OLA At-Large Positions
Governance Policies and Procedures
Policy Number: GO6.5 | Policy Type: Board Officer’s Roles and Accountability | Approval Date: Nov 2023 | Last Revised: April 2026 | Scheduled Review: Every 3 Years (2028)
Introduction
[In conjunction with Operational By-Law 2, Articles 6.03]
Position Summary
Responsible in partnership with the other Board members for leading the association through the implementation of the strategic plan by performing fiduciary, strategic and policy responsibilities. The At-Large Members sit for the purpose of bringing priority voices to the Board table, based on initiatives and priorities of the current Strategic Plan. The specific terms and explanation of importance will be part of each Strategic Plan and direct future Boards throughout the Strategic Plan cycle.
Purpose
The At-Large Members work closely with the full complement of the Board, assisting in the planning and action of the Association. The At-Large Member priorities are selected by the Board at the time of the passing of the Strategic Plan, or following, in areas of priority within that plan, and for the purpose of bringing specific voices to the table which may otherwise not be present through the Council representation.
Mandate of At-Large Member(s) and Term of Activities
- Complete the duties of Director as outlined in by-law and GO6 OLA Board Member-Director.
- Bring a voice specific to the purpose of the position in order to ensure these priority messages are heard by the Board during discussion and deliberation.
- As in the Director description, it is the responsibility of all Directors to vote and make final decisions which will ultimately be in the best interest of the Association as a whole.
Board Priority Positions
- Based on the Strategic Plan the Board identified:
- An Indigenous voice to speak to decolonizing the association and working within Truth and Reconciliation (2023)
- A member to speak to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion perspectives (2023).
- A member to bring an Advocacy perspective to the board (2025)
- These Priorities are to have include a voice in OLA Board leadership, debates, and decision-making pertaining to Strategic Priorities.
- In lieu of a Strategic Priority identified by the Board in 2023, an At Large Member may be open to all OLA members in good standing for a two-year period prior to nomination.
Responsibilities
For responsibilities of Board Members see GO6 Board Member- Directors.
For responsibilities of At Large positions see Appendix A Job Description
Election
These members have a three-year (3) term which is staggered. In the first year of any Strategic Plan the Board may phase out current priorities and replace with new priorities in the next election. The Board may also designate the term of each positions of 1, 2 or 3 years in the first election of a Strategic Plan in order to continue the staggering of positions. In every following year the position will be a three-year term. In the event of a vacancy, the position will be filled by election for the balance of the term, unless the position is less than four months remaining in the term, in which case it will be elected for the balance of the term, plus the three years.
Appendix A
Member At Large - Role Description
Purpose
Taken from GO6.5 At Large Purpose] The At-Large Members work closely with the full complement of the Board, assisting in the planning and action of the Association. The At-Large Member priorities are selected by the Board at the time of the passing of the Strategic Plan in areas of priority within that plan, and for the purpose of bringing specific voices to the table which may otherwise not be present through the Council representation. Additionally, as a three-year term, the At Large members offer a continuity of board membership.
The three At Large Positions for the Strategic Plan 2025-2028 are to bring voice to the following topics:
- Indigenous / Truth & Reconciliation
- Inclusion, Diversity,Equity & Access (IDEA)
- Advocacy
The three-year terms will be staggered and sit at the will of the Board. With new Strategic Plans and priorities, these topics may be changed.
Indigenous / Truth & Reconciliation At Large Mandate
The elected member will complete the Member At Large position [G3.7 OLA At-Large Positions] with a focus on Truth & Reconciliation and providing Indigenous voice within the Board. For the purpose of this position, this member will ensure the Board is considering impacts on Truth & Reconciliation, decolonization, First Nation Public Libraries and Indigenous librarians in decisions and policy. While it is understood that no individual can speak for all Indigenous perspectives, nor should they be asked to, this member will have the important function of keeping these matters, and impacts thereof, at the forefront of Board discussions. This member will not be a spokesperson of OLA but will be required to provide their voice in board matters and deliberation.
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, & Access (IDEA) At Large Mandate
The elected member will complete the Member At Large position [G3.7 OLA At-Large Positions] with a focus on IDEA. For the purpose of this position, IDEA includes general concepts of inclusion, diversity, equity, and access, as well as ensuring the Board is aware of BIPOC experiences and impacts of Board decisions. While it is understood that no individual would have strong experiences in all areas of IDEA or BIPOC librarianship, this member will have the important function of keeping these matters, and impacts thereof, at the forefront of Board discussions. This member will not be a spokesperson of OLA but will be required to provide their voice in board matters and deliberation. This position will have a seat on the Cultural Diversity & Inclusion (CDI) Committee.
Advocacy At Large Mandate
The elected member will complete the Member At Large position [G3.7 OLA At-Large Positions] with a focus on advocacy. For the purpose of this position, advocacy refers to the ability to speak for the profession and industry, at a high level. While it is understood that no individual would have strong experiences in all sectors, this member should be able to speak in specifics as well as in broad terms of the various sectors’ needs. This member will not be a spokesperson of OLA but will be required to provide their voice in board matters and deliberation.
Reference
Revised: April 2026
Date for Review: 2028; Every 3 Years