Call for Nominations for Election to ACR's

Board of Directors and President-Elect

Each year, ACR seeks dedicated, energetic, enthusiastic, talented and knowledgeable members to become volunteer leaders as Board Directors and Officers. If you are such a member or know a member who qualifies, this is the time to consider becoming a candidate (or nominating someone) for a seat on the Board. For information about the time and other commitments Board members make to ACR, or for any other information about being a Director, please contact any present Director. You can find their contact information at http://www.acrnet.org/about/board.htm

As provided in ACR’s Bylaws, the Nominating Committee is soliciting nominations for the following positions, to be elected in August/September by voting members of ACR:

A President-Elect, who will serve a three-year term, commencing at the end of the 2009 Annual Conference, the first year as President-Elect, the second year as President and the third year as Immediate Past-President. To be eligible for election to this office a candidate must either serve currently on the Board or have served on the Board within the five years immediately preceding his or her nomination as President-Elect.

Three Directors-at-Large and a Chapters Director who will each serve three-year terms, commencing at the end of the 2009 Annual Conference. One additional Director-at-Large to serve a one year term. To be eligible for election to the Board, a person must be a Member of ACR in good standing and at least eighteen years of age.

The duties and qualifications for these positions are as follows:

The President-Elect shall perform the duties of the President in his or her absence and such other duties as may be assigned by the President. If the office of President becomes vacant, the President-Elect shall serve as President for the balance of the prior President’s term. The President-Elect shall be a member of the Board and the Executive Committee, and an ex officio member of all committees.
 

At-large Directors are expected to commit sufficient time and effort to manage the policy oversight of ACR and engage in fundraising on its behalf, in recognition of the importance of their dedicated efforts to the ultimate success of ACR.

The Chapters Director is the designated point of contact between the Board and the members and leaders of ACR’s Chapters and serves as the liaison between the Chapters and the rest of ACR. In addition to meeting the eligibility requirements for At-large Directors, the Chapters Director should have served in the leadership of a Chapter.
 

All recommendations for candidates must be received, in writing, by the close of business on July 9, 2009, to ACR Nominating Committee, 5151 Wisconsin Ave. NW #500, Washington, DC 20016 or by email to pwashington@acrnet.org with “Nominations Committee” in the subject line.
 

As you consider recommending yourself or nominating another member, please review the following attributes of ACR Board members that will be part of the selection process for nominees for the board:

• Demonstrated past commitment and involvement with ACR. Examples include but are not limited to service on Section Advisory Council or Chapter Executive Committee, ACR Committees, Task Forces and Special Projects. 

• Recognized leader in the ACR community. Examples include but are not limited to serving as the chair of a Section or Chapter, ACR Conference Local Arrangements Chair, Board Committee, i.e. Finance, Audit, Human Resources, etc. 

• Relevant expertise in the disciplines of organizational or business management. Examples include but are not limited to branding, fundraising, component relations, finance, conference planning, publications, or others. Preferred: experience in similar nonprofit professional or service organization.

• ACR values and seeks diverse leadership as defined by race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, nationality, disability, appearance, geographic location, and professional level. It seeks leaders from all types and sizes of conflict resolution organizations. 

• Commitment to attend and participate in the national conference and four board meetings a year, the first and last at the national conference, and two two-day meetings during the year. Expenses to attend Board meetings are eligible for reimbursement upon request. Board members are asked to provide financial support to the Annual Fund, special events and/or fundraising campaigns.

• Time management. ACR Board members are expected to commit from 5 to 10 hours a week performing board and committee business.

• Positive leadership attributes. Emotional intelligence. Ability to work collaboratively and engage in constructive debate and discussion when needed. Ability and willingness to lead a committee, task force and/or working group.

• Visionary and strategic thinker. Demonstrated ability and appreciation of new and innovative programs. Examples include but are not limited to incorporating strategy, leadership, future focus, risk taking and an entrepreneurial spirit.

• Collegial attitude and commitment toward all ACR members. Openness to new ideas, projects and strategies that support the mission of ACR. Respect and positive attitude toward the work of ACR, its board and staff a well as the sections, chapters, committees, task forces and work groups.

Each nomination must include:

1. the position for which it is being made;
2. the nominee’s contact information;
3. the contact information for the person submitting the recommendation; and
4. a brief statement (not exceeding 250 words) regarding the nominee’s eligibility and other qualifications for the position, as well as any other information that might be relevant to the Nominating Committee’s consideration of the recommended individual, such as:
   1. service and leadership positions held in ACR and other organizations;
   2. special expertise and/or knowledge that would be useful for the position for which he or she is being nominated; and
   3. (if the recommendation is being made for someone else) whether the nominee has been asked, and has understood the attributes, and agreed, to serve if elected.

 Respectfully submitted,

 Marilyn McKnight, Chair of the Nominating Committee