Information for Prospective Board Candidates, Page 1

INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATES

FOR RESNA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

On behalf of the RESNA Governance Committee,thank you for your interest in nominating someone to be a member of the RESNA Board of Directors. The strength of our organization lies, in large part, with the leaders we choose. Those willing to commit the time and energy to lead the organization are invited to submit their names for nomination.

The Governance Committee is responsible for reviewing the qualifications of those interested in running for election, and then recommending a slate of candidates for approval by the current Board. As indicated on the Nomination Form, submittal of a nomination does not guarantee a place on the slate of candidates.

During the nominating period, we will be accepting self-nominations and third-party nominations (nominating someone other than yourself) for threeopen Board member positions. If you know someone who has the appropriate leadership qualities, personal characteristics, knowledge, and experience, please nominate them.

Minimum Requirements for Board Service

According to the RESNA Bylaws, the minimum requirement for a candidate for a 3-year term on the Board is to have been a RESNA member in good standing for a period of at least 3 yearsimmediately preceding their nomination.At the same time, there is a strong preference for Board candidates to have a history of participation in and contribution to RESNA organizational activities (e.g., SIGs, PSGs, Committees, Boards, and task forces), preferably including having served in some leadership capacities. However, there may be instances where a candidate without extensive organizational experience is able to make a significant contribution as a Board member due to their particular background, skills, or contributions to the field or to other organizations.

The Role of the RESNA Leadership

RESNA officers work to promote the purpose and objectives of the organization as described in the Bylaws:

The purpose of RESNA shall be to contribute to the public welfare through scientific, literary, professional, and educational activities by supporting the development, dissemination, and utilization of knowledge and practice of rehabilitation and assistive technology in order to achieve the highest quality of life for all citizens.

To achieve this purpose, the objectives of RESNA shall be:

(a) To provide consultation and coordination concerning matters of interest to the membership of RESNA.

(b) To foster liaison between the disciplines involved in the field of rehabilitation and assistive technology, and to relate developments in other areas of science, technology, and service delivery.

(c) To promote training and developments of pertinent professional manpower.

(d) To serve as a forum for the development of standards, terminology, and guidelines.

(e) To plan and conduct scientific, technical, and educational meetings and programs, one of which, each calendar year, shall be called the Annual Conference.

(f) To publish and disseminate information.

(g) To stimulate and encourage relevant research.

(h) To establish and maintain programs of professional certification, educational evaluation and approval, and accreditation of clinical facilities in assistive and rehabilitation technology.

(i) To conduct such other activities as are necessary for the fulfillment of these objectives.

Duties and Powers of the Board of Directors

The RESNA Bylaws specify the Duties and Powers of the Board of Directors. These include:

  • To adopt rules and regulations covering the election of members of all categories, which might supplement those in the Bylaws.
  • To fix fees, dues, and assessments for all categories of membership.
  • To employ administrative and technical personnel as the Board may consider necessary to support the activities of RESNA.
  • To create all committees, and to approve the President's appointments of Chairs to these committees.
  • To create advisory groups and councils as may be necessary for effective liaison with other organizations and the community.
  • To report to the Society annually its work and activities, including a financial statement, and such interim reports as are necessary and advisable.
  • To exercise its legal and constitutional authority and responsibility in the direction and conduct of the affairs of RESNA, including the initiation and establishment of policy, in order to promote and attain the objectives of RESNA.
  • To engage in business activities including, but not limited to the entering of contracts, leases, and other legal documents, the purchasing and sale of real and personal property, the pledging as security, assets of RESNA, and the transacting of all other affairs of RESNA not otherwise provided for.

In addition, the Board is generally responsible for working with the Executive Director in

long-range and strategic planning, establishing an annual operating budget and regularly monitoring the financial performance of the organization, approving professional standards and technology-related position papers, and providing policy direction and guidance for the organization.

Individual Responsibilities of Officers and Board Members

Board membership is not an honorary position bestowed in acknowledgement of past service. The RESNA Board of Directors is a working board, and prospective members should anticipate contributing a significant amount of time and energy to this position. Individuals serving on the RESNA Board are expected to:

  • Uphold the objectives, ethical principals, and position statements of RESNA.
  • Attend and participate in bi-monthly teleconference meetings of the Board. (These can be held more often if requested by the Board President.) There is also a full-day Board meeting held at the time of the RESNA Annual Conference in June.
  • Stay informed about the business and activities of the organization, including its finances, Boards, Committees, and Task Forces.
  • Actively participate on a RESNA Committee, Task Force, or in individually assigned activities, as requested by the Board President.
  • Attend and participate in the RESNA Annual Conference, to the extent possible.
  • Act as an unofficial “Ambassador” for the field, promoting RESNA and its activities.
  • Actively communicate with RESNA members about their needs, interests, and concerns, transmitting that information back to the relevant Committees or Board discussions.

Nominating and Election Procedures

Candidates for the Board will submit the official nomination form within the time lines specified by the Call for Nominations, providing background information, and answering a set of questions. These include:

  1. Write a brief summary of the qualifications that you bring to the RESNA Board of Directors.

2. Please list the contributions you have made to RESNA (e.g., leadership positions, work groups, etc.).

3. Which of your contributions to RESNA are you most proud of?

4. List honors or awards received from professional organizations with whom you are involved.

5. List the boards you are presently serving on or have served on (RESNA and others) and what your main contributions were.

6. Describe a strategy for building capacity, fostering innovation, leading change, or managing resources that you have successfully implemented and how that will help you to help RESNA.

7. What do you see as the biggest internal or external challenge(s) facing RESNA today, and how would you suggest the organization address them?

8. Volunteer leadership in any organization requires a commitment of personal time. Please include a statement that indicates whether you can devote the necessary time (typically at least 5-10 hours/month).

A headshot is also requested.

In addition to the answers to the above questions, the Nominating Committee will also consider:

  • The overall mix on the current Board, with the aim of maintaining a balance among different areas of professional expertise and practice and giving due consideration to members who are consumers of assistive technology.
  • Demonstrated interest in broader issues facing the organization.

The Nomination and Election Process

  • Governance Committee sets time line for elections and sends out Call for Nominations
  • Nominations form submitted by established deadline.
  • Governance Committee reviews nominations for completeness, discusses nominee’s qualifications and contributions, and proposes a slate of Candidates to the Board.
  • Board discusses and approves final slate of Candidates.
  • Candidates submit final Candidate Statement (similar to the nominations form)
  • RESNA office oversees balloting and announces winners.

Questions?

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about the nomination process or Board member responsibilities.

Ray Grott

Co-Chair, Governance Committee,

Mary Ellen Buning

Co-Chair, Governance Committee,