At AMSSA, we believe meaningful change is achieved through collaboration. 

The challenges facing the settlement and integration sector and the opportunities for change and innovation, go hand-in-hand, and we at AMSSA are at the centre of this work. Broad systems, relationships, and structures influence how communities experience access, belonging and opportunity. We recognize that the strength of our work is rooted in the relationships we build with members, communities, partners, and Indigenous knowledge holders. 

As a B.C. provincial nonprofit umbrella organization, we provide critical backbone supports to 90+ member organizations. We are committed to advancing diverse needs at local, provincial, and national levels. As an organization, we believe that by fostering strong networks, informing policy decisions, and amplifying key messages, we can create meaningful and lasting impact. We provide comprehensive support that enriches professional growth, strengthens organizational capacity and fosters meaningful connections.   

This requires a different way of working. We are in an era of transformative sector change and AMSSA continues to adapt to that mission. We are in the middle of a new strategic plan to guide our work for the next 5 years. 

The following strategic themes will guide our work, our relationships and governance. AMSSA’s role is to create the conditions for stronger alignment, deeper understanding, and more coordinated action across the sector and beyond. It is to support the movement of knowledge, relationships, and ideas in ways that strengthen the collective ability to respond to both current realities and future possibilities.  

This is the approach that will now guide our work over the next five years.  

• STRATEGIC THEME 1: ADVANCING OUR PURPOSE  
• STRATEGIC THEME 2: RELATIONSHIPS WITH MEMBERS 
• STRATEGIC THEME 3: AMPLIFYING VOICES AND COMMON MESSAGES 
• STRATEGIC THEME 4: BUILDING AND MAINTAINING PARTNERSHIPS 
• STRATEGIC THEME 5: FINANCIAL STABILITY AND REVENUE GENERATION 
• STRATEGIC THEME 6: DISRUPTING SYSTEMS 
• STRATEGIC THEME 7: INNOVATION, OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES

PURPOSE

At the heart of AMSSA is a dedication to advancing equity, inclusion and belonging by leading and influencing the systems that shape settlement, integration, and community well-being. Recognizing that our community is diverse, our purpose is to amplify collective voices, galvanize partners, respond to emerging priorities, and drive transformative systems change through innovative and evidence-informed leadership. AMSSA is evolving beyond its role as a connector of organizations to become a catalyst for system transformation, shaping more equitable, responsive, impactful and community-informed systems across the sector and broader ecosystem.   

 Centered in our work is an acknowledgment that the ground we stand on carries histories, teachings and truths that call us to honour Indigenous presence, past and future, to lead by reimagining traditional ways of working and embedding decolonizing principles into how we convene, partner, make decisions, and shape the future of our sector.  

MANDATE

Our mandate includes three main areas of organizational focus: sector capacity and leadership development; lead, convene and mobilize; and influence systems and drive change.   

VALUES
Our guiding principles reflect our core values and serve as the foundation for our decision-making. They shape how we engage with one another, guide our actions and ensure consistency and integrity in everything we do. 

• We Advance Equity 
• We Champion Inclusion  
• We Lead with Integrity  
• We Honour Diversity  
• We Practice Mutual Respect  
• We Lead Through Collaboration   
• We Commit to Sustainable Transformation  
• We Practice Decolonization  
  
  

BOARD STRUCTURE AND COMMITMENT
AMSSA’s governance board structure reflects its role as a provincial organization. Our Board is made up of directors who bring a range of expertise, lived experience, intersectionalities, regional perspectives, and community relationships that guides and supports the organization’s work.

The Board brings together directors from across British Columbia to provide strategic direction, ensure accountability, and steward the organization’s mission, values, and long-term sustainability. While the Board elects Executive positions, it also maintains a rotating Chair for Board meetings, supporting shared leadership and participation among directors.

Through defined roles, committees, and collaborative practices, the Board works closely with the CEO and Executive Leadership to guide AMSSA’s work in a way that is responsive and grounded in community. Board meetings also reflect AMSSA’s commitment to decolonization, including intentional space for reflection at the start of each meeting to support relational accountability and thoughtful decision-making.

Directors ensure the fiduciary accountability and may be appointed as signing authorities for the organization. Standing committees of the Board include Finance, Development, and Nominations. All Directors must be a member of a minimum of 1 committee. In addition, Directors may take part in ad-hoc committees and working groups created based on need.

Board meetings are primarily held online, with 1-2 in-person meetings each year. Board and committee commitments typically involve approximately 1-3 meetings per month (an approximate commitment of 3-10 hours a month).

Directors are elected by AMSSA’s Full Organization Members at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), which is typically held in September. The tentative date for the 2026 AGM is September 17.

Board Directors serve up to two-year terms and may serve a maximum of three consecutive terms.

IDEAL CANDIDATES:

Are you someone who is interested to support an evolving settlement landscape? Do you have a unique set of skills that will complement our current Board expertise? Are you excited about change, innovation and partnering across non-traditional areas of settlement and integration services? 

We welcome candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds. All candidates must demonstrate alignment with AMSSA’s core values, understanding of the Board governance structure, and contribute to the Board of Directors in advancing AMSSA's mandate, vision and strategic direction. The following skills has been identified as complementary to our existing Directors:

• Social Enterprise and Revenue Diversification
• Finance / Accounting
• Legal (Non Profit / Immigration and Human Rights)
• Communications, Brand and Public Engagement (Media Relations, Marketing)
• Community Development and Sector Capacity