Vancouver is BURLESQUE

The Vancouver International Burlesque Festival Association (VIBFA) is a volunteer-run non-profit organization that produces the annual Vancouver International Burlesque Festival and is devoted to promoting the public profile of burlesque in Vancouver and providing resources for the advocacy of the Vancouver burlesque community.

 

Up to three Board positions are available for the 2022-23 year, each with two-year terms, with a membership election taking place at the Annual General Meeting on June 23. We welcome applications from members of the burlesque community, as well as from community allies. 

 

Board membership is a serious commitment but highly rewarding, and makes a huge difference for our community.

 

Please read the FAQs below for more information, or contact us at info@vibf.ca with any questions. To apply, please complete the form below. Applications are due June 10th, 2021.

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

Q: What is the VIBFA and what do you do?

A: The Vancouver International Burlesque Festival Association is a registered BC non-profit society. Our mission is:

1. To create and administer an annual Vancouver International Burlesque Festival, encouraging the cooperation of Vancouver burlesque companies, producers, and performers, and fostering communication amongst these groups.

2. To provide resources for the advocacy of Vancouver burlesque performers, venues, and companies.

3. To promote the public profile of burlesque in Vancouver.

​

Q: How do I apply?

A: Think about whether this form of volunteer service makes sense for you and your ability to commit to a two year term - feel free to reach out to current and past board members to answer any questions - info@vibf.ca

 

• Fill out the google application form - due by June 10th.

• VIBFA members will receive an email board voting package by June 4

• Attend the AGM on June 19 via zoom, when the membership will vote on new board members

​

Q: Do I have to apply? In previous years, people were nominated at the AGM.

A: Yes, you must apply by the deadline to join the board.

​

In previous years, members could show up at the AGM, nominate themselves, and the membership would vote person by person to pick the next board. 

​

We are switching to a slate format this year. This is where the current board sorts through applications and choses the slate of board members to present at the AGM, where membership votes yes or no to approve all incoming board members. This is common for most non-profit organizations.

​

This allows the board to seek out people who fill experience gaps on the board and curate a well-rounded board who can carry the festival forward. It is not a popularity contest, and the focus is on finding individuals with the skillsets to help VIBF thrive. 

​

Q: I applied. Now what?

A: Thank you for applying to join our board! A member of the current board will follow up with you to answer any questions you have, get to know you a bit more, and figure out if your skillset is a good fit for our board.

​

Depending on the number of applicants, the current board will decide on a slate of potential board members to submit to the membership for approval at our AGM. 

​

At the AGM,  VIBFA members will vote to approve the slate of potential board members, and once approved, new board members will step into their roles immediately and begin training with the outgoing board. 

 

Q: How is the VIBFA financed?

A: Operations are primarily financed by ticket sales. Historically, ticket revenue leaves us positioned to incur the next year’s festival expenses, but as with most arts organizations, the COVID-19 pandemic caused the cancellation and scaling back of our past two festivals. We expect that the 2022 Festival year will require creative fundraising efforts including grant writing, event planning, and sponsorship programs.

 

Q: What is the Board’s role?

A: The VIBFA has a working board (rather than a governance board) - meaning that board members are not only responsible for the oversight of the organization’s strategy, finances, legal responsibilities, policies, and governance, but also have operating roles to ensure the VIBFA’s activities are accomplished. At the start of the term, the Board elects members to the roles of President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. The rest of the board are At-Large members.

 

All board members share responsibility for overseeing and actively participating in the other operational departments - producing showcases, knowledge sharing programs, and the Buffies, marketing, sponsorship, fundraising, performer relations, volunteers, budgeting and financial management, technology, photography and videography, ticketing…. Everything that goes into executing a multi-event festival and promoting burlesque in our community.

 

Q: That sounds like a lot of work! Do you have any help?

A: The 9-member Board is supported by some paid staff, including the Artistic Director, Production Manager, Festival Administrator, and seasonal roles such as Education Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator, Sponsorship Coordinator, Performer Liaison, box office, and production staff, among others. We also have the best volunteers in the world, who take part in backstage hospitality, transporting performers, selling raffle tickets, setting up events, you name it! The Board also has the option of creating committees including outside volunteers to tackle specific projects.

 

Q: What does a year in the life of VIBFA look like?

A: In a “regular” year, the primary festival takes place in the first week of April, kicking off with the Buffies Awards, workshops, TIT Talks, and culminating in two Showcase nights at the Vancouver Playhouse. In 2021 we pivoted to digital, and offered these events throughout the month of April. In 2022 we expect to be back at the Playhouse, but the “new normal” may call for new ways of delivering programming.

 

Our Fiscal Year runs June 1 through May 31, with new board members assuming their roles in June following the AGM election. 

 

Summer - board orientation, roles and responsibilities selected, annual budget drafted, annual society filings due, banking authorization changeover, festival planning and other projects begin.

 

Fall - fundraising and grants, sponsorship, applications and adjudication, quarterly budget review.

 

Winter - marketing, ticket sales, production planning, seasonal staff most active, budget reforecast, annual theatre rental grant due.

 

Spring - execution of events, gaming and liquor licensing, end of year wrap up, financial reports, tax remittance, AGM.

 

Q: What kind of time commitment would I expect as a Board member?

A: Board meetings take place every two to three weeks in the summer and fall, with weekly meetings as the festival approaches in the winter and spring. Other work takes place between meetings - it is a busy schedule but rewarding! Board members are encouraged to exercise their existing skills and to take on projects that will teach them something they want to learn.

 

While in-person meetings were the norm pre-COVID (with snacks!), we have embraced zoom as a convenient way to meet as a group, and we expect to decide as a team how to meet going forward to accommodate busy schedules.

 

Q: Can I still apply to perform in the Festival if I am on the Board?

A: Board members must disclose any potential conflicts of interest, and there are policies ensuring compliance with BC Societies laws, which limit the number of board members who can receive remuneration from the VIBFA, including for performing in the festival. Should more Board members wish to apply to perform than allowed by the applicable law, there are policies to guide the Board in deciding which members can apply first. Board members are expected to adhere to the organization’s Code of Conduct.

 

Q: I’m not sure I have the right skills. What are you looking for?

A: Members of the burlesque community and others who support burlesque, with a variety of backgrounds and skill sets, and who represent the broad range of identities in the burlesque community are encouraged to apply. Previous board experience or experience as a performer is not required. This is a great opportunity to serve the community and practice skills you already have or develop new ones, network with international burlesque artists and producers, and develop close working relationships with colleagues.

 

Specific skill sets that are always welcome:

• Producing and event planning

• Marketing/PR

• Technology

• Human resources

• Finance and accounting

• Legal

• Fundraising and grant writing

• Organizational skills

 

​