Choirs Ontario

Day: October 14, 2022

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Choirs Ontario: Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility – Working Group

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by choirsontario

 

Choirs Ontario is the provincial arts organization for the choral arts sector and community in Ontario. Choirs Ontario’s mission is to foster vibrant, inclusive and accessible choral communities by providing programs, services and resources; creating opportunities; and engaging Ontario’s diverse population in the transformative power of choral music. 

The Choirs Ontario Board of Directors invites you to join our Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) subcommittee and working board. As inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility become increasingly prevalent, Choirs Ontario will begin the important discussions surrounding our current practices, operations and projects. In these evolving times, it is crucial that we share ideas and perspectives in our commitment to cultivating a more inclusive, equitable, and diverse organization and choral community in Ontario. 

Our hope is to bring together members of Choirs Ontario with the intent of collaborating as a working board / IDEA subcommittee. With multiple groups and individuals working in partnership, this board will be able to devise and recommend equitable approaches and resources to the Choirs Ontario Board of Directors and community, to both challenge traditional practices at the provincial level. 

 

Involvement and commitment to the IDEA subcommittee will have several goals and benefits, which include:

  • Regular monthly meetings over the course of a minimum of 6 months (tentative), each 1.5 – 2 hours. 
  • Address IDEA issues and collaborate on constructive discussions regarding current practices, for the purpose of collective action. 
  • The support of the Choirs Ontario Board of Directors and Staff, membership, resources, and the greater choral music community in Ontario. 
  • Pooling of resources where appropriate. 
  • Providing a report to the Choirs Ontario Board of Directors, with the focu of addressing current practices and providing suggestions and areas for improvement and action regarding IDEA initiatives. 
  • Other important tasks and responsibilities

 

Meetings will begin in the new year with the first introductory meeting anticipated during the week of January 9-13, 2023 (tentative). A final date for the introductory meeting will be solidified between interested individuals where a meeting schedule will be established. 

 

If you are interested in joining our IDEA subcommittee, have any questions or require assistance, please contact Emma Margutsch, General Manager at [email protected] or (416) 923-1144. You are also welcome to reach out to any current director on the Choirs Ontario Board of Directors to discuss interest and/or questions. 

 

Our office is located in Tkaronto in the Dish With One Spoon Territory and covered by Treaty 13 and the Williams Treaties. We are grateful to work, live, and make music on the traditional territory of the nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat Peoples. 

Choirs Ontario Board of Directors

Choirs Ontario By-law Review Subcommittee

Posted on
by choirsontario

 

Choirs Ontario is the provincial arts organization for the choral arts sector and community in Ontario. Choirs Ontario’s mission is to foster vibrant, inclusive and accessible choral communities by providing programs, services and resources; creating opportunities; and engaging Ontario’s diverse population in the transformative power of choral music. 

On October 19, 2021 the Ontario Ministry announced that the Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, 2010 (ONCA). This legislation, over 10 years in the making, is the enabling corporate legal framework for most not-for-profit organizations incorporated under Ontario provincial law. Not-for-profits have only three years after the proclamation to transition to the new rules. Choirs Ontario, as a Not-for-profit incorporated in the province of Ontario, will need to review and transitions to ONCA prior to the expiry of the three year transitional period – that is, by October 19, 2024. 

 

Choirs Ontario By-Law Subcommittee

The Choirs Ontario Board of Directors is seeking individuals from our membership to join our working board / by-law subcommittee. As we begin the important and required transition to operations under ONCA, along with continued review of our practices, programming and initiatives, a review of our bylaws and governance is required. Together with members of our Board of Directors, we invite those interested in supporting our diverse choral community and those who are committed to supporting our organization as we continue to grow, reflect, and build our practices and governance. 

 

Choirs Ontario is committed to collaboration and listening to the needs and interests of all Board and Subcommittee members as we aim to create a welcoming environment of inclusion, support and friendship. 

 

Language
The working language of Choirs Ontario Board of Directors is English. We welcome and encourage expanded perspectives and therefore welcome French-speaking and indigenous languages from communities across Canada.

 

Term & Time Commitment

  • Regular monthly meetings over the course of a minimum of 1 year (tentative), each 1.5-2 hours in length. 
  • Time preparing for meetings, strategic planning work, and research into current practices of other arts organizations and their practices.
  • Submitting and presenting a cohesive review and update of the Bylaws to the Choirs Ontario Board of Directors. 

 

Duties & Responsibilities

  • Prepare for, attend, and participate in meetings (conducted via Zoom)
  • Ensure you have an individual membership in good standing with Choirs Ontario
  • Play an engaged and active role in the operations of the bylaw subcommittee.  
  • Act in the best interest of Choirs Ontario. 

 

How to send in your “Expression of Interest”

If you are interested in joining our Bylaw Subcommittee, please email your “Expression of Interest” to [email protected], and address your expression to Andrew Walker (he/him/il), President of Choirs Ontario. All expressions of interest should be submitted by December 1, 2022. 

Prior to submitting we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the organization through our website www.choirsontario.org. From this, you will be able to learn about our history, goals, and mission. Information about our programs and services as well as membership is also available on our website. 

In accordance with Accessibility laws in Canada, if you require support applying online, please contact Emma Margutsch (she/her), General Manager at (416) 923-1144 or [email protected]. 

If you are interested in joining our Bylaw Subcommittee, have any questions or require assistance, please contact Emma Margutsch, General Manager at [email protected] or (416) 923-1144. You are also welcome to reach out to any current director on the Choirs Ontario Board of Directors to discuss interest and/or questions.