Arviat (Nov 24/04) - Only one week remains for Kivalliq communities to submit recommendations for a position on Nunavut Arctic College's (NAC) board of governors.

Former governor Laura Kowmuk of Rankin Inlet had her term expire on Nov. 3. Kowmuk decided not to return to the board due to work commitments.

Nunavut Arctic College president Mac Clendenning is looking for a new Kivalliq member for the college's board of governors. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

The deadline for recommendations is Dec. 1.

The eight-member board is comprised of staff and student representatives, along with two community reps from each region, to provide overall governance to the college.

NAC president Mac Clendenning said board members nominate a chairperson and a vice-chairperson, and form executive, policy-and-programs and finance committees.

"The board of governors provides direction for the college to move forward with its programming," said Clendenning.

"It also approves the budget and our business plan."

The board meets once in each region every year for a three-day duration.

Clendenning said board members receive an honorarium for attending meetings and working on committees.

"The previous board started moving the annual meetings away from the regional centres.

"It's important to get the board into smaller communities so people there can observe the meetings.

"And, if there's people who would like to make a presentation on what they'd like to see the college doing, they have a chance to do that."

Clendenning said while there's no formal qualifications for being a board member, potential candidates should be recommended by a prominent member of their community.

He said the education minister decides on the length of the term -- one or two years -- which can be renewed once.

When a person serves two consecutive terms, they can't be nominated again for a three-year period.

"I submit a list to the minister's office from the recommendations we receive, including a bit of background on each person and who they were recommended by.

"Once the minister makes a selection, we prepare a request for decision which must be ratified by cabinet.

"We hope to have the new governor in place early in the new year."