In 2018, IAF’s membership ratified a series of changes to IAF’s Constitution and Bylaws, in keeping with the new BC Societies Act, which requires all societies to amend their constitutions and bylaws by the end of 2018.

Our Board of Directors represent the broad agriculture and agri-food industry and are appointed by the nine industry associations that comprise our Membership. Our Members are also responsible for the appointment of auditors and the approval of our Annual Reports and Financial Statements every year at our AGM.

The Board is governed by a constitution and set of bylaws updated during our 2018 Special General Meeting, in keeping with the new BC Societies Act. This document outlines the general operational policies of IAF, clarifies director duties and responsibilities, addresses director liability and conflict of interest guidelines, and offers mechanisms for member complaints.

Under its bylaws, the Board’s role is to ensure effective governance by providing strategic direction, developing policy, and hiring and supporting senior management. Directors are also responsible for envisioning the future of IAF and ensuring that it is progressing towards its goals, while staying within legal limits and using resources efficiently.

In carrying out their responsibilities, directors owe fiduciary duties to IAF, which can be broken down into two categories:

• The duty of loyalty – this duty requires that a director act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of IAF
• The duty of care – this duty requires that a director act with a level of skill and competence that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances

Currently IAF is responsible for delivering close to 20 funding programs. Our Board of Directors convenes regularly to review applications for project funding, which must be guided by the funding parameters and eligibility criteria specific to the programs entrusted to us by the Province of BC.

Certain programs address broader issues or strategies and reflect priorities set by government. While it is the Board’s responsibility to deliberate on applications within these guidelines, it also has the latitude to determine merit based on industry priorities. Examples of such programs include the Canada-BC Agri-Innovation Program and the Agri-Food Futures Fund.

The Board also adjudicates funding applications through programs that are much narrower in scope and designed to meet highly specific issues or strategies, such as the Livestock Waste Tissue Initiative and the Poultry Biosecurity Program. In these cases, directors must review applications and allocate funding according to clearly (and externally) defined eligibility criteria.

In situations where there are gaps in funding or issues that cannot be resolved with existing industry resources, IAF may develop specialized programs to address specific priorities which fall within our mandate and funding principles, such as the Agricultural Area Planning Program. Board-led initiatives allow more flexibility in offering funding tailored to current industry needs.

During adjudication meetings, the Board has the authority to:

• Approve all, or parts of, a project
• Reduce or increase the requested funding
• Set conditions for approval
• Defer an application until more information is available
• Decline an application, with reason (reconsiderations are granted to applicants)

Our directors are farmers and food processors from a variety of sectors who bring valuable expertise to the table. Rest assured your application will be considered by a knowledgeable panel of industry peers!