Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors consists of no fewer than five members and no more than eleven members. Of the five to eleven members, there shall be no more than two remote members serving at a time. Board members shall serve for a term of three years. 

A board member can serve two consecutive terms.  At the conclusion of a second term, a Board member must pause for a period of one year before running for the Board again.  

The board meets once a month. For the past several years, those meetings have been either the first or second Wednesday evening of each month, depending on current members’ schedules.  

If you have any questions, please call us at 906-226-8575 or email us at hello@hiawathamusic.org

Requirements for Eligibility:  

• Applicants must be a Member in Good Standing of the Hiawatha Music Co-op (HMC) for no less than 12 months prior to the time of application. 
• Applicants must have additionally participated in at least one of the three following activities (therefore showing a commitment and ensuring a familiarity with the mission and functions of the Hiawatha Music Co-op ):
  • Worked / Volunteered / Performed (led a workshop/been a paid performer) at the Hiawatha Annual Traditional Music Festival for a minimum of 3 hours within the previous 12 months.
  • Volunteered at a HMC event outside of the Annual Festival
  • Have had active involvement on an HMC committee within the 12 months preceding the BOD election.

Board of Directors Responsibilities:  

• Board Members are required to attend monthly board meetings in person under normal circumstances, or by prior arrangement - virtually when necessary. During critical times, more than one board meeting may be held per month. Most board meetings last 2 hours. **More than three unexcused absences may be cause for removal from the Board, per Board discretion.
  • Virtual Board Members:  Up to two virtual board members of the eleven board members may serve at a time. The existence of the Virtual Board Member position may vary per year. There are currently NO virtual positions for the 2027 Term.
  • Virtual board members are defined as those who have permanent residency outside of the Upper Peninsula.
  • This applicant must be able to attend monthly board meetings virtually and be willing to assist with Hiawatha local events in some capacity.
  • This virtual position is being added to allow HMC to benefit from the skills of an interested Member who lives outside the immediate area. 
• Applicants must have access to and regularly use email as well as experience with or willingness to learn how to use Google Drive. 
• Applicants must serve on and be active in a standing HMC committee (Events Committee, Membership Committee, Fundraising & Sponsorship Committee, Investment Planning Committee, or the Facilities & Equipment Maintenance Committee). Committee meetings last 1 hour on average.
• Applicants must participate in the Annual Music Festival in a Coordinator or Monitor position.
• Applicants must attend the Annual Board Retreat and Annual Membership Meeting.
• Applicants must attend or support an HMC activity for a minimum of 4 hours each month. This may include the monthly board meetings or committee meetings or outside events held on a regular basis.
• Applicants must be able to understand the legal responsibility as a trustee of the organization, be committed to the organization and group process, make decisions based on the mission of the organization and what is best for those you serve, recruit new organization members and volunteers to serve on committees, prepare in advance for all board meetings, help secure necessary resources for the organization, and annually evaluate the Executive Director.
• New HMC Board members will be required to attend a Board Orientation program in December, before beginning the first year of their three-year term. 

Board of Directors Festival Benefit Package:  

• Weekend passes for board member, plus one adult guest and any children under age 18 under their guardianship
• Meals in the Hiawatha Cafe for themselves and their family unit
• 3 complimentary weekend passes
• 1 Parking Pass
• 1 Camping Tag
• 1 Festival Official T-Shirt
• Thursday night camping for their family unit