OPPORTUNITIES

2024 BOARD ELECTIONS

UPDATE: Nominations remain open for the Treasurer position. Elections for the general board member vacancy begin on Tuesday 23 April.

We’re pleased to announce the 2024 call for nominations to be elected to the National Digital Forum (NDF) Board. NDF is looking to fill two vacant board positions: Treasurer, and one general board member. These are volunteer positions.

This is an opportunity to serve during a defining time as we seek to broaden our activities to provide more opportunity and support for our members and community. 

Nominations for the general board member position closed on Sunday 21 April, 11:59pm. Nominations for Treasurer remain open.

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

NDF welcomes applications from all suitably qualified people regardless of their ethnicity, gender, disability, religion, sexual orientation or age. We invite and encourage applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds and occupations, and implore people from typically under-represented groups to apply. 

In addition, to ensure that a diverse range of institutions are represented on the board across the GLAM and cultural heritage sector, candidates are encouraged to review the current board members’ list and see how they can add new perspectives and interests to the board.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

This year, we have one specific board role to fill: Treasurer. The treasurer will ensure good fiscal management and planning, decision-making within budgets, oversight of finances at a governance level, as well as general involvement in Board decisions. As the Treasurer role is crucial to our structure, elections for this role will be held separately. 

For the other board vacancy, we are particularly interested in candidates who may represent Te Waipounamu South Island and/or Māori and Pasifika led cultural organisations.

We would also like to encourage those who have expertise in the following areas:

  • Event Management

  • Finance

  • Te ao Māori 

  • Visual Arts 

  • Human Resources

  • Public Programming

  • Visitor Experience

However, we encourage all members of the community with an interest in serving NDF to put their hand up!

WHY SERVE ON THE NDF BOARD?

The National Digital Forum is a network of people working together to enhance digital interaction with culture and heritage in New Zealand. We hold an annual conference, arrange local events, and support professional development.

For past, present and future Board Members, this is an opportunity to guide NDF in supporting the digital transformation and capability of the Aotearoa GLAM sector. Joining the NDF board offers invaluable professional development and an opportunity to work with a team of committed and talented GLAM professionals.  

WHAT’S EXPECTED OF NDF BOARD MEMBERS?

The NDF Board directs and supervises the strategy and operations of the National Digital Forum. They meet every month, alternating between a Board and Operational Meeting. 

Board Members hold a three-year term (with a maximum of two consecutive terms). Institutional Members nominate individuals for election, and Individual Members then vote on the nominees. The Rules of NDF Incorporated also allow for NDFs founding institutions (Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, National Library of New Zealand, and Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kawanatanga) to each appoint a representative to the Board.

As part of a working board, NDF board members are expected to dedicate about 3 - 5 hours per week working on NDF business. This includes attending monthly conference calls with fellow board members, in addition to other committee meetings and follow-up tasks related to those committee functions. At busy periods of the year (around conference time), hours per week can increase. The Board Members do not currently receive remuneration. This is a volunteer position. 

Since 2020, most of NDFs core business have taken place online. This has enabled NDF to broaden our areas of focus, and, with little financial disturbance, allowed Board Members to be based anywhere locally or internationally. There is the expectation that Board Members will meet in-person for strategic planning once a year and where possible, all Board Members are expected to be in attendance for the annual conference. Travel costs, accommodation and hospitality is provided where travel is expected.

Once appointed, NDF Board Members serve a three-year term and may serve two terms consecutively. 

A successful Board will have members with a mix of skills and attributes, which include: 

  • a passion for the objectives of NDF, and an interest and enthusiasm for the range of activities NDF is involved in

  • the ability to provide collective leadership for NDF 

  • governance skills and experience or an understanding of governance skills 

  • the ability to help shape the strategic direction for NDF and monitor progress 

  • independent thought and the ability to debate and defend viewpoints 

  • objectivity and the ability to take a broader perspective  

  • the ability to work as part of a team and support the collective view of the Board 

  • a willingness to adopt particular portfolios according to interest, skills and experience 

  • project governance or project management experience 

Full descriptions of the roles and responsibilities can be found here:

WHAT’S THE NOMINATION AND ELECTION PROCESS? 

Nominations:

Elections:

  • Elections for the nominees will occur via an online survey from Tuesday 23 April to Friday 10 May.

  • For 2024, there will be two elections: one for a Treasurer, and one for a General Board Member.

  • Only Individual Members have voting rights, as per the National Digital Forum Incorporated rules.

  • Results will be announced on Wednesday 15 May.

  • Newly elected Board Members begin their term once they have formally accepted the appointment.

If you have any questions about the NDF Board nomination and election process please contact admin@ndf.org.nz.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Once the membership has voted on the Board Member nominations, the NDF board will formally welcome those elected onto the Board at which point we will also notify the community of the appointments.

WHAT IF I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?

If you have any additional questions, please contact admin@ndf.org.nz. You are also most welcome to reach out to a current NDF Board member.

We encourage all qualified candidates to apply or hope that you will refer someone you think would be a qualified candidate. 

Thank you for being interested and invested in NDF. 

VOLUNTEERS

NDF is looking for volunteers to assist with content development and for upcoming events. If you are interested in volunteering some time to NDF we would love to hear from you. Please drop us an email to admin@ndf.org.nz

FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES

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