUND:
A request from the current Board of Directors of the Centre in the Square (request attached) has
been received asking that the number of Directors be increased by two and that a position of
Past Chair be created. Changes to the Board's composition by Council is authorized through the
Municipal Act, 2001 but must be enacted by By-law.
REPORT:
The current make-up of the Centre in the Square (CITS) Board of Directors is twelve members:
the mayor and three members of council; a representative of the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery;
a representative of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony; and, six members appointed by Council.
The operating and capital requirements surrounding fundraising have put a huge pressure on
these six members of the Board as it is hard for members of council and representatives of
other organizations to fundraise for CITS. In addition, a specific skill set may be required on a
continuing basis. With only 6 members from which to draw all of the necessary skills, there are
times when compromise is required rather than obtaining what is best for the Board.
In an effort to improve the Centre's chances of being successful at fundraising and to ensure
that the Board is fully able to fulfill its mandate, the Board respectfully requests that City Council
amend the composition of the Board by:
1. Expanding the Centre in the Square board by two members recommended by the
Board (outside of the current process) and ratified by Council, effective January 1st,
2007. The term of these individuals appointment would be for a period not to exceed
three years; and
2. Creating the office of past chair, to be an ex-officio member of the Board. The past
chair would be the person who has most recently served as the chair of the Board.
This person would serve for the year immediately following ceasing to be chair. The
role of the past chair would be to assist the new chair in transitioning to the position
and be a resource for the board and new chair. The past chair would be required to
attend all board meetings and all committee meetings as requested by the chair
and/or the General Manager.
It is proposed that the two additional Board members be selected by the Board based upon the
perceived needs at that point in time. Residency would not be a limitation on an individual's
selection. Although a willingness to serve the board is an important asset, the ability to raise
funds has grown in importance.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
n/a
R. Gosse - Director of Legislated Services