TACA BOARD DIRECTOR CALL OUT
The Australian Ceramics Association invites you to apply to join its Board of Directors.
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 10 APRIL, 5PM AEST
TACA has a longstanding commitment to championing artists working with ceramics, from functional pottery to experimental works. We are seeking passionate individuals from around the country in a volunteer capacity to shape our organisation. We currently have two vacancies. With more than 1,600 members and an online forum community of over 8,500, the board and staff support existing and new creative voices through our programs and professional development opportunities.
Each board director is crucial to the organisation, contributing to its direction, sustainability and success. Board engagement is an on-the-job opportunity for you to up-skill and develop leadership experience within the arts and culture sector. TACA is a national body, directors may be based anywhere in Australia.
TACA is committed to diversity and strongly encourages applications from First Nations peoples, people with disability, people based in regional and remote Australia, LGBTQIA+ people, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
"I have been on TACAs board now for two years. I bring diverse skills to the board, from ceramic art practice and community engagement processes to arts and not-for-profit business models and procedures, to funding and grants.
You get to share your experience and knowledge that impacts lovers of clay. I work with a brilliant group of people to enhance and grow opportunities for ceramicists. It is personally rewarding and has expanded my thought processes."
- Diamando Koutsellis, Board Director
"As a director on TACA's board, I can apply the knowledge I've gained during a diverse career to help promote a craft I'm passionate about. I've met new people and acquired new insights, and I feel privileged to be part of our collective response to supporting a creative community. The board is a unique collaborative effort and I enjoy the open and sometimes robust discussions about how we can do things better in the interests of our members and the wider community of potters and artists."
- Mike Hall, Board Director / Treasurer
Read the FAQ’s below to learn more about the role of the board and its members.
The constitution, strategic plan and annual report are linked for further information.
TACA’s President, Kate Jones (0402 418 303 / katejjones@gmail,com) and CEO, Debbie Pryor (0468 354 274 / [email protected]) are available if you would like the discuss this opportunity.
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 10 APRIL, 5pm AEST
BOARD DIRECTOR
FAQ’S
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE BOARD?
The role of all board directors is to:
- Assist with the strategic planning and development of the organisation
- Bring a high level of leadership, expertise and knowledge to the organisation;
- Ensure good governance and fiscal management;
- Participate in working groups, as the need arises; and
- Enhance national and regional networks with artists, arts organisations, businesses and communities.
WHAT ARE THE PARTICULAR SKILLS SETS THE BOARD IS RECRUITING?
Finance
- In order to ensure strong succession planning for the organisation we seek a Board Director who is experienced in, or willing to skill up in the role of treasurer.
- An understanding of profit and loss and reading budgets (or an interest in developing these skills)
- All Directors of the Board are responsible for reading and interpreting the budget, however Treasurer Mike Hall drives reporting from the Board in finance
- A finance working group consisting of Board President, Treasurer and Secretary (also CEO) Debbie Pryor meet when necessary.
Fundraising
- In an effort to greater engage funding through grants and private donations the Board seeks to fill a Board position to increase the organisations’ income and program capacity.
- Awareness of suitable grants for the organisation and experience in successful grant writing
- An understanding of the donor and philanthropy landscape with a view to growing TACA’s engagement
Marketing
- An understanding of TACA’s role within the industry and an interest in growing and/or strengthening connections
- Strategy for, and implementation of marketing campaigns, marketing on a budget, social media presence
- Experience in brand voice and community/member focussed initiatives
General
- As outlined in ‘What makes a good Board Director’ below, clear communication, availability, reliability, an interest in ceramics and an understanding of community based initiatives.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD BOARD DIRECTOR?
- Availability and reliability; the board meets regularly and a quorum of attendance is required, if members cannot commit we cannot hold the number of meetings legally required of us
- Good communication; as a national board we meet online via zoom and email
- Team work; it takes a village to run an arts organisation, we respect one another, engage in healthy debate and show up when needed
- TACA is committed to diversity and strongly encourages applications from First Nations peoples, people with disability, people based in regional and remote Australia, LGBTQIA+ people, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
- As a national body, this call out aims to attract a balanced representation of board directors from around the nation
DO I NEED TO BE A POTTER OR AN ARTIST TO SIT ON THE TACA BOARD?
