As a CIRA member, you likely know our mission is to build a trusted internet for all Canadians, but did you know this mission is something that you can help us advance? Exclusively for CIRA members, joining the board through the member’s slate is an opportunity to participate in the governance of CIRA at the highest level—as a CIRA board member! CIRA is governed by a Board of Directors, and every year a few seats on the board open. This year, we are looking for qualified members to fill one seat on the board.
Do you have the skills and experience to lead CIRA’s strategic direction? Curious about the process? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about applying!
The role of the Board
The role of CIRA’s Board is to guide our organization. The Board of Directors provides strategic direction and oversight; they support CIRA as it fulfills its mandate to manage the .CA domain, as a key public resource, for the benefit of all Canadians. The board helps CIRA build a trusted internet for Canadians through initiatives like the Community Investment Program, cybersecurity products and so much more.
What skills and experience should candidates have?
Every year, we post a report outlining the skills and experience needed to achieve a functional and balanced board. This also lets members know what to keep in mind when voting for candidates.
These are the skills and experience we’re looking for this year:
- A passion for Canada’s internet
- Experience in the domain name industry in which CIRA operates, including an understanding of the current and emerging business and industry trends
- Deep financial acumen as a credentialed practitioner
- Knowledge of key components of cybersecurity
- Entrepreneurial experience at the executive level, in starting a technology business or pursuing a “go to market” strategy at the enterprise or line of business level
- Ability to understand environmental and internal risks, opportunities and implications that may impact CIRA
- An understanding of areas of law related to CIRA’s business, such as internet, IT, DNS, and privacy
- Leadership skills with the ability to be open to others’ perspectives and build consensus
It’s important to note that positions on CIRA’s board are not considered entry-level. It’s imperative that all its members have solid board experience and a good understanding of the duties and responsibilities of directors and board governance in the not-for-profit and/or the for-profit space.
Who can apply?
Only CIRA members who have the necessary skills and experience, meet the qualification requirements and can commit to the conditions of directorship are welcome to apply.
A few things to know before applying:
- Nominees, candidates and, if elected, directors, must meet the “Qualification” requirements defined in subsection 3.03 of CIRA’s By-law on the day the Election Period begins (September 15, 2022).
- Directors serve three-year terms.
- The minimum time commitment to perform board and committee duties is around 10 to 15 hours per month and approximately 15 business days per year.
- Directors must be able to fulfill the requirements and responsibilities of their position, for example:
- Preparing for and attending board and committee meetings
- Upholding their fiduciary obligations and working cooperatively and respectfully with other board directors and advisors
- Complying with legislation governing the corporation, the corporation’s by-laws and policies and all other applicable rules
- Directors must sign an oath of office to adhere to CIRA’s rules, regulations and policies prior to the commencement of their term of office.
What is the process?
There are two steps to becoming a candidate on the member’s slate. Interested and qualified CIRA members can apply online starting July 21, 2022. To become a final candidate on the member’s slate, you must receive at least 20 shows of support from members during the online show of support period starting August 18, 2022.
The application:
Interested and qualified applicants must complete and submit an application that includes:
- answers to questions related to their background, skills, and experience
- Member ID
- a candidate statement
- answers to three mandatory questions
- their resume
- reading and agreeing to a nominee declaration
Since this application period is only open to CIRA members, you will need to provide your member ID for verification of active membership. Locating your member ID is easy! Log into your CIRA member profile; your member ID is located on the top left of the page under your name.
Review for completeness:
During the application period, CIRA staff review all applications to ensure they are complete, include all required attachments and have been submitted on time.
Declaration of conflicts:
As a member nominee, you must complete a declaration regarding conflicts of interest and financial associations. This declaration is reviewed by CIRA’s independent election Returning Officer for any conflicts that would prevent an applicant from becoming a candidate.
If you’re eligible to become a candidate, your statement and answers to mandatory questions will be included in your election profile which is posted publicly on CIRA’s election website in preparation for the show of support period.
Show of support:
To become a candidate on the final member’s slate, you must receive at least 20 shows of support from other members. Showing support for nominees is done entirely online. CIRA will send an email to each eligible member on August 18, 2022 containing a link to the show of support site and a unique voter ID and PIN number to login.
What opportunities are available to CIRA’s Board?
Board members help CIRA in its mandate to build a trusted internet for Canadians. On top of that, some other opportunities that come with the role include:
- Gaining valuable insight and experience developing and implementing policies that support Canada’s internet community and the .CA registry internationally.
- Applying your skills and expertise to help develop the strategic direction of CIRA.
- Working with Canada’s top digital leaders and technologists.
- Receiving compensation for your work.
For more information on CIRA’s Board of Directors election, you can go to www.cira.ca/election.
About CIRA membership
CIRA is a member-based organization that values the input of its members and their contributions to enabling a trusted internet. Having a .CA and being a CIRA member supports the great work we do for Canada’s internet.
Membership is free and only open to .CA holders. It remains active so long as your domain(s) remain registered—there’s no additional renewal process beyond renewing your .CA domain name!
If you’re not a member and have a .CA domain name—become one! Don’t have a .CA domain name? What are you waiting for—register yours today.
As the Manager of Membership Relations at CIRA, Julie manages the development, planning and delivery of CIRA’s membership and Member-related activities and engagement. She strives to create opportunities for Members and consumers, and partners to share, connect, and learn and get the most out of their relationship with CIRA.
