JOIN THE BOARD

ISPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPLICATION 

Are you willing to step forward as a leader in the spa industry and serve on the ISPA Board of Directors?  The ISPA Nominating Committee is seeking qualified and committed candidates to be considered for board service.  If you have a commitment to the association and to the industry and are willing to invest time and energy in helping to make a difference, please complete the following application and return it to ISPA headquarters by March 15, 2010. 

To apply for the ISPA Board of Directors, please click the ‘apply' button at the bottom of this page. If you have any questions, please contact ispa@ispastaff.com.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND COMMITMENTS

The primary responsibilities of the Board is to represent the membership and ensure their voice is heard, provide input on the strategic direction of the association, participate in committees/task forces and ensure the association is fiscally sound.

Responsibilities and Commitments

The primary responsibilities of the Board is to take a leadership role that represents the membership and ensures their voice is heard as well as to provide input on the strategic direction of the association, participate in committees/task forces and ensure the association is fiscally sound. Beyond these responsibilities a board member should not just be involved but be engaged.  Involvement such as reading board materials thoroughly, actively participating in board meetings and having tasks completed is essential but being engaged demands commitment, integrity and the ability to make nimble decisions.  Being engaged and going beyond the duties of board service is what makes our association strong and makes a difference in the lives of your professional industry peers.  

Listed below are a few important facts for applicants to be aware of; however, for more information, please review the ISPA Election, Board and Meeting Facts and the ISPA Bylaws.

• Director's responsibilities will require an average of two hours per week.  Additionally, responsibilities include five board meetings per year, potential committee/task force participation and reading all ISPA board communication (conference calls, memos, etc.).  Each board meeting will require you to be away from your business for about 2-4 days.
• Board meetings are generally held in conjunction with ISPA Knowledge Network & Marketplaces.
• ISPA Board of Directors serve a three-year term.  Directors may serve two consecutive terms, but then must take a one-year hiatus before being eligible for re-election.
• Directors who have been absent for two in-person board meetings, in one calendar year, will automatically vacate his or her seat on the Board of Directors.
• During official business, travel and miscellaneous expenses are each board member's responsibility. ISPA will pay for two nights lodging and provide a travel reimbursement of up to $250 for domestic/$500 for international transportation expenses.
• During your service on the board, you receive complimentary registration to the annual ISPA Conference & Expo and are expected to attend the entire conference and the board wrap-up meeting the last day of Conference.

ISPA ELECTION, BOARD AND MEETING FACTS

If you have the experience and desire to lead the future of ISPA and the spa industry, you are encouraged to apply for board service and share your expertise.  The time and energy you give supporting the association comes back to you in a multitude of ways.  You will meet and network with a new group of industry peers as you give and receive inspiration for the future of the spa industry.  Outlined below are some helpful facts that will give you more information on what is involved in applying for and serving on the ISPA Board of Directors.

ELECTION FACTS

Potential candidates may be asked to participate in an interview process regarding your experience and some of the potential interview questions will include your thoughts on industry direction, critical services for members, along with questions to learn more about your professional skills, background and motivation for board service.  According to the Bylaws, Article III - Membership, Section 3 - Associate Members, "3.2 Associate Members [Auxiliary, General and Honorary] shall not be entitled to vote on any matters coming before the meetings of The Corporation, nor shall they have any right or interest of any kind in the property or assets of The Corporation or to have their legislative interests represented by The Corporation."  What this means to you is that only primary and secondary members are eligible to vote on issues of the association, such as the Board of Director elections.

In July 2010, ISPA will submit a slate of candidates, election ballot and instructions to all voting ISPA members.  The ballot will include the final candidates' names, title and company names.  Members will be given the opportunity to vote for or against the entire slate, and will not vote for individual candidates.  A Slate of Candidates ballot will also include a photograph, biography and brief question and answer section on each final candidate in order for the membership to familiarize themselves with the candidates.  

All board elect members will be announced during the Annual General Meeting at the ISPA Conference and will officially take office following the Annual General Meeting which takes place during the annual ISPA Conference.

BOARD FACTS

All candidates are required to sign a fiduciary statement to ensure compliance with applicable laws and to protect the International SPA Association (ISPA) and its members, officers, directors and committee members from potential legal problems.  This statement is included in the application and must be signed by the candidate to submit the application.

Board members are elected for a three-year term.  The ISPA Bylaws state "Directors may serve two consecutive terms, but then must take a one year hiatus before being eligible for election again."

On average, board members should expect to spend an average of two hours a week on ISPA business which fluctuates with activities involving being a board liaison to a committee/task force. Time is typically spent on monthly board update calls and reviewing association and board materials.  

On the months where there is additional work for task forces, board members could devote an average of four hours a week.  In addition to the activities mentioned above, time is also spent on a monthly task force call, discussions with the task force chair(s) and review of task force materials.

Also, during the months of face-to-face board meetings (see "Meeting Facts" below) the time commitment does increase as the face-to-face meetings are over a period of two days with additional time required to review board materials prior to the actual meeting. 

MEETING FACTS

The ISPA Bylaws also state, "Any elected Director who shall have been absent for two regular meetings shall automatically vacate his or her seat on the Board of Directors."

If you are elected to serve on the ISPA Board of Directors, the first meeting will be held during the final day of the annual ISPA Conference & Expo to provide a walk-through of suggested improvements to the event.  As a member of the board, you receive complimentary registration to the annual ISPA Conference & Expo.  Typically the meeting is held during lunch of the final day of Conference.  The election of officers takes place during the last in-person meeting before Conference; therefore, officers will already be in place by this meeting.  Please note that if you are not able to attend the Board meeting at Conference, it does count as a missed meeting.

The Board of Directors meetings are tentatively held on Mondays and Tuesdays.  Meetings are tentatively scheduled for February, March, June, August and the annual Conference.  Board meetings are usually held in conjunction with ISPA Knowledge Network & Marketplaces.

ISPA covers the cost of two night's accommodations and a reimbursement of up to $250 for domestic travel and $500 for international travel per board member during board meetings.  All other expenses incurred are at the cost of the individual board member. 

APPLICATION/SELECTION PROCESS FOR NOMINEES

Each year, applications are accepted to fill outgoing positions on the ISPA Board of Directors.  Interested candidates should apply online by March 15, 2010. Candidates are screened for eligibility according to the association bylaws.  Any individual, who is a voting member in good standing, and is selected by the Nominating Committee for inclusion on the slate of candidates is then presented to the membership as part of a final ballot for approval.  Potential candidates may be asked to participate in an interview process regarding their experience as well as a personality profile questionnaire.  Applications are reviewed by the Nominating Committee based on numerous criteria including skill sets that are needed to maintain a well-balanced board.  After reviewing all application data and board skill sets, a select few will be invited to participate in an interview.  The Nominating Committee's board slate recommendation to the ISPA Board of Directors will be determined by all information gathered including interviews and skill sets necessary for a balanced board.