AFS-USA Board of Directors Candidates
From AFSWiki
This page is dedicated to informing the AFS community about the nominees and candidates to the AFS-USA Board of Directors, as well as to inform the nominees and candidates about the process. Questions can be sent to nominations@afsusa.org.
Continuing with the process that started last year, the AFS-USA Board of Directors seeks the nomination of field volunteers to the Board. The Board has asked the National Council to coordinate the nomination process that will culminate at the 2012 National Volunteer Assembly in Charlotte, NC, with the selection of the NVA's candidate to the Board. The candidate, once approved by the Board, will serve a three-year term beginning in July 2012.
As you consider possible candidates, please consider that the role of the Board of Directors and the National Council are different. In the broadest terms, the Board provides the organization’s overall strategic direction, oversees the organization's financial performance and selects, evaluates and helps develop the Partner Director. The National Council supports the Board of Directors by providing input to it, as well as setting, implementing, and managing volunteer policies and procedures.
Contents |
2012 Nominees
This is the official list of Board nominees to the 2012 NVA. Delegates will select one volunteer to be their candidate to the AFS-USA Board of Directors.
Click on map for detail. The letter after the nominees name indicates their point on the map.
| # | Nominee | Application | Biography |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Robbin Lang (P) | Received | 2012 Board Nominee Robbin Lang |
| 2 | Michael Proulx (N) | Received | 2012 Board Nominee Michael Proulx |
| 3 | Judy Weyand (K) | Received | 2012 Board Nominee Judy Weyand |
| 4 | Christine Wilson (E) | Received | 2012 Board Nominee Christine Wilson |
Candidate Questions
We asked each candidate two questions so that you can get to know them and their passions.
- What do you believe is the biggest opportunity that AFS-USA will have in the next few years? What is the biggest threat that you believe we are facing?
- What skills and experiences do you have that can help us realize that opportunity and overcome that threat?
See their answers here
Ideal Candidates
Note that these are ideal qualities and not requirements of the position.
The Board is hoping for field volunteers that have a good grasp of AFS program operations, with experience working at the national level (e.g., committees, advisory groups, National Council, Regional Council or other national projects); understand how team accounting works; have a background in financial management and law; and represent the diversity of AFS stakeholders. Additionally, the Board would consider experience working with other nonprofits a strength.
Roles and Responsibilities
Members of the Board of Directors of AFS-USA provide governance and fiscal oversight for the organization. It is Board policy that Directors accept the following responsibilities:
- Set policy, provide vision and strategic direction for AFS-USA, Inc.
- Oversee periodic reporting and monitoring of programs and services to ensure that activities are in sync with the organization’s mission and quality standards.
- Understand and promote the mission of AFS and specifically AFS-USA.
- Ensure that the organization’s mission, vision and purpose are regularly reviewed.
- Make AFS-USA a priority of personal philanthropy.
- Secure and oversee financial resource management to ensure the organization’s financial viability.
- Be actively engaged in fund raising solicitations either directly or by providing AFS-USA access to individuals and organizations whom can be approached for funding.
- Attend a minimum of 3 of the 4 meetings of the Board of Directors annually.
- Meetings rotate between weekdays and weekends. They last approximately 1½ days. An annual retreat is a regular part of the Board planning process and 1½ days are devoted to it. In addition, Board members should attend, if at all possible, ancillary events for volunteers and donors held frequently in all parts of the country.
- Serve on at least one standing committee as requested by the Chairman.
- Committees meet outside the Board setting via conference call. Members can expect 4 to 6 conference calls annually of approximately one hour.
- Assist in periodically assessing how well the Board and its individual members are fulfilling their individual roles and responsibilities.
- The Board should be engaged in assuring the quality of succession of Board members.
- Select the Partner Director and appraise his/her performance. Set goals for his/her performance and ensure clear understanding of role and responsibilities.
- Work in a complimentary manner with the Partner Director, who is the Chief Executive Officer. Since it is not the role of the Board to be involved in day-to-day decisions and activities, the Board should support and provide feedback to the Partner Director so that he/she may carry out the strategies and policies approved by the Board.
FAQs
- What are the financial obligations that field representatives will have as part of the Board, both in terms of what they would need to contribute and fundraise?
- All boards members are expected to contribute financially to AFS-USA. The amount of that contribution can be big or small; it will be left to each member to decide. With regard to fundraising activities, yes, all Board members are expected to participate where ever possible. For instance, fundraising events within that members region or higher-level events coordinated during official Board meetings.
See Also
- AFS-USA Board of Directors
- AFS-USA By-Laws
- Business Plan
- Board Application
- Board Letter of Reference form. (To be completed by two volunteers)
