By Vanessa Gillard, TGCA programming and community engagement coordinator
March is Community Association Awareness Month in Calgary, and with this observance of the city’s CAs in mind, I though it would be a great time to have a look at an incredibly important yet often less visible facet of CAs, the Board of Directors.
In my role at the TGCA, I often get a front-row seat to how much happens behind the scenes to keep the neighbourhood connected. At the centre of it all is our board, a group of dedicated volunteers who guide the direction of the organization and are imbued with the authority to turn ideas into reality.
The board, the bylaws, the balance
CA boards are made up of residents who have stepped forward to take on leadership roles in their communities. Positions like President, Treasurer, and Secretary each carry specific responsibilities, and they support each other where needed. Like all community associations, we operate under our bylaws and the Alberta Societies Act, which means accountability and transparency are not just ideals, they’re requirements. Ultimately, the board answers to the membership, and that responsibility shapes their decisions.
From where I sit as an employee and community member, one of the most important roles of the board is providing direction and balancing priorities. They approve budgets, set priorities, and make sure we are using our resources wisely. Financial oversight is a big part of that work, especially when it comes to grants and funding. Board members also carry a fiduciary duty, meaning they are always acting in the best interests of the organization and the broader community. The board supports program decision making, oversees facilities, and often act as a bridge between our residents and the City of Calgary.
Community leadership in action
For many on the board this looks like a mix of monthly meetings, committee work, and a steady flow of emails, decisions, and problem-solving, as well as attending the election at our annual general meeting, which takes place in October each year. I often work closely with them to share updates, promote events, and highlight the impact of what they do. What might look like a simple community event on social media usually has many layers of planning and a particular board member behind it.
To give you an idea, our President, Alison Abbott, takes the lead on our Saturday Night Social concert fundraisers as well as the recent urban study project with North Haven Community Association (NHCA) and U of C’s School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, and heads up a lot of our civic-focused initiatives. Others make themselves available to speak with local residents with infrastructure and planning concerns, like Director-at-Large Pat Saunders. Board members also meet with city officials and other non-profits to support infrastructure upgrades, like the recent facelift at Egerts Park playground, which was a joint effort between board members of the TGCA and NHCA. Each member pitches in to support or lead events and initiatives in the community.
What stands out most to me is that this work is done by volunteers. People with busy lives still choose to invest their time into strengthening their community, and the TGCA is fortunate to have multiple board members who have been on our board for many decades. The Board of Directors isn’t just a governance structure, it’s a group of neighbours committed to making their corner of Calgary more connected, welcoming, and resilient.
If you’d like to learn more about participating on the TGCA board, please contact our general manager, Kevin kkromm@tgcacalgary.com.