How Do I Get Nominated?
As a SOCAN member, there are three ways you can become a candidate in the SOCAN Board of Directors elections.
Self-nomination
Any eligible member may self-nominate. They must meet royalty thresholds and the nomination must be signed by a minimum of 25 members who are eligible to vote in the 2025 election. A writer candidate must be nominated by 25 eligible writer members and a publisher candidate must be nominated by 25 eligible publisher members.
Self-nominations for 2025 is now closed.
Nominating Committee
The Writer Nominating Committee will nominate eligible Writer Members, and the Publisher Nominating Committee will nominate eligible Publisher Members. See below for more information on this process.
Incumbent Directors
Each member of the current Board will automatically be regarded as a candidate for re-election unless they are ineligible under the SOCAN By-Laws or instruct SOCAN in writing that they do not wish to pursue re-election.
What is the Nominating Committee?
The Nominating Committee is responsible for selecting eligible candidates to run for the Board. There are two Nominating Committees: a Writer’s Nominating Committee and a Publisher’s Nominating Committee. The members of the Nominating Committees must be either all SOCAN Members (Writer’s Nominating Committee) or a majority of SOCAN Members (Publisher’s Nominating Committee). The members of the Nominating Committees are chosen by the current Board of Directors for their expertise and knowledge. The Nominating Committee shall nominate at least the number of candidates equal to the number of positions available for each Writer Director and Publisher Director position.
Are all SOCAN members eligible to serve on the Board of Directors?
Any Writer Member who received at least $300 in performing right royalties from SOCAN in the previous three calendar years and whose principal residence is in Canada (or in the case of a Writer Member who no longer has a principal residence in Canada, the place the Writer Member declares as a previous Canadian address) is eligible to run for the Board.
Any Publisher Member representative where the publisher has received at least $3,000 in performing right royalties from SOCAN in the previous three calendar years is eligible if (1) the Publisher Member has a principal location within Canada where it carries out business and (2) the representative is a Canadian citizen and has their principal residence in Canada.
There are certain circumstances that will make Writer and Publisher Members not eligible to serve on the Board (e.g., representatives from affiliated publishers or if there has been an assignment of bankruptcy, etc.). For more detailed information on these restrictions, consult Section V of the SOCAN By-Laws.
Who is on the Nominating Committees?
The Writer Nominating Committee comprises at least three but no more than five Writer Members (chosen by the Writer Directors on the current Board), and the Publisher Nominating Committee comprises at least three but no more than five individuals, the majority of whom are Publisher Members (chosen by the Publisher Directors on the current Board). Each member of the Nominating Committee cannot stand as a candidate for the Board.
How many nominees do the Nominating Committees put forth?
For the 2025 Elections, the Writer Nominating Committee nominates at least three candidates. These candidates must be Writer members, where at least one is designated as a creator of “Audiovisual Music,” at least two are designated as writers of “Music Other Than Audiovisual Music,” at least one is designated as “Francophone,” and at least one resides in “the West,” at least one resides in Quebec and at least one resides in “the East.”
For the 2025 Elections, the Publisher Nominating Committee nominates at least three candidates who are Publisher Members of whom at least one resides in Quebec and at least two reside in “the East,” and at least one candidate is designated as “Francophone”.
What qualities do the Nominating Committees consider in a potential candidate?
A combination of experience, behavioural skills, personal qualities, and relevant knowledge are considered by the Nominating Committees. For additional information, review director competencies.
How are candidates notified once chosen?
Candidates selected by the Nominating Committees will be notified of their nomination status by email. All nominees must then accept or decline the nomination in writing.
