No! NPAO encourages all members to be involved. If you are interested in more hands-on volunteer engagement, there are opportunities for:

• Community of Practice Leadership (Chair/Co-chairs)
• Conference planning committee members 
• Working Groups
• NPAO Ambassadors

Member-led advocacy and engagement also includes: 

• Engagement with your local MPP for advocacy
• Participation in a community of practice 
• Actively bringing issues to the attention of the CEO or President
• Attending conference and AGM, town halls, educational webinars
• Contribute actively to NPAO’s discussion forums and virtual platform
• Promotion of NPAO activities on social media (LinkedIn, Instagram, X, Facebook)

NPAO seeks to have diverse representation across practice and geographical areas. The board also seeks to recruit members with necessary skills, experience and attributes. The board uses a competency and attributes matrix to ensure the mix of skills required is being met across the board. Candidates will be asked to complete this as part of their application package. Board members also complete this annually and identified gaps are used to assist in selecting new members. Experience in formal governance roles is considered an asset. 

Should there be a need for specific geographical or practice area experience or expertise, this will be highlighted in the call for applications. 

The role of the board is to represent and act in the best interest of NPAO. It is important to note that individual board members do not represent the interests of any single constituency, specialty or practice group but the interests of the organization as a whole. 

Conflict of interest may arise from having a fiduciary duty to two separate organizations with overlapping or competing interests. This would include being a member of the executive/board/council of other NP or nursing professional organizations. If you are unsure if your current involvement with another organization would preclude your serving on the NPAO board please contact the nominations committee chair. 

Board members can expect to spend several hours each week engaged in board activities. This may include attending meetings, review of documents for committees, or additional skill development. Most board members serving non-profits spend an average of 250 hours per year engaged in board activities. 

Information regarding term duration can be found in NPAO’s bylaws. 

Board meetings are held a minimum of once a quarter. Board members typically serve on one or two committees of the board which also meet quarterly. This generally works out to one to two meetings per month.  

Most meetings are typically scheduled for Monday evenings, beginning at 1900. Meetings are held on a virtual telemeeting platform such as Zoom or Google Meets. 

Board members are expected to attend the AGM in person, Queen’s Park advocacy day at the invitation of the CEO and a yearly in-person strategic planning retreat. 

1. Submissions are submitted via Asana Forms – you will receive a copy of your submission and an automated email confirmation. If you don’t, please email admin@npao.org to confirm your submission was received. 
2. Once the submission deadline is closed, the nominations committee will review all complete applications and contact candidates to set up an interview – not all candidates may be selected for an interview. Interviews may take place over a few weeks.
3. After all interviews are completed, the nominations committee will meet to discuss and recommend candidates for appointment to open positions. 
4. Please include two reference letters with your application 
5. Successful candidates will be contacted at this point to confirm their agreement to their name being put forward on the slate of officers. 
6. The nominations committee will make a recommendation at the next scheduled board meeting regarding a proposed slate of officers to be presented at the AGM and voted on by all NPAO members. 
7. All applicants will be informed of their status after the proposed slate of officers is confirmed by the board by early September. 
8. Candidates who are not selected will be notified via email. 

Unsuccessful candidates are welcome to request feedback on their applications, encouraged to remain involved with NPAO (see list above) and to apply again in the future. Applicants may also be contacted and invited to participate in activities based on their skills and experience should they match with the current needs of NPAO.