This was not my first run for the SOCAN board of directors, but much to my delight, I was elected this time. It has been a good 10 years since I began my involvement in copyright matters, sitting on a variety of boards (SPACQ and SODRAC). This commitment gave me a much deeper understanding of the importance of copyright. I am primarily an AV composer, but I also write pop music and in other genres, including stage music.

The public-performance right being the oldest in our legislation, I had to familiarize myself first with the other rights before getting to it. In the digital age, SOCAN is called upon to play a fundamental role not only in collecting performing rights on our behalf but also as a leader among the world’s music-rights organizations. We must think globally.

Where can I be of most help? I am a new board member of an organization known for its rock-solid governance. I am planning to continue to learn while being confident that my personal traits and my open mind to the diverse realities I experience as a creator will help me work for the furtherance of our common cause as we face tomorrow’s challenges.

Being familiar with the workings of boards of directors, and knowing that the SOCAN board operates extremely smoothly, my initial feeling is that we can be efficient as a decision-making entity. For some new directors, the board orientation meeting we had in June may have seemed a bit intense, as it dealt with such a heavy information load, but for me it was an opportunity to learn more about the importance of individual directors and where we can make a difference. This board orientation day took place the day before the first meeting of the new board — at which the SOCAN president and executive committee were elected — and two days before the first meetings of the board’s committees. I am one of the six members of the new Tariff, Licensing and Distribution Committee. This is where the rubber hits the road for members, and this is where I wanted to be.

So we’ve had our initial meetings. Over the next three months, we will be getting up to speed on SOCAN issues and honing our committee work. We are keeping in touch on a weekly basis to follow up on issues. You might say I have my work cut out for me. But then again, that’s why I ran for the board in the first place!

Uploaded Autumn 2009

Comments? Questions? Suggestions? Send them to Rick MacMillan, Words & Music Corporate Editor, at wordsandmusic@socan.ca.

Back to issue