Election of the Board of Directors at NWT Tourism - Information on Board role and responsibilities

Dear Members,

The online process to elect the four Board of Directors seats up for election this year will begin next week. Before the online process begins, we want to share some information about the Board of Directors and the role and responsibilities of the Board. We have many new members this year who may be unfamiliar with the role and composition of the Board, and for everyone else, you may find this to be a helpful refresher. 

About NWT Tourism
NWT Tourism is a Non Profit Society that was established in 1996 under the NWT Societies Act. NWT Tourism has dual responsibilities:

  • Industry Association representing close to 200 members who work directly or indirectly in the NWT's tourism industry
  • Destination Marketing Organization through contract and contribution agreements with GNWT (augmented through other funding partners such as CanNor)

Purpose of the Board of Directors
The purpose of the Board of Directors is to achieve the organization's mission and to ensure organizational accountability. The mission of NWT Tourism is: "To grow the tourism industry for the Northwest Territires in order to support a strong and sustainable economy". 

Makeup of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is a volunteer board, and will have a maximum number of sixteen and a minimum number of 10 directors comprised and selected as follows: 

  • 7 Elected from eligible members 
  • 7 Appointed Indigenous Members (each one is appointed by their respective Indigenous government)
  • 1 GNWT Ex Officio appointed by the GNWT
  • 1 Ex Officio appointed by Board
    This position can be the past Chair of the Board OR a Parks Canada representative. (For the past 3 years a Parks Canada representative has sat on the Board)

The term of the elected Directors is two (2) years with four (4) being elected in one year and three in the following year.

Role of the Board of Directors
The Board sets direction through policy and in the approval of strategies (5 year Marketing Plan Strategy). The direction for the Board of Directors comes from the following sources:

  1. NWT Tourism Vision and Mission
  2. Members
  3. Constitution and By-Laws
  4. Board Policies and Strategies
  5. Code of Conduct

Board Meetings
The Board of Directors meets four times per year, including at the Annual General Meeting. 

Board of Directors Election - 4 positions up for election in 2021
This year, four board positions will be elected. The Board member terms that are expiring this year are as follows:

  1. Wendy Grater
    Director Elected – term to November 2021
    Black Feather Adventure Company
  2. Dana Hibbard     
    Director Elected – term to November 2021
    Nahanni Wild
  3. Edie Yoder - Secretary
    Director Elected – term to November 2021
    Hearne Lake Lodge
  4. Bobby Drygeese
    Director Elected – term to November 2021
    ​B. Dene Adventures

Starting next week, we will have many more communications about our online election process. We hope that you find this information helpful. The Constitution and Bylaws, as well as Board Policies, can be made available to any member who would like more information.

Thank you,

Donna Lee Demarcke
CEO NWT Tourism
executive@spectacularnwt.com
867-873-5007 Ext: 1005