Dear Prospective NAAFA Board Member:
Thanks very much for your interest in becoming a Board member!
NAAFA relies on the vitality and concern of members like you. Board membership is an excellent way to bring your talents and skills to the fight against size discrimination and the effort to improve the quality of life for fat people.
Here's what you need to do to apply:
- Read and commit to fulfilling the NAAFA Board Member Description of Responsibilities.
- Read and sign the NAAFA Code of Ethics.
- Fill out the candidate submittal form.
- Send a detailed E-mail to naafa@naafa.org explaining your interest in serving on the board, your experience with size acceptance, your qualifications, your areas of special interest and how you believe you can best serve NAAFA.
- NAAFAs Board of Directors meets on-line in a Yahoo chat conference. You must be available to attend a monthly Sunday evening meeting and additional meetings as needed.
- You will be asked to join the Board for an on-line interview. You will be notified by e-mail of their decision.
- If your application is accepted, you will be sworn in at the following meeting.
Thanks again for your commitment to NAAFA and to the size acceptance movement. We look forward to seeing you at the next meeting.
Sincerely,
The NAAFA Board of Directors
NAAFA BOARD MEMBER DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
A board member's primary responsibility is to ascertain that NAAFA's mission of fighting size discrimination and improving the quality of life for fat people is effectively an responsibly carried out. A board member must provide guidance to the organization through short- and long-range planning, the preparation and implementation of policies, provision of contacts with allies and supporters, raising of funds, reaction to staff proposals, and frequent evaluations of the progress of the organization in achieving its mission;
SPECIFIC DUTIES:
Financial Management
To review and approve NAAFA's annual budget, to monitor ongoing budget expenses and revenue throughout the year
To assure fiscal responsibility through analysis and approval of financial reports, overseeing investments, and ensuring legal compliance
Financial Development
To actively engage in fundraising for NAAFA through individual, foundation, and corporate solicitations, or other means of fundraising
To give what represents for the individual board member a substantial donation to NAAFA, and to acknowledge that 100% board commitment to giving is an important component of NAAFA's resource development program
Public Relations
To serve as an informed spokesperson for NAAFA as required, and to publicly conduct oneself in a professional manner which will bring credit to NAAFA
Board Affairs
To come prepared to attend and actively participate in all officially designated board activities, including the quarterly Directors' meeting, policy making sessions, leadership enhancement seminars, and workshops for board members during a board weekend, regional gathering, or national convention. You will be counted as present after three hours in attendance at a board of directors meeting, and constitutionally are allowed three absences within a 24-month period, no more than two of which can be in succession, from board of directors meetings.
Planning and Program
To conceive, develop, discuss, review, and implement internal and external policies regarding all aspects of NAAFA's mission, and to review the ongoing effectiveness of such policies periodically
To be fully informed and up-to-date on NAAFA's organizational, political, programmatic, administrative, and planning activities and policies, and to critically review them for efficiency and appropriateness
To develop and monitor strategic plans in order to achieve NAAFA's mission
Human Resources
To appoint, monitor, and support the executive director without interfering with day-to-day administration
QUALIFICATIONS
- To be a member in good standing of NAAFA, Inc.
- To be at least 21 years of age at the time of board membership
- To be a member of NAAFA for at least one year as of the January of the year when board membership begins
- To have a clear understanding of the issues of the size acceptance movement in general, and NAAFA, in particular
- To be loyal and dedicated to the mission of NAAFA rather than to special interests or other constituent groups
- To be able to work cooperatively and productively with others
- To be able to communicate on-line
- To bring qualities, talents, or connections to the board
- To be able to clearly and logically present, or react to, proposals
EXPECTED PERFORMANCE
- To attend all sessions at a scheduled board event, and to attend the annual NAAFA convention regardless of where it is held
- To arrive at board meetings with a thorough understanding of the materials distributed
- To be willing and available to assist in areas of special experience, connections, or expertise
- To read all Newsletters upon receipt, and to keep abreast of issues in the size acceptance movement
- To have a good understanding of parliamentary procedure and abide by it during meetings
- To vote independently of any special interest or other NAAFA positions held
- To abide by the will of the majority as determined constitutionally, to keep disagreements impersonal, and to promote unity
- To fully investigate any proposal brought to the board on behalf of third parties
- To display unbiased, independent, resourceful thinking in all board actions
- To maintain an appropriate level of confidentiality regarding sensitive issues or issues discussed in executive session
BENEFITS/REIMBURSEMENTS
The satisfaction of being able to actively participate in fighting size discrimination through personal dedication and leadership. Free or reduced cost attendance at events which have board activities scheduled if in effect (contact office for specifics). Initial board orientation, and opportunities to attend facilitated training sessions on a variety of topics.
NAAFA BOARD MEMBER CODE OF ETHICS
As a member of the Board I will:
- Support and work to fulfill the mission of the organization.
- Listen carefully to my fellow Board members, and the membership of NAAFA.
- Respect the opinions of my fellow Board members.
- Respect and support the majority decisions of the Board.
- Recognize that all authority is vested in the Board when it meets in legal session and not in individual Board members.
- Keep well-informed of developments that are relevant to issues that may come before the Board.
- Participate actively in Board meetings and actions.
- Call to the attention of the Board any issues I believe will have an adverse effect on NAAFA, its mission, or our members.
- Attempt to interpret the needs of the members to NAAFA and the actions of NAAFA to its members.
- Refer membership or staff complaints to the proper level on the chain of command.
- Recognize that the Board member's job is to ensure that NAAFA is well managed, not to manage NAAFA.
- In pursuit of fulfilling the mission on NAAFA, represent all members of NAAFA and not a particular geographic area or special interest group.
- Consider myself a "trustee" of NAAFA and do my best to ensure that NAAFA is well maintained, financially secure, growing, and always operating with the best interests of its mission and its members.
- Always work to learn more about the Board member's job and how to do the job better.
- Adhere the the Board's policy on conflicts of interest between my personal life and my position on the NAAFA Board and avoid voting on issues that appear to be a conflict of interest.
As a member of the Board I will not:
Be critical, in or outside of Board meetings, of fellow Board members or their opinions.
- Use NAAFA or any part of the organization for my personal advantage or the personal advantage of my friends or relatives.
- Discuss the confidential proceedings of the Board outside Board meetings.
- Promise prior to meetings how I will vote on any issue in the meetings.
- Interfere with the duties of the Executive Director or undermine the Executive Director's authority.
NAAFA BOARD MEMBERS CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY
NAAFA requires its leaders to adhere to the following three guidelines:
- Full disclosure: Board members and staff members in decision-making roles should make known their connections with groups doing business with the organization. This information should be provided annually.
- Board member abstention from voting: Board members who have an actual or potential conflict of interest should not participate in voting on matters affecting transactions between the organization and the other group.
- Staff member abstention from decision-making: Staff members who have an actual or potential conflict should not be substantively involved in decision-making affecting such transactions.