ETC Volunteer Opportunities: Frequently Asked Questions

Below you will find FAQ’s specific to three possible areas of volunteerism within ETC: the Board of Directors, committees, and task forces. However, there are opportunities to be involved and contribute with ETC in many other ways, through participation in the annual conference, connecting as a mentor or collaborator with other ETC members, or just answering a post on the listserv.

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Board of Directors FAQ:

What are the overall duties of the Board of Directors?

  • Oversight of committees and task forces
  • Develop and execute strategic plan initiatives
  • Fiscal oversight, in conjunction with the Treasurer and Finance Committee
  • Support the President in identifying ETC members to serve on various committee and task forces
  • Make recommendations to the membership
  • Work with the Executive Office to execute all association initiatives
  • Specific duties as outlined in Section 5 of Article II and Article III or the bylaws for all ETC officers and directors

What are the different positions on the Board, how long are the terms, and what are the specific responsibilities of the positions?

Position

Term Length

Specific Responsibilities

President-Elect

3 years total

(President-elect is elected for a one-year term, but then serves a second year as President, and a third year as Immediate Past President.)

President-Elect: (1) assume the duties of the President in the absence of the President, and (2) chair the Program Committee.

President: (1) preside at all meetings of ETC, (2) function as the chief administrative officer of ETC, (3) appoint all committees and their chairs as specified within these Bylaws, and (4) be an ex-officio member of all committees except the Election Committee.

Immediate Past President: (1) advise the Board of Directors, (2) assist the President at the latter's request, and (3) chair the Awards Committee, Election Committee, and Executive Office Management Committee.

Treasurer

2 years

Treasurer: (1) chair the Finance Committee, (2) account for, and report about the funds of ETC, (3) coordinate and monitor the activities provided for in the budget, (4) be an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Program Committee, and (5) be an ex-officio member of the Executive Office Management Committee.

Secretary

2 years

Secretary:  Working with the Executive Office, shall: (1) keep and publish accurate minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors and the general membership, and (2) work with the board and committee chairs to produce an Annual Report.

Institutional Directors (4 total)

2 years

Institutional Director: (1) accept special assignments and Board of Directors' projects and (2) chair committees as requested by the President or the Board of Directors.

Corporate Directors (2 total)

2 years

Corporate Director: (1) accept special assignments and Board of Directors' projects and (2) chair committees as requested by the President or the Board of Directors.

 

What qualifications do I need to serve on the Board?
Board members must be a ETC member, in good standing. There are no other qualifications, beyond a desire to be involved in the organization and be willing to dedicate time and energy into the volunteer position, if elected.

What is the election process?  Will I need to campaign?
The call for nominations for open board positions usually opens up in early Fall. Any member may nominate another member that they feel would be a good candidate.  Interest in running is confirmed with the nominated candidate before they are officially added to the election slate. In addition, any member that is interested in running for a position can nominate themselves. Nominations or general election questions can be submitted to [email protected].

Once nominations are confirmed/accepted, nominees will be asked to provide a brief Statement of Interest, a bio, preferred contact information for questions and a headshot (optional). All provided information will be posted on the ETC election site for each candidate and shared via the listserv. Campaigning can be done via the listserv should the candidate wish to. Campaigning should be limited to no more than one listserv posting per week and candidates are encouraged to respond to individual questions directly over email/social media/etc.

Open election positions are promoted to the membership at the annual conference and through email announcements throughout the Fall. The official slate of candidates is finalized in mid-November and put out to the membership for voting no later than December 1st. Voting is conducted through an election software application (currently Election Buddy) supplied by the Executive Office. Winners are announced to the membership in mid-December.

When do the terms begin for the position?
All Board position terms begin in July, unless there is an unplanned vacancy on the Board that requires a mid-year appointment.

I’ve never attended a ETC conference. Can I still run for the Board?
Absolutely, as long as you are a member of the organization and are willing to perform the duties of the volunteer position.

What is the time commitment to serve on the Board?
The time commitment may vary by position. Contact [email protected] for more information.

How and when are monthly meetings scheduled?
The Board of Directors holds regular monthly meetings that are approximately an hour and 15 minutes in length, over Zoom. The monthly meeting schedule for each year is generally provided in July, for planning purposes. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the President.

How long would I be away for the in-person meetings?
The Board holds 3 extended or in-person meetings throughout the year (typically March, July, and October) in different cities, for which travel is expected. The spring and summer in-person Board meetings generally require up to 3 days away. The October in-person meeting is generally scheduled in conjunction with (either directly before or directly after) the Annual Conference, requiring an additional 1-2 days away.  The President determines the location of the meeting and will provide as much advance notice as possible.

Will I be financially responsible for travel to in-person Board meetings?
In general, travel costs to in-person board meetings will be reimbursed.  Meals and lodging are also covered by ETC. 

How many terms can I serve in a Board position?
One can serve two consecutive terms in the same office.

What types of projects might I be involved in with the Board? 
Board members may be offered opportunities to be involved in projects that are more strategic in nature, for example, researching a new training program or evaluating the bylaws. 


 

Committee Participation FAQ:

What committees are available to volunteer for with ETC?
A list of ETC committees, with specific information, can be found here.

What qualifications do I need to serve on a ETC committee?
Committee chairs and members must be a ETC member, in good standing. There are no other qualifications, beyond a desire to be involved in the organization and be willing to dedicate time and energy into the volunteer position.

What is the process to volunteer/be appointed to a committee?
ETC members either volunteer or are nominated to serve on a committee. To volunteer or inquire about volunteering for a committee, you can email [email protected]. Once a member agrees to serve on a committee, the ETC President needs to formally appoint them.

What is the usual time commitment to serve on a committee?
While the time commitment may change from committee to committee, generally one should expect to commit approximately 2-3 hours/month to committee work.

How long will the “term” of a committee appointment be?
Generally, committee members are asked to consider committing to a 2-year term. If you are interested in volunteering for a committee, you can email [email protected] for details on the term of the appointment. 

Can I serve on more than one committee?
Yes, members can serve on more than one committee. There is no minimum or maximum amount.

How and when are committee meetings scheduled?
Committee meetings are generally scheduled by the committee chair or the Executive Director, with input from committee members on their availability. 


 

Task Force FAQ:

What is a task force?  How and why are they created?
A task force is a temporary group that is authorized by the Board of Directors to work on a specific project or short-term tasks.

What qualifications do I need to serve on a task force?
Task force chairs and members must be a ETC member, in good standing. There are no other qualifications, beyond a desire to be involved in the organization and be willing to dedicate time and energy into the volunteer position.

What is the process to volunteer/be appointed to a task force?
ETC members either volunteer or are nominated to serve on a task force. To volunteer or inquire about volunteering for a task force, you can email [email protected]. Once a member agrees to serve, the ETC President needs to formally appoint them.

What is the usual “term” of a task force volunteer?
The term of a task force volunteer is generally limited by the time commitment needed to complete the project or tasks assigned to the task force. If you are interested in volunteering for a task force, you can email [email protected] for details on the term of the appointment. 

How and when are task force meetings scheduled?
Task force meetings are generally scheduled by the committee chair or the Executive Director, with input from committee members on their availability.