Access Copyright – Call for Board Directors

Monday, September 14, 2020

Access Copyright has a fantastic opportunity for individuals interested in serving as a Director on our Board.

For over 30 years, Access Copyright has facilitated content use for educational and professional purposes. It helps people make customized use of published materials combined with an assurance that the original creators and publishers also benefit, so that they can continue creating new and innovative works. This is vitally important to a strong Canadian culture and to all who rely on quality publications.

Why serving on the Access Copyright Board is right for you:

Being an Access Copyright Board Director means you participate in ensuring creators and publishers are fairly compensated for the use of their works in an increasingly digitally connected world Because Paying the Creator Matters.

Directors make sure Access Copyright is able to carry out its social mission by determining policy as well as the organization’s strategic direction, making high-level decisions and providing guidance to senior management.

Access Copyright is a non-profit organization, and Board directors serve on a volunteer basis and receive a small honoraria on a semi-annual basis.

The Access Copyright Board meets quarterly, either in person in Toronto or remotely. Directors are also expected to attend the Access Copyright Annual General Meeting. Additionally, directors serving on a committee(s) can also expect to meet quarterly. Additional Board and committee meetings may be called, as required, throughout the year with advance notice.

If you have the passion, perspective and experience to contribute to Access Copyright, our Nominating Committee hopes to hear from you, especially if you have background and experience in any of the following areas:

• Advocacy and Government Relations;
• Financial Audit and Control;
• Visual Arts;
• Writing.

As a Board Director you are:

• Interested in the current changes occurring in the creator and publishing world, including technology and digital issues;
• Passionate that creators and publishers should be fairly compensated while also sensitive and knowledgeable of the challenges and needs of content users;
• Adept at both strategic and lateral thinking.

It would be great if you also have:

• Knowledge of basic financial and investment practices for businesses;
• Demonstrated skills in communications, negotiations and listening;
• Previous experience as a Board Director;
• Understanding of copyright, and the current legislative and political environment;
• Knowledge of licensing and contracts, and how copyright collectives work;
• Demonstrated skills in lobbying, problem solving, policy making and risk assessment.

Access Copyright strives to be an inclusive and safe space for all, and to accurately reflect the diversity of the various stakeholders that we serve. We strongly encourage expressions of interest from people who are members of marginalized and/or underserved/underrepresented communities, especially individuals who identify with: First Nations, Metis, or Inuit, or people of colour; diversegender and sexual identities (including LGBTQ2+); people living with dis/ability, etc.

How to Apply

Individuals interested in applying to serve on the Access Copyright Board are invited to send in a resumé and cover letter summarizing their qualifications to Robert Gilbert, Communications Specialist at Access Copyright, at info@accesscopyright.ca. The deadline for applications is October 9, 2020.

We thank everyone for their interest but only those selected for an interview by the Nominating Committee will be contacted.

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a short assignment prior to an interview. The Committee will also conduct a reference check for shortlisted candidates.

Candidates nominated by the Nominating Committee as director candidates to the Board for a three-year term must be approved by Access Copyright’s membership at its 2020 Annual General Meeting on April 16, 2021.

Access Copyright is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities. If you require an accommodation, kindly let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs.