As our thoughts and efforts focus on the ending of Fall semester, planning for the busy holiday season and the beginning of a new semester in Spring, I want to ask you all to consider adding one more thing to your list– HAPS leadership. Each year we elect representatives to the HAPS Board of Directors. One of my responsibilities as President-Elect is to chair the annual Nominating Committee and solicit potential candidates for the upcoming open leadership positions. We are currently accepting nominations for candidates to fill the four HAPS offices with terms that will end this year. These offices are: President-Elect, Treasurer, Eastern Regional Director, and Western Regional Director. You may be nominated by a colleague, or you are welcome to submit your own name to the Nominating Committee before January 15, 2016 in order to be considered. Feel free to send any questions or nominations to me at tthompson@hapsconnect.org.
We are all excited as Kyla Ross leads the Annual Conference Planning Committee as they get ready to welcome all of us to the HAPS 30th annual conference in Atlanta, Georgia in May. This is a time to celebrate as we recognize and acknowledge the dedication and great leadership of so many HAPSters that has brought this organization to where it is today. Bill Perrotti’s new-found blogging bug (aka Geezer Gab) has helped all of us realize not only how much has been accomplished, but how much fun we’ve all had along the way.
It is also an exciting time of growth and potential as we reach the mid-point of the HAPS five-year strategic plan. Will you be able to share your leadership skills to keep the organization going strong for another 30 years? Do you know a fellow HAPSter that would be great leaders, but might need some encouragement?
As I was skimming through archive HAPS Educator issues looking for an Edu-Snippet I wanted to give a try to add some spice to my last unit this semester, I came across an interesting note. There in the Summer 2012 (Vol. 16; Issue 4) article I saw a list of the “First-timers” from the Tulsa 2012 Conference. Sure enough, there among the list was Kyla Ross! I am sure she had no idea back then she would be hosting the annual conference just a few years later. If you aren’t ready just yet for the Board, you might want to consider becoming more involved as a member of one of the HAPS committees. Your time and talents will be put to good use in many different ways asynchronously throughout the year. I can assure you from my own experience that this is a rewarding and exciting opportunity to interact with your fellow HAPSters. I feel I always get so much more than I give.
Now for the more technical details: All discussions of potential candidates will remain confidential within the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee will review all nominations and verify willingness to serve. Working with me this year on the Nominating Committee are Don Kelly, Foundation Oversight Committee Co-chair and past President (2011-2012); Kevin Patton, past President (1997-1998); and Wendy Riggs, Communications Committee Chair. A final slate of candidates will be recommended to the Board of Directors for approval in March, with a maximum of two candidates for President-Elect and maximum of three candidates for each of the other offices. The final candidates will be asked to provide a biography and position statement for the April ballot.
All of the elected officers serve on the Board of Directors during their term. All Terms will commence July 1, 2016. The Board meets twice a year in person: mid-year during a weekend in October at the location of the next annual conference and several days prior to the annual conference. The work of the Board is conducted the rest of the year through scheduled monthly e-meetings and synchronous conference calls, and other asynchronous communication as needed.
Descriptions of the roles and responsibilities of each office can be found in the HAPS Governance Documents available on the HAPS website. Below is a short synopsis of each office that will be filled in the 2016 election:
President-Elect:
Election to this office actually involves a three-year commitment, one year each as President-Elect, then President, and finally Past-President. This provides a year-long training period assisting the President to ensure a smooth transition to the presidency the following year. The President, in consultation with the Board, provides direction and guidance by establishing and managing the policies and affairs of the Society. Following the President’s term, they become Past-President to provide leadership continuity and help assure strong future officer succession.
Treasurer:
The Treasurer is the chief fiscal officer of the Society, one of the official signing officers, and serves on the Executive Committee. The Treasurer oversees all financial transactions, keeps financial records and prepares the annual budget in consultation with the Board of Directors and Steering Committee. The Treasurer’s term of office is for two (2) years, but there is no limit to consecutive terms.
Regional Directors (Eastern & Western Regions – see website for boundaries):
Although each Regional Director serves as a representative of one of the four HAPS regions to ensure diverse geographical representation on the Board of Directors, they are elected by the entire membership. They act as a liaison between the region’s constituency and the Board and promote increased involvement of the region’s membership in the activities of the Society, including regional conferences. Each Regional Director’s term of office is for two (2) years. Regional Directors may not serve more than two (2) consecutive terms.
Another incident of a new member’s taking the “bull by the horn” and moving forward is Karen LeFleur’s action. Having never attending a HAPS conference, she decided to host the 1991 conference in Greenville SC after not being able to attend Gary’s conference in Madison. It was the start of her extensive involvement in HAPS.