Love WORD? Consider becoming a board member

WORD Christchurch is looking for new trustees to join the board of the South Island’s largest festival of words, stories and ideas. 

WORD produces an annual festival every spring alongside other projects and events throughout the year that celebrate words in all their forms. 

Our vision is to open windows, share worlds and discover common threads between diverse communities through the transformative power of storytelling. 

WORD is a not-for-profit organisation and charitable trust funded through core funding from Christchurch City Council and Creative New Zealand, box office sales, and a mix of other funders, sponsors, grants and philanthropy. The role of our volunteer trustee board is to guide WORD’s vision, direction and priorities, ensuring these are valued and implemented by our small but amazing team. Our trustees offer financial oversight, ensure responsible use of resources, enhance relationships with our stakeholders, monitor legal compliance and make sound decisions for the benefit of the organisation.

We welcome applications from Waitaha Canterbury-based individuals with governance experience, as well as accountancy, business or commercial experience, and fundraising. We especially welcome applications from people who bring te ao Māori or Pacific perspectives, or who reflect the diverse communities of Ōtautahi Christchurch.

We offer you:

A chance to grow your governance experience. Supportive and generous board colleagues. World-class events to attend and the opportunity to support an organisation that enhances wellbeing and strengthens the identity of our Christchurch communities through the arts. In addition, trustees have an opportunity to contribute to one of WORD’s sub-committees.

Time commitment:

Trust meetings are usually held on the third Tuesday of the month from 5pm. Time commitment is approximately five hours per month. Half of our board members are connected to our kaupapa of words in all their forms, and the other half bring management, financial and legal expertise.

Information required from applicants:

Please email a short cover letter, tell us why you would like to join our board, and attach your CV by 5pm, Thursday 12 November.

If you would like to talk to a board member to find out more about what we do, and how you could help, Chair Vicki Blyth is happy to hear from you at chair@wordchristchurch.co.nz.