The Organization

Northlands Park has a long-standing history within Alberta's northern communities and was originally incorporated as the Edmonton Agricultural Society in 1879. Started by a group of ambitious individuals that included first president of the organization, Inspector W. D. Jarvis, membership was drawn from individuals who resided in the communities of St. Albert, Fort Saskatchewan, and Edmonton.

From the beginning, Northlands Park has been a volunteer-driven and community-service oriented organization. Shortly following its creation, it pursued and received non-profit society status. With the sustainability of North-central Alberta agriculture as a driving purpose, the society evolved from host of one-day annual exhibitions into a highly sophisticated organization enacting multiple roles.

Originally conceptualized as a way of promoting and enhancing farming and livestock work, Northlands Park has broadened its base of activities, striving to meet its mission of being the foremost provider of entertainment, community service, business development, and agricultural and trade events in North-central Alberta.

Fulfilling the above mandate is a large undertaking, especially when the breadth of activities encompassed by this goal are considered. In order to function in a unified and effective manner, the large number of employees and the organization's board must work collaboratively.

The path to becoming a board member begins through active volunteerism. Individuals must start off by registering as volunteers and contributing in this capacity. Once actively volunteering, they can submit an application to purchase a $5 CDN member share in the organization that does not increase in value. If they are accepted for shareholder and member status, they are then eligible for election to Director status on the board.

Northlands Park's board is made up of these elected directors, and government appointed directors, all of whose positions are not remunerated. The board is made up of 18 elected members, up to four members of the community, and nine government appointees (representing the City of Edmonton, Province of Alberta and Government of Canada).

On a yearly basis, the board elects a Director to the role of President, usually for two years maximum. A board Executive Committee is also created. Northlands Park's Board of Directors directly oversees the organization's six Function Areas, Standing Committees, and the General Manager.

Each of the six Function Areas is in charge of helping to develop, organize, and effectively carry out Klondike Days, Agriculture, Canadian Finals Rodeo, Racing and Gaming, Facilities, Planning, and Development; and Public Relations. A director appointed by the board President is responsible for each area.

Standing Committees, which are created by the board each year, serve functions based on Articles of Association. These committees are Finance and Audit, Shares, Nominating, Hall of History, Volunteer Coordinating, and Youth. A chair of the Standing Committee is annually selected by the board President.

A General Manager for Northlands Park is employed by the Board of Directors. Important duties for the General Manager include recruiting and managing the many staff needed for Northlands Park operations.

As a community based organization, Northlands Park has a large pool of active volunteers at its base, with a count nearing 800 in 2004. From that group of volunteers, almost 270 people give representation to both rural and urban Alberta as shareholding members.

Although highly accomplished as an organization, Northlands Park has retained its non-profit roots by reinvesting all of its net earnings into events, programs, and facilities. In the spirit of community service, board members, many of whom spend long hours working for the organization, do not receive any remuneration at all.

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