As always, the beginning of the year has been busy. We just had one of the most critical Board meetings of the year. For all Board meetings, Board members work with Staff to review operations and Society business. We work together to keep ASPE on a path of strength. It is our responsibility to work for the betterment of our members and ASPE. At the April Board meeting, we visited the site of our upcoming Convention & Expo and had the opportunity to provide input on the 2022 Business Meeting.
At the biennial Business Meeting, Chapter Delegates make important decisions about the future of our Society, including electing the next ASPE Board of Directors. This is the time for members to define how they want to contribute to this Society as a Board member. Where does your passion lie? Follow your passion and run for a Society Board position; it is a great chance to benefit ASPE and be a part of something more!
I encourage those who are ready to make a difference to submit your application soon. Here is the link: aspe.org/wp-content/uploads/2022_BOD_Application.pdf. The deadline is May 16.
Even if you aren’t a Chapter Delegate, I ask you to come to the 2022 Business Meeting to hear about ASPE’s future. The most important part of ASPE is you, the member. Your leadership makes ASPE strong.
ASPE Board Member Q&A
I receive quite a few questions about serving on the ASPE Board of Directors. Here are some answers for those who are considering applying.
What are the travel responsibilities?
- Quarterly Board meetings (January, April, July, September/October). Three of these meetings are held on Friday–Sunday and one is at the site of the Convention & Expo/Symposium, which may increase travel by a day.
- One Region Meeting in June
- Convention & Expo or Symposium in September/October
This is the base travel for a Board position. The President position requires more travel.
How often do you meet?
In addition to the above, we also have monthly Board calls. Region Directors have monthly calls with their Chapters, and Vice Presidents meet with their committees/councils when needed.
How many hours a week do you dedicate to ASPE?
The President position can require 20 hours a week or more. On average, a Board member should expect a minimum of 10 hours.
Building with Strength
Although the next election will soon be upon us, it is your current Board’s responsibility to follow through on our promises to our members. This Board has maintained a stable path for our Society. We have consciously provided Staff support, governed our finances, coordinated events, built relationships with partners, and supported our Chapters and our members. The past two years have been difficult, and we are working to stay in a position of stable strength—and even growth. To achieve these goals we will continue to make our Society, our profession, and our members stronger.
At our last Board meeting I stated a simple truth: It is not your failure to ask for help. It is our failure to not work together. It is not failure to want more. It is failure to not try. I know it is integrity that drives you to want more for our members, for yourselves, for life. It is your talents that make ASPE work. ASPE is built. It is not a given that ASPE will exist forever. It is, however, a given that the decisions of the people in this room provide a path for its existence. When you sit in this room, be inspiring, use your talents, reflect, and understand the big picture. It is your decisions that make a difference to build ASPE, strengthen ASPE.
The Region Meetings are close. The leadership of the future of ASPE will be in attendance. At these crucial meetings for Chapter leaders, you can get new ideas and help your fellow members achieve their goals. The Region Meetings are the best time to listen, understand, share, and grow as leaders. A Board member and a Staff member will be there to listen, understand, and help support our Chapters. ASPE is evolving, and we have an ability that some associations do not: Our size allows us to make decisions and act on them quickly. Let’s listen and build ASPE better.
I hope to see and hear from everyone! Thank you for your efforts in contributing to ASPE’s growth and future. You are a steward of our Society. We can make a difference. Let us all keep working passionately for this Society.
