The Apra Board of Directors is the legally recognized governing body for the association, responsible for upholding the association's bylaws and ensuring sound financial and administrative management. Apra board members foster cooperative relationships, develop and implement strategic plans and initiatives, promote the profession, and encourage the professional development of Apra members.
Agreeing to serve on the Apra Board of Directors is the highest level of volunteer service for the organization, which requires a commitment to obedience, loyalty and care and a high degree of professionalism. Board members must possess an ability to focus on strategic issues and outcomes. Serving in such a leadership role is a personally and professionally rewarding opportunity, allowing individuals to give back to the profession, share their experience and expertise and help chart the organization's future.
Competencies
Successful board members possess the following qualities:
- Strategic Thinking — Thought leaders who are focused on high-level, long-range, strategic issues
- Proven Performers — Demonstrate knowledge through contribution to the industry
- Commitment — Serving Apra is an honor and a reward, but it also requires a commitment of time and dedication to the association’s mission and goals
- Collaboration — Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills are essential in board service, including listening, analyzing and assessing situations and acting responsibly as a unified, collegial board member
- Sound Judgment and Integrity — Exercise powers in the organization's interest, maintaining a high degree of confidentiality and free from conflicts of interest
General Qualifications
According to the Apra bylaws (Article VI, Section D), candidates for the Board of Directors must:
- Be a voting Professional Apra member in good standing. A member in good standing is one whose dues are paid and who has agreed to uphold the bylaws, ethics statement and goals of Apra
- Have been an Apra member in good standing for the 12‑month period preceding the nomination
- Have worked at least three years in fundraising research, analytics and/or relationship management
Responsibilities
- Board members will know and promote an understanding of Apra's vision, mission and strategic plan
- Board members will maintain the organization on a sound fiscal basis and exercise a strong sense of fiduciary responsibility on behalf of the organization
- Board members avoid participating in discussions and votes when a personal conflict of interest arises
- Board members will represent Apra and the profession in a positive and informative manner
- Board members will lead/participate in strategic planning and budgeting
- Board members will attend all board meetings and the annual conference, prepare for meetings adequately, participate in discussions thoughtfully and responsibly and support the majority decision on issues the Board decides
- Board members will support the efforts of all directors and committee chairs by thoughtfully reviewing and providing feedback on materials presented for input
Time Commitment
- Directors on the Apra Board serve a three-year term
- Board participation requires time to prepare for, travel to and attend meetings
- The Apra Board may meet in person up to three times a year, typically in February in Chicago, in July or August at Prospect Development and in November at a to-be-determined location; also, conference calls are scheduled 3-4 times annually
- Directors will have assignments as committee members, board liaisons, and task force members throughout the year
- Frequent communications with Apra members, board members and staff
- Board Members will be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary travel expenses by the association, including hotel room and tax, ground transportation, meals and coach air travel or mileage reimbursement to/from the Board meetings
- Apra pays the annual conference registration fee