The OAWA members adopted a new Governance Model/By-Laws at the 2020 OAWA AGM on September 26, 2020. Under the new By-Laws, the OAWA will be working to increase member-input into the management and direction of the OAWA through various Councils and Committees. Some of this has already begun, with calls for applicants for the Diversity and Inclusion Committee and the Athletes’ Council. The Council in particular is very important as the Chair of that Committee will sit as a member of the OAWA Board of Directors.
To guide the Committee development process and keep the members up to date, the OAWA Board of Directors set up the following ‘Committee Framework’ to outline the various OAWA Committees, both active, and in development and committees which were recently in place whose mandate has expired. The Framework includes:
- Name of the Committee
- A brief overview of the Committee’s Mandate – in most cases, OAWA encourages newly formed committees to contribute to the development of their full mandate.
- Type of Committee – is it a standing (ongoing) committee, or a specialized (ad hoc) committee formed for a specific and short term purpose.
- Status of the Committee – is the committee currently in place, in the process of being formed, or has concluded its mandate.
- Terms of Reference – guidelines for the committee, what is the status of this – in development or complete/approved by the Board of Directors
- Executive Sponsor – OAWA sets a member of the Board of Directors to sit on the Committee to provide organizational guidance.
- Members of the Committee – who are the sitting members of the committee if it is operating.
Members are encouraged to watch the OAWA web site and social media for calls for applicants for committees as they are announced and consider applying for committees they may have an interest in and skill set for. Typically, the OAWA asks applicants to provide a resume and/or a cover letter outlining their interest and what skills/background they might bring to the committee.
OAWA Committee FrameworkApplicants for committees do not need to be current members of the OAWA, though they are required to become a member if selected for a committee. This is for the protection of the committee members (ensure they are covered by insurance for example), and protection of the OAWA (for example, as a member, the committee member is subject to the various OAWA Safe Sport and other Policies).
If you have any questions about OAWA’s Committee structure and operation, please contact Tim MaGarrey at admin@oawa.ca for details.
Thank you.
