Originally posted on the University of Waterloo’s GRADVenture blog on March 7, 2018.
A great way to get leadership experience as a grad student is to join a board of directors. In this post, I’ll share my experience as a director with the University of Waterloo’s Graduate Student Association (GSA).
How do you join a Board of Directors?
The GSA elects directors each Spring at our Annual General Meeting (AGM). To campaign, I gathered the required amount of signatures from fellow grads, then gave a speech at the AGM. It was a great opportunity to communicate why I chose to run, then to get elected by my peers. I had some prior on-campus experience as a director with the Graduate Studies Endowment Fund (GSEF) and another non-profit organization. Working with GSEF was helpful to get some experience to campaign for my GSA directorship.
What’s it like to start?
Joining a board for the first time is a steep learning curve; deciphering Robert’s Rules and understanding the unique culture of an organization can be overwhelming. Luckily, some organizations offer training opportunities. One reason I joined the GSA is that it offers extensive training to new directors. There is a big emphasis on capacity building for risk management, maintaining our health and dental plan, building safe and inclusive spaces, and many other topics. At the end of our training, I felt informed and ready to make governance decisions.
What exactly do directors do?
It really depends on the board. One thing you can definitely expect are meetings. Lots of meetings. The GSA’s board is oriented toward oversight, so we oversee, rather than carry out day-to-day operations of the organization. We write policy, monitor finances, and envision how to stay accountable to our diverse membership. The GSA is an incorporated entity, so directors have a fiduciary responsibility. In other words, we are legally obligated to act in an ethical manner that serves the GSA. Taking on a fiduciary responsibility for a multi-million dollar organization has been a rewarding professional development experience that I wasn't expecting in graduate school.
The best part: the people!
My favourite part of working with the GSA is, easily, the people. I started my directorship with a bunch of colleagues from a range of academic disciplines, political stripes and personal backgrounds. It’s rare that we immediately agree on policy and governance issues, but through respectful debate and long nights in the Commissory building (the current location of our offices), we’ve come to consensus on a lot of important issues. Directors also work closely with GSA Councillors from every department on campus, as well as GSA staff. Graduate studies can be lonely; working with the GSA really gave me a sense of belonging in the UW community.
Should you join a board?
Don’t join a board simply because it’ll look good on your resume. Your job is to support and provide guidance to an organization. Writing policy and long meetings are a breeze when you believe in the cause. Knowing that I’m representing my peers and colleagues inspires me to work hard to support our graduate student body. If you’ve ever thought about joining a board of directors, becoming a GSA director a great way to build leadership skills for a meaningful cause.