The Board of Directors - DMG Community Docs

All new and renewing Directors:

Agree to abide by the Directors' Code of Conduct
Sign a confidentiality agreement
Disclose all conflicts of interest
Complete anti-racism/anti-oppression training or affirm a personal ARAO framework

These documents are stored with the corporate records and are available for inspection by any Member.

Role of Directors

The directors of the board manage the affairs of the organization and to apply the Bylaws of DMG. They also have a duty to:

Be informed

Be aware of and comply with all applicable government legislation and statutes, including the Corporations Act (ONCA), The Income Tax Act, Employment Insurance Act, Employment Standards Act, Occupational Health & Safety Act
Learn and understand how DMG operates and become familiar with its Bylaws, procedures, operations and activities
Act responsibly, in good faith and in the best interest DMG, exercising the care, diligence and skill of a reasonably prudent person in exercising powers and performing the duties of a Director
Act cautiously and anticipate possible consequences of any course of action that the Board may choose to undertake.

Maintain confidentiality

Keep all sensitive (financial, personal, etc.) information in your custody or control by virtue of your position as a Director between you and your fellow Directors

Be diligent and proactive

Always act in the best interest of DMG and become as reasonably informed as possible with all aspects of its operations.

Review the agenda and supporting material in advance of each meeting
Regularly attend meetings of the Board and committees to which the Director is appointed
Vote on matters that come before the Board

Avoid conflict of interest

Act at all times in the best interest of and in accordance with the Conflict of Interest Policy

Maintain a anti-oppressive framework

All board members must either complete advanced anti-racism/anti-oppression training, or affirm a personal ARAO framework/practice. We ask board members to regularly revisit training and reflect on how they can personally confront oppressive systems of white supremacy and patriarchy.

We make a collective commitment to hold each board member accountable for their own behavior and actions.

Resources

Board Member Code of Conduct

Collaborative Decision-making

The Board is committed to effective decision-making and speaking with one voice. Towards this end board members:

Reflect their understanding of member and stakeholder interests
Represent one’s own view as an individual view
Build on other’s ideas and offer alternative points of view
Endeavour in good faith to reach consensus
Once made, support and defend board decisions

Authority, Confidentiality and External Communication

The Board is committed to clear, unified and uncompromising communication with staff, stakeholders and members of the public. Toward this end, board members must:

Not disclose or discuss differences of opinion on the board outside of board meetings
Help create a culture of confidentiality within the organization
Refrain from speaking for the organization unless authorized to do so
Honor all contractual obligations and organizational commitments
Base decisions in the best interests of the organization and disclose any relationship that might be viewed as a conflict of interest (see Conflict of Interest Policy)

Internal Communication and Values

The Board is committed to building relationships built on trust with members, staff, directors and volunteers. Towards this end board members must:

Maintain trust through ongoing transparent communication
Share credit for the work of the organization with collaborators and contributors
Support the community agenda over individual agendas
Encourage conversations that build deep understanding of all perspectives, so we can learn together
Actively support the prevention of discrimination and harassment within the organization
Support programming that reflects the diverse social and cultural fabric of artistic communities in which we operate
Treat other directors, staff, members and the public with respect and trust, always demonstrating our values

Remuneration

As a not-for-profit corporation governed by the NFP Act (and not a registered charity), any DMG director, officer or member may receive reasonable remuneration and expenses for any services to the corporation that are performed in any other capacity (e.g., in the capacity of a consultant to DMG). The board may, from time to time, establish an annual remuneration cap for individual directors.

Accountability

The Board of Directors is collectively accountable to Members, the broader DMG and Toronto media arts and video game arts communities, neighborhood residents, funders and stakeholders.

This accountability supersedes any conflicting loyalty to advocacy groups, interest groups, sponsors or private donors.

Board members are accountable to the Board.

Board Self-Assessment

The Board is responsible for its own operations. In accordance with this policy the Board monitors and evaluates its own performance on an ongoing basis and at least once per year, conducts a formal self-evaluation.