Directors' Responsibilities

The Board of Directors of the Merritt & District Chamber of Commerce are all volunteers.  For the most part, they are just hard-working business people who want to ensure that Merritt has a sound economic base and that businesses in town have a voice when it comes to municipal, provincial or federal issues that could have an effect on business. 

Our by-laws call for a minimum of 7 Directors, but we can accommodate up to 13 Directors.  If you are an officer of the Board, you can expect to spend at least an average of 6 - 8 hours a month on your duties as an officer of the Chamber.  As a Director-at-large, you will likely spend about 4 hours a month which would be attendance at the monthly Board meetings, reviewing materials, attending networking functions, etc.

There is so much literature on the subject of the responsibilities of directors in non-profit organizations, it would simply be impossible to list all of it here.  Additionally, each officer, being the President, Treasurer, Secretary, etc., also have their own list of responsibilities. The following is just a brief overview:

• Oversee the management and operations of the Chamber in accordance with the policies and by-laws of the Chamber and government regulations;
• Promote and actively encourage membership;
• Assist with recruitment and development of sub-committees and task forces for special projects;
• Act honestly, in good faith and in the best interests of the membership;
• Participate actively and constructively in the discussions of the Board;
• Support the decisions of the Board as a group even if your views are opposed;
• Make a concerted effort to attend monthly Board meetings, and to read all relevant material provided to you in advance for discussion at the meeting;
• NOT to represent the interest of special groups or individuals over the interests of the membership;
• NOT speak or act as a individual on behalf of the Board unless authorized to do so.

Legal Responsibilities

Directors of any non-profit organizations including the Merritt Chamber have legal responsibilities and liabilities concerning but not limited to the Employment Standards Act, Income Tax Act and the Canadian Environmental Act.  Additionally, directors owe a duty of utmost faith to their membership and are obligated to account for funds received and to safeguard the Chamber's property and possesions.  When you resign as a director or complete your term, this relieves you of any future liability, however, you could be liable for any legal issues that arise during your tenure as a director even after you have resigned.  The Merritt & District Chamber of Commerce has Directors & Officers Liability Insurance to protect Directors from these costs and liabilities.  To further protect yourself always follow these guidelines:

• You must act honestly and in good faith and in the best interests of the Chamber;
• Exercise the care, diligence and skill of a reasonably prudent person, in exercising the powers and performing the functions as a director;
• Review the Chamber's constitution and by-laws;
• Ensure that you are on record for any dissention of Board decisions;
• Obtain and review all financial statements;
• Any confidential information you are given remains confidential.

Directors are elected at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) which is being held on March of 2011.  You do not need any special experience, education or background to be a Director, just be ready for the time committment and be enthusiastic!  You will learn alot, meet new people, have some fun and be involved in one of the most important organizations any city has - The Chamber of Commerce.

Disclaimer:  the above information is not a legal document and has been obtained from various outside sources.  It is not to be construed as complete or absolute regarding the subject matter.