- No, we have a minimum number of board directors required to be artists working with ceramics (three), however we seek the skillsets outlined above that may or may not be fulfilled by someone also working with ceramics
- However, an interest in the medium and an understanding of the community is highly desirable.
WHAT ARE THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE BOARD DIRECTOR?
- Board directors are expected to attend as many scheduled meetings as possible, or provide apologies in advance
- To come to meetings prepared, having read any documents provided the week previous
- Some board directors will sit on working groups, depending on their level of expertise, availability and/or interest
- Board director will register with ASIC, a legal requirement of the company, ensuring the board and company meet legal, financial and insurance requirements
- Board directors are expected to remain on the board for 2-3 years.
HOW OFTEN DOES THE BOARD MEET?
- TACA holds six board meetings per annum.
- The date for the board meeting is set at the end of each board meeting.
- The board meetings are mostly held either via Zoom or in Sydney. Board directors living outside of Sydney are allocated a small budget to cover travel and accommodation expenses.
- Board directors can also attend meetings via Zoom.
WILL THERE BE ADDITIONAL MEETINGS?
Strategic Planning:
- Held every 3 years, this is an opportunity for the board to work with the CEO and an external stategist to plot the next three years of ambition for the organisation. This plan is a map for staff and board to use as a guide, and to be presented to the members and community for organisational transparency.
- The next strategic planning session is likely to take place in August/September 2023
Annual General Meeting: - TACA's financial period is from 1 July – 30 June.
- The AGM is held in September or October and may be held in conjunction with a board meeting.
- It is expected all board directors attend the AGM and board meetings, either in person or via Zoom.
CAN I BE A TACA BOARD DIRECTOR AND PARTICIPATE IN TACA PROGRAMS?
Some TACA programs may have a conflict of interest
- Board Directors and staff are unable to apply for the TACA biennial member’s exhibition
- Board Directors and staff are unable to apply for member opportunities
- Board Directors and staff can be profiled in The Journal for Australian Ceramics, however they cannot be featured on the front cover of the magazine
- TACA Board Directors are not involved in any decision-making process for The Journal of Australian Ceramics content
- TACA Board Directors are not involved in any decision-making process for the Australian Ceramics Triennale (ACT) content, aside from the President and Secretary who sit on the ACT Board
HOW DO I APPLY?
- Both TACA Board President Kate Jones and TACA Board Secretary / TACA Chief Executive Director Debbie Pryor are available to discuss your application. If you are interested in a position you are welcome to have a discussion with Kate or Debbie before applying.
1) Speak with either Kate or Debbie for more information about the role and your interests
2) Apply via the online form providing the following application criteria:
- Bio/CV
- Area of interest (finance, marketing, fundraising, other)
- Dot points on why you are interested in a Board position
- Dot points on what skills you bring to the Board position
- Dot points on the ambition and opportunity of the organisation
3) All applications to be received by Monday 10 April, 5pm AEST
About The Australian Ceramics Association
TACA (The Australian Ceramics Association) has been providing community services and professional development opportunities to national artists working with ceramics since 1956. In this time we have fostered the community by presenting exhibitions in partnership with key institutions (such as Manly Art Gallery & Museum), presented in partnership the Australian Ceramics Triennale and more recently offered professional development initiatives such as Tools for Practice and the Writer’s Research Project.
The Journal of Australian Ceramics has been published for sixty years in print and, more recently, in digital media. Our readership of 30 000 per publication, which our members, advertisers, institutions nationally and internationally, and stockists receive three times a year. Our magazine is respected nationally and globally. The Australian Ceramics biennial members' exhibition catalogue will be printed in The Journal.
Our reach is wide, we have 70,000+ Instagram followers, 17,000 followers on our Facebook Page and 8,900 on our Facebook Forum. These platforms have allowed us to grow a broad community and to connect in ways that are bigger than the organisation itself.