With strong commitment and a wide range of perspectives, knowledge, skills, and experiences, our Committees and Board are enthusiastically moving forward with our long term vision for OSDIA success.  Please consider volunteering and supporting one of our Committees or joining our Board of Directors.

Supporting the Downtown Community

Established in 1973, the Owen Sound Downtown Improvement Area (OSDIA) supports a membership of more than 300 downtown businesses and property owners.

Financed by your levy dollars and governed by the Ontario Municipal Act, the OSDIA delivers on a mandate focused on improving, beautifying, maintaining, and promoting the downtown area.

Our Vision

The vision of the Owen Sound Downtown Improvement Area (OSDIA) is to make a valuable, beneficial, and ongoing contribution to the OSDIA membership by effectively supporting initiatives that help to improve, beautify and promote the OSDIA community.

Our Mission

The Owen Sound Downtown Improvement Area (OSDIA) is committed to providing effective leadership in the ongoing development
of the membership area as a vibrant and sustainable business, cultural, and residential community.    We will achieve this goal by supporting initiatives aimed at improving, beautifying, and promoting the membership area on behalf of all of its members.

Legislative Mandate

The Ontario Municipal Act establishes the mandate for all BIAs (DIAs) within the province as follows:
A local municipality may designate an area as an improvement area and may establish a board of management, (a) to oversee the improvement, beautification and maintenance of municipally-owned land, buildings and structures in the area beyond that provided at the expense of the municipality generally; and (b) to promote the area as a business or shopping area.

Application

The Board is staffed by volunteers who are appointed by Owen Sound City Council.  Applications are available online at www.owensound.ca/council/committeeapplications.php, or in person at the OSDIA Office.

Time Committment

• Four Year term (running on same schedule as municipal council)
• Monthly regular board meetings (2-3 hours)
• Committees (depending on programs can be 2-4 hours monthly)
• Management guidance & support (knowledge sharing & mentoring as  required)
• Special events

Board of Directors

Board Chair

• Serves as the chief volunteer
• Is a partner with the Chief Executive / Manager) in achieving the organization’s mission
• Provides leadership to the Board of Directors, who sets policy and to whom the Chief Executive / Manager is accountable
• Chairs meetings of the Board after developing the agenda with the Chief Executive / Manager
• Encourages Board’s role in strategic planning
• Appoints the chairpersons of committees, in consultation with other Board members
• Serves ex officio as a member of committees and attends their meetings when invited
• Discusses issues confronting the organization with the Chief Executive / Manager
• Helps guide and mediate Board actions with respect to organizational priorities and governance concerns
• Reviews with the Chief Executive / Manager any issues of concern to the Board
• Monitors financial planning and financial reports
• Formally evaluates the performance of the Chief Executive / Manager and informally evaluates the effectiveness of the Board members
• Evaluates annually the performance of the organization in achieving its mission
• Performs other responsibilities assigned by the Board

Vice Chair

• Performs Chair responsibilities when the Chair cannot be available
• Reports to the Board’s Chair
• Works closely with the Chair and other staff
• Participates closely with the Chair to develop and implement officer transition plans
• Performs other responsibilities as assigned by the Board

Committee Chair

• Sets tone for the committee work
• Ensures that members have the information needed to do their jobs
• Oversees the logistics of committee’s operations
• Reports to the Board’s Chair
• Reports to the full Board on committee’s decisions / recommendations
• Works closely with the Chief Executive / Manager and other staff as agreed to by the Chief Executive / Manager
• Assigns work to the committee members, sets the agenda and runs the meetings, and ensures distribution of meeting minutes
• Initiates and leads the committee’s annual evaluation

Board Treasurer

• Manages / Administrates fiscal matters of the organization
• Provides support to the Chief Executive / Manager and other staff in managing day to day financial activities
• Provides annual budget to the board for members’ approval
• Ensures development and board review of financial policies and procedures

Board Member

• Regularly attends board meetings and important related meetings
• Makes serious commitment to participate actively in committee work
• Volunteers for and willingly accepts assignments and completes them thoroughly and on time
• Stays informed about committee matters, prepares well for meetings, and reviews and comments on minutes and reports
• Gets to know other committee members and builds a collegial working relationship that contributes to consensus
• Is an active participant in the committee’s annual evaluation and planning efforts

Committees

Active and engaged committees are responsible for a wide range of downtown activities.

The activities of the OSDIA are presently supported by a Maintenance & Streetscape Committee (formerly Beautification Committee) and an Events & Promotion Committee.

Additional sub or project committees may be formed from time to time, as needed.

Committee Member

• Regularly attends committee meetings
• Makes serious commitment to participate actively in committee work
• Volunteers for and willingly accepts committee assignments and completes them thoroughly and on time
• Stays informed about committee matters, prepares well for meetings, and reviews and comments on minutes and reports
• Gets to know other committee members and builds a collegial working relationship that contributes to consensus

Volunteers Support Strong Communities

With a strong vision for the future, the Board of Management welcomes the chance to talk with you about opportunities to serve on our Board of Directors, or to support one of our committees.  Please call us at
519-376-9225 or email us at admin@downtownowensound.ca.