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C-FAR Board of Directors: Responsibilities and
Opportunities
The C-FAR Board of Directors is comprised of seven members elected at-large by the C-FAR membership (specifically by the voting delegates of Organizational members). Members of the board serve a varied set of responsibilities and are afforded a number of opportunities. Members of the board are elected on an individual basis to serve all of the organization’s members and interests. C-FAR board members are not elected as a representative of their respective association/organization, nor should they serve with such an intention.
Overview
- Board members are elected to two-year terms by the membership, and may serve three consecutive two-year terms if so re-elected.
- Board officers are chair, vice chair, and secretary-treasurer. Additional leadership opportunities for members of the board may include: legislative chair, research committee chair and vice chair, membership chair, and other potential committee and/or special assignments.
- Officers are elected by the members of the board. Committee chairs and members are appointed by the chairman of the board with concurrence of the board. Officers and committee chairs and members are elected/appointed to one-year terms.
General Responsibilities - High
Priority
- Attendance at approximately five (5) board meetings each year, which are currently being held during January, late February/early March, July, September, and November. While most of these meetings are held in Champaign-Urbana, board meetings are also, on occasion, held at other locations including SIU in Carbondale, ISU in Normal, and WIU in Macomb. They are most always one-day meetings.
- Attendance at the C-FAR Annual Meeting (February) and the Semi-Annual Meeting (August), if held.
- Participation in conference calls of the board. These are held on an as-needed basis and there have typically been two per year.
- Responding to various communications provided by email, fax, or U.S. Mail.
- Supporting the executive administrator and assess his/her performance on an annual basis.
- Serving as financial stewards of the overall state appropriation and dues-based accounts.
Other Responsibilities
- Attendance is invited and encouraged at related membership events such as All-Working Group meetings and C-FAR Days.
- Attendance is invited and encouraged at events in which C-FAR is engaged. Such current events include the Illinois Agricultural Legislative Roundtable (January and June), Ag Day at the Illinois State Fair (August), legislative hearings and receptions, etc.
- Having a thorough knowledge of C-FAR, including characteristics of the association and its research programs.
- In general, the board’s priorities focus on maintaining sound policies, a variety of professional partnerships and engagements, an adequate state appropriation for research, and guiding, as appropriate, membership-related activities.
Opportunities
- Leadership opportunities on the board span a wide gamut of activities allowing a board member to serve in an area of special interest.
- The nature of C-FAR provides its board members the opportunity to interact with a highly diverse coalition of stakeholder leaders.
- Legislative-related engagements allow board members to interact with a myriad of State of Illinois elected and appointed officials.
- C-FAR board members regularly meet with the presidents, chancellors, and other university administrators from each of the four C-FAR university partners.
- With C-FAR’s vibrant committee structure and working groups, board members are afforded the opportunity to provide thoughtful consideration to policy decisions to help guide C-FAR programs and related activities.
Support
- Board members’ service is fully supported, to the extent appropriate, by a dedicated staff.
- Appropriate insurance is in place, including general liability and directors’ and officers’ liability.
Expense Reimbursement
- While board members serve in a volunteer capacity, reimbursement for mileage and other necessary expenses incurred while serving as a member of the board is available.
Closing
Based on responses from past and current board members, service on this board presents a unique opportunity. While board members are expected to bring their respective professional expertise to board discussions, they are not expected to possess research expertise. There is a highly vibrant degree of learning from one another, a sense of common purpose, and a dedication to serving the organization as a whole.
Past and current members of the board have unequivocally expressed their great satisfaction and gratitude for having the opportunity to serve on such a unique board. Their service and the service of future boards of directors will enable C-FAR to continue being a critical and important organization in Illinois. And through their efforts, C-FAR members are afforded a meaningful role and voice in the direction of food and agricultural research in Illinois.
November 2009
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