Get involved.... join the WMS board and help us build equitable community

Who is the Whistler Multicultural Society?

The Whistler Multicultural Society (WMS) formed out of a grassroots group of local newcomers and immigrants who wanted to build the profile and voice of our diverse community members. For eight years (until COVID), the WMS organized the annual Whistler Multicultural Festival, a celebration of cultural arts, crafts, song, dance and activities from local immigrant and Indigenous communities. Over that time, WMS also started sourcing funding for programing and services to support immigrants and newcomers. In late 2019, the advisory board of local immigrants decided to incorporate as a non-profit society so that the work of supporting immigrants and newcomers, together with initiatives to build awareness and understanding of cultural diversity, could continue in an expanded and more structured way. WMS formally incorporated as a non-profit society in BC on January 29, 2020.

What does a non-profit board do?

A non-profit board is responsible for guiding a non-profit or charitable organization in its management, policies and goals. From fundraising to operations management to goal setting and more, the board holds all of the power for a non-profit organization.

The term "non-profit" does not mean that the organization does not make money. Instead, it simply means it exists to provide a service to the community, not to earn money. A board is made up of several members, between 5 and 11 for the WMS. These members are not employees of the (charity) organization. Non-profit board members are always volunteers and cannot be paid for the work they do as a non-profit board director.

The main responsibility of a non-profit board is to make sure the organization is living up to its expectations. The group gets together frequently to review its mission statement and policies, to make sure that they are being performed by the organization. If the board finds these expectations are not being met, the board has the power to change policies.

A non-profit board also is in charge of operations for the entire organization. This does not mean they supervise the hiring of every employee, but they guide upper-management hiring so that senior management implements the vision and plans developed by the board.

Finances are another key concern for a non-profit board. The board routinely investigates the books of the non-profit organization, noting whether the incoming and outgoing money meets expectations. They also are in charge of dealing with fundraising plans. The board usually determines how much money the organization will need to operate and makes suggestions about ways to raise the needed money.

Lastly, the non-profit board, or at least its president, normally functions as the public face of the organization. When interviews with the media need to be completed, members of the board often step in front of the microphone because of their inside knowledge and expertise. Members of the board are often also expected to make appearances at public events in order to help promote the organization.

Who's a good match for a WMS board member?

• having an interest in, and time to get involved in, your community

• having a passion for fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion

• wanting to build opportunities for newcomers, immigrants, and people of colour to participate and have a voice

• interested in learning about community leadership

• wanting to use your skills and experience in a supportive and involved environment

• having lived experience of bias, racism, and discrimination is respected and valued

WMS is committed to providing training, support, and development for all board members. Bring your skills and experiences to this opportunity to drive and build an IBPOC-led organization for your community.