Call for Nominations for the 2005-2006 Board of Directors

ACR’s Governance Committee, chaired by Immediate Past President Rosemary Romero, is soliciting nominations for the 2005–2006 Board of Directors. Those elected by the membership and/or appointed by the Board will take office at the conclusion of the 2005 ACR Annual Conference, to be held September 28–October 1 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Service on the ACR Board of Directors provides an opportunity to lead ACR at a time when it is taking on critical, field-shaping work and implementation of a strategic plan. Ideal Board candidates are those with team skills, self-initiative, problem-solving and conflict resolution skills, prior experience on association or nonprofit boards, flexibility of work/life schedule, and a demonstrated progression of leadership in ACR’s Sections, Chapters, Committees or Task Forces. At this time, the Board particularly seeks candidates who have strong communication and planning skills, understanding of multicultural organizational development, fundraising experience and abilities and public policy experience. Those with strong business acumen and experience in running organizations would also be welcomed. ACR’s Board represents diverse practice areas and geographic regions, and its members should reflect ACR’s strong commitment to diversity and equity.

In this election, the following positions will be open on the ACR Board of Directors:

• A President-Elect, who will serve a three-year term, one year as President-Elect; one year as President; and one year as Immediate Past President. The ACR Bylaws require a contested election for this position. The candidate with the largest number of votes becomes President-Elect. The candidate with the next-largest number of votes becomes Vice-President and serves a one-year term.

• Four Directors, including a Sections Director, a Chapters Director and two “at large” Directors, who will each serve three-year terms. The Sections and Chapters Directors are elected by the membership to serve as liaisons with the Sections and Chapters, respectively. One of the two “at large” Directors will be elected by the membership and the Board will appoint the other “at large” Director.

Submitting a Nomination

Nominations for candidates may be submitted via email to ballot@ACRnet.org. Each nomination should include:

• The nominee’s contact information;

• A brief statement (no more than 250 words) describing why s/he should be considered by the Governance Committee;

• A current resume;

• Other materials outlining what the committee should know about the individual, including a list of service and leadership positions in ACR and other organizations;

• A reference from someone who has served on a board or committee with the nominee.

• If submitting a nomination on behalf of someone else, please indicate that the person nominated has been asked, and is willing to serve on the ACR Board.

All nominations must be received by May 28, 2005.

* Please note that candidates for President-Elect must have served previously on the Board of ACR, the Academy of Family Mediators (AFM), the Conflict Resolution Education Network (CREnet), or the Society of Professionals in Dispute Resolution (SPIDR), within five years immediately preceding their nomination.

Position Descriptions:

President-Elect’s Duties

The President-Elect performs the duties of the President in his/her absence and participates in the governance of ACR in a manner best calculated to serve as preparation for his/her term as President; serves as an ex officio member of all committees; participates in all meetings of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee; carries out special assignments at the direction of the President; and develops appropriate plans to facilitate the prompt and effective implementation of the Presidency when his/her term begins. In the event that the office of the President becomes vacant for any reason, the President-Elect serves as President of ACR for the balance of the current President’s term, and then carries out his/her own term.

 

ACR Directors’ Duties

The dedicated efforts of ACR’s Board of Directors are critical to the ultimate success of the organization. The minimum average time commitment required for fulfilling the duties of a Director is 5 to 8 hours per week. Specific responsibilities include: attending a minimum of two in-person meetings per year; managing the policy oversight of ACR; actively participating in the work of 1 to 2 Board committees; engaging in fundraising on behalf of ACR; making a financial contribution to the organization beyond paying membership dues; and serving as a spokesperson for ACR to promote the organization’s interests and the field of conflict resolution.

 

Chapters Director’s Duties

The Chapters Director shall be the designated “point of contact” between the Board and the members and leaders of ACR’s Chapters and shall act as liaison between ACR and local and regional ACR Chapters.

 

Sections Director’s Duties

The Sections Director shall be the designated “point of contact” between the Board and the members and leaders of ACR’s Sections and shall act as liaison between ACR and its Sections.

If you have questions about the nomination process, please send an email to ACR’s Governance Committee (ballot@ACRnet.org) or contact ACR’s Advocacy and Outreach Manager Jennifer Druliner (email: jdruliner@ACRnet.org; phone: 202-464-9700, ext. 228).