NAFA Seeks Candidates for Four Open Board Positions in 2018

As you likely know, last year NAFA amended its bylaws and changed not only who is qualified to be on the Board of Directors, but also the way in which we seek candidates for that Board. The new process is open to all Regular Members and Associate Members – fleet managers and fleet suppliers – in NAFA and there are no prerequisites, such as needing to have prior service on the NAFA Board.

Last year, we were thrilled when 33 individuals submitted their names to be considered for the three open Board seats. I am hoping we receive the same level of response for the four Board seats that will be open next year, so I am inviting you to consider running for a seat on the NAFA Board of Directors.

If you’ve always wanted to help shape the future of the fleet and mobility industry, now is your opportunity to make a difference! Please take a few moments now to review the general, broad characteristics of a good board member (see below), then complete a Candidate Consideration Form. NAFA’s Nominating Committee will be assessing candidates on these criteria, as well as on others, so please be sure to address how you can fill these needs when you complete your form.

• Strategic Thinking: the ability to come up with effective plans in line with an organization’s objectives within a particular situation
• Leadership Skills: the ability to inspire, communicate and delegate effectively, keeping in mind the organization’s mission and goals
• Consensus Building (or Collaborative Problem Solving): the ability to mediate a conflict that involves many parties, leading to a resolution that is acceptable to all parties involved
• Critical Thinking: the ability to conduct an objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgment
• Industry Experience: relevant fleet industry experience that will enable the person to offer opinions and guidance on topics of concern or inquiry
• Flexibility: the ability to demonstrate willingness to change or compromise for the good of the organization
• Communication Skills: the ability to convey information to people clearly and simply so that the message is understood, while at the same time being able to understand the audience the message is intended for
• Time Commitment: the ability to be involved in the organization with no barriers to such involvement
• Organizational Support: having the support of the entity worked for in being able to devote time to the Board of NAFA
• Passionate: having a love of the industry and the organization to want to help move both forward and in a positive manner

If you are elected to the NAFA Board of Directors, you will serve a three-year term. The Board meets in person at least three times a year (February, June, October) and sometimes has conference calls in between meetings. Each board meeting typically requires three days out of the office (Wednesday/Thursday/Friday). NAFA pays all expenses to attend the meetings (airfare, hotel, parking, ground transportation, and meals).

In addition to Board meetings and the responsibilities inherent in being a board member, most (if not all) board members are also assigned responsibility for a national committee or two. This requires the person to participate in those committee meetings (some of which may be in person, but the vast majority of which are done via conference calls), ensuring that the committee is doing the work the board wants done.

In total, the estimated time commitment for a Board member is approximately 12 days per year, including the in-person Board meetings.

Completed Candidate Consideration Forms must be submitted to NAFA by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday, October 30, 2017. You can fill out a form online by clicking here. Or, you can print out a form by clicking here.

Here are some other important notes about the election process:

1. Up to five of the 13 members of the Board of Directors may be Associate Members (suppliers). There are currently two Associate Members on the Board.
2. The Nominating Committee consists of three current Board members, the Immediate Past President of NAFA, and three individuals selected by the President with the Board’s consent. The Nominating Committee is charged with seeking candidates and selecting candidates for the four vacant seats on Board of Directors.
3. In addition to the Nominating Committee actively seeking candidates, eligible individuals have the ability to place their names before the Committee for consideration.
4. The Nominating Committee will present its recommended candidates for election by mid-November. Candidates not selected by the committee will have the ability to have their name placed on the ballot by following the Nomination by Petition process.
5. The election to the Board of Directors will take place in January 2018.
6. New Board members will take office in February 2018, at the Board of Directors meeting in Las Vegas, February 21-23.

There has never been a better time – and it has never been easier – to be an active player in NAFA. I encourage you to submit a Candidate Consideration Form.

Of course, if you have any questions about this process, please feel free to call or email me.

Sincerely,

Phil