Interview with Laura Seed – Director on the Bowls Canada Board of Directors

The Board of Directors series continues with Laura Seed. Laura has experience on a number of bowls boards and committees, and is a leader on and off the green. Read on to learn more about Laura and her priorities while on BCB’s Board of Directors.

Q: How did you first get into lawn bowls and how have you been involved with the sport over the years?

A: I met David Anderson at work and he told me about lawn bowling, of which I knew nothing.  As life sometimes goes, David and I became a couple.  Every weekend we were going somewhere for his bowling. At some point I said that I needed to learn this game and the rest is history.  I never would have dreamed that I would go to World Bowls.  

I very quickly became involved in the Milton Lawn Bowling affairs and started on the Board of Directors as secretary.  I am now Vice-President and I have been on a number of committees that are involved in lawn bowling.

Q: What do you like most about the sport?

A: I like that it is a sport that can be played at any skill level and at any age.  I really can’t say that enough.  But for me personally is being able to play the game at a high level of competition, even at my age.  Another thing I like about bowls is when I hear people say “I wish I had started playing this game years ago”.  

Q: What are your responsibilities as Director on the Bowls Canada Board of Directors?

A: In general, my responsibilities are to help develop fiscal policy, provide leadership, ensure proper governance, develop a strategic plan, and support BCB honestly and respectfully.  At any given time I can be on a committee that develops any of these aspects.  At the moment, I am on the governance committee.

Q: Why is it important to have a board of directors?

A: A board of directors overseas all aspects of the “business” and serves to provide support to all members of the organization.  A good board of directors will bring financial and structural stability to the business to ensure its continued existence.  With a good strategic plan, a board of directors will also help the business grow and thrive in the industry.  A good board of directors also inspires confidence from its members that all is being done well and for the good of the industry.  

Q: What do you hope to accomplish while on the board?  What personal skills and attributes do you believe will help you achieve this?

A: There is a lot of talk at the moment about sport being safe and all inclusive.  In other words, safe from bullying and harassment, and to be respectful of everyone regardless of disability, gender, ethnicity etc.  While on the board of directors, I would like to help ensure that resources are allocated to creating a safe and inclusive environment at all the clubs in Canada. I hope that my experiences on a number of boards, as a leader on and off the green, and as a woman will help me do my small part.

Q: What new challenges has this presented to you?

A: The BCB board is a governance board. It looks at the big picture. Understanding all those aspects and contributing in a meaningful way is very challenging, but also allows me to learn many new things. I am more accustomed to contributing on boards at the local level and physically doing much of the work.  

Q: When you’re not playing or volunteering with the sport, how do you spend your time?

A: Right now I have inherited two young dogs and take them on many long walks, rain or shine.  

I spend time with friends as much as possible, I love reading, and I also curl but not since COVID. 

Q: What is a fun fact about yourself?

A: I sometimes say things in a very odd way, maybe because of my French upbringing. Sometimes people aren’t sure if I meant to say what I said, and don’t know if I’m being funny or really smart.  If you know me you know what I mean. A couple of good friends of mine wanted to create a list of the “things that Laura says”.