Member-Elected Trustee

2025 Member-elected Trustee Announcement

The membership program is an important aspect of ROM’s commitment to public access and accountability. Pursuant to the Royal Ontario Museum Act, ROM Members elect four of the 21 positions on the Board of Trustees. A call for nominations to fill one vacancy for a Membership-elected Trustee was shared with the Membership in November 2024 and January 2025. 

ROM is pleased to announce the re-election of Ms. Virginia Van Vliet to its Board of Trustees. Ms. Van Vliet will commence her second three-year term on July 1, 2025. Virginia is a retired librarian, an active member of ROM’s Department of Museum Volunteers Board, and a committed volunteer for the last 25 years. 

ROM congratulates Virginia and looks forward to working with her on the Board. ROM also thanks its Members for their interest and participation in the election process.

General Information

Nomination Process

ROM conducts all nomination and election processes as prescribed under the Membership Policy (PDF) and Membership-elected Trustee Management Policy (PDF).

Candidates must submit to the Board Office a “Candidate Submission Package” which includes the following items:

  1. The signatures (digitally accepted), with the Membership numbers, of at least 25 Current Members in support of their nomination within 30 days following the notice calling for nominations using the nomination form (PDF); one membership number per nomination
  2. A 200-word biography, and a 100-word personal statement in support of their candidacy, which will be made available to Members in the event of an election. The Board Office reserves the right to reject any candidate biography or personal statement that contains any factually inaccurate statement about the ROM or themselves, or that contains any communication that reflects Inappropriate Conduct
  3. May provide a headshot for inclusion in the election material provided to Members in the event of an election
  4. Responses to a pre-established set of questions (PDF), which are prepared by the Governance Committee of the Board of Trustees, and which will be made available to Members in the event of an election
  5. A current police criminal record background check (please allow for two or more weeks of processing time)
  6. A signed nominee statement of declaration form (PDF) in the form provided by the Board Office, declaring that such candidate has complied with, and will comply with, the Membership-elected Trustee Management Policy.

The Election & Voting Process

The Election
If more than three eligible candidates have met the requirements set out within the Membership-elected Trustee Management Policy (PDF), an election will be conducted.

No Campaigning
Campaigning is not permitted by or on behalf of a candidate, as is stipulated in the Membership-elected Trustee Management Practice.  Candidates will have an opportunity to share their biography, personal statement and responses to a pre-established set of candidate questions.

Voting Procedures 
Each ROM Membership number will be entitled to one vote. Only Current Members are entitled to vote and must be in good standing one month before the election. The election will be conducted through electronic means on the ROM website. Instructions on how to cast a vote will be provided to members in advance of the election via email.