Election

Notice of BCCSW Board Election 2026

The BC College of Social Workers holds elections for new Board members in the fall of each year. In accordance with College Bylaws, this Notice of Election is being distributed to all registrants 90 days prior to the election date in order that all eligible voters and potential candidates be informed of the election process and relevant timelines. Full details about the election are available on the College’s website and in the College Bylaws.

Important Dates

Nomination

The nomination period is currently open for acceptance of nominations from eligible registrants for 4 (four) vacant positions on the College’s Board as follows:

*The term of office is subject to the limitations under Bylaw 4(2)(d) and Bylaw 8(2).

The eligibility criteria for nominees to the election process are established in Bylaw 4.

The College strongly encourages self-identified Indigenous registrants, Black registrants, People of Color registrants, and registrants from equity seeking groups, to be considered for nomination. Nominees for the Indigenous registrant specific board position must identify that they are putting their nomination forward for that specific board position and will have the opportunity to meet with the Indigenous Council as part of the nomination process.

The College Board of Directors have identified the following needed competencies for the upcoming Board.

• Accounting expertise
• Information Technology and Cyber Security expertise
• Legal expertise including the areas of administrative law and privacy laws
• Communications, including the areas of government relations and public relations.
• Public Sector knowledge including all areas of broader public sector administration and government.
• Enterprise risk management, including the application of risk management across the College at all levels including the reduction of uncertainty by the identification, prioritization and mitigation of risk.
• Human resources, including the areas of compensation, benefits and labor relations.
• Awareness of social work practice and knowledge of current and emerging issues affecting the profession.
• Leadership skills with a demonstrated ability to lead a group in effectively and efficiently carrying out Board direction
• Indigenous relations behavioral competencies which may include:

• Understanding one’s thoughts, feelings, values and background through self- discovery and awareness including how one’s thoughts, feelings, values and background impact the success of their interactions and relationships with Indigenous peoples.
• Increasing one’s ability to build and maintain respectful and effective relationships with Indigenous peoples through sustained learning and development including direct exposure to cultural and community ways and being willing to learn how diverse ways of thinking and acting can ensure the success of the College.
• The ability to work respectfully, knowledgeably, and effectively with Indigenous peoples through cultural agility including creating a sense of safety and by transforming feelings of nervousness or anxiety into curiosity and appreciation.
• Awareness and recognition of the impact of colonization, anti-Indigenous and systemic racism on Indigenous communities
• Championing the achievement of intended, real change that meets the enduring vision of Indigenous self-determination in British Columbia through change leadership including learning from elders and leaders, routinely energizing the change process, and removing barriers to change.

Only registrants in the Full or Clinical Classes of registration with the College may nominate or be nominated; registrants may nominate up to two other registrants. Nominees must be nominated and must consent to the nomination. All nominees must declare that they will abide by the Act and election procedures to be eligible. 2025-Nomination Form and 2025- Nomination Consent Form must be sent to registrar@bccsw.caand received by email by September 14, 2025.

Elections

Balloting will begin on October 14, 2025 and end on November 15, 2025. 

The 2 nominees with the most votes will each be elected to the general registrant positions for the 3-year terms beginning January 2026 and the nominee with the next highest number of votes will be elected to the position with the 1-year term. The Indigenous registrant nominee with the highest number of votes will be elected to the Indigenous registrant specific position for a 3-year term beginning January 2026.

The elected candidates must swear the Oath of Office no more than 45 days after the election date.

For registrants with email accounts, voting will take place over a secure website. Paper ballots will be mailed to registrants who do not have email addresses listed with the College.

Please ensure that you provide the College with an up-to-date email account.

BC Crown Agencies and Board Resource Office (CABRO) Training Resources

It is recommended that registrants interested in serving as board members familiarize themselves with information provided by CABRO that outlines the roles and responsibilities of board members. CABRO’s Website is CABRO. Elected registrants would also need to complete governance training as prescribed by the Board.

CABRO board member training documents:

Governing in the Public Interest

Financial Governance

Risk Management

Human Resources