The SMPS National Board is composed of seven officers and directors serving staggered two-year terms; each year three Board seats are up for election. In 2005, the open positions on the board are President-Elect, Secretary-Treasurer, and Chapter Delegate.

The election process is conducted annually by the Nominating Committee, chaired by the President-Elect. The Nominating Committee represents a cross-section of the membership and the A/E/C community, reflecting a diversity of geography, chapter sizes, and company service types. The committee members are approved by the National Board of Directors, and their identities are kept confidential to avoid undue influence.

The Nominating Committee’s charge is to identify potential candidates, to evaluate nominees based on their applications, and to select from among the nominations received the most qualified candidate for each open position, resulting in a slate. In keeping with the bylaws, the Nominating Committee’s slate then is presented to the National Secretary-Treasurer who declares the new officers elected by acclamation, and an announcement of the new officers is made to the membership.

The membership is not called upon to vote in a formal election unless an un-slated nominee submits a petition of 300 members’ signatures (not more than 50 signatures originating from any one chapter). In that situation, the membership votes for the slated candidate or the petitioning candidate. The candidate receiving the majority of the votes is elected.

In February the Call for Nominations is distributed to the membership by the National Office. Interested candidates are asked to file an application. Due on April 15, these applications allow the committee to evaluate experience, commitment, and leadership in determining the best candidate for each office.

Each director’s responsibilities are detailed in the Call for Nominations, as are the qualifications for holding these national offices. In general, a candidate must have been a member of SMPS for a minimum of five years, and previous experience as a chapter leader is a requirement.

Serving as a national officer requires a significant, although manageable, time commitment, but the return on this investment of time is most rewarding. Current Board members estimate they devote 7 to 10% of their weekly hours to the business of SMPS.

Our role as a National Board is to set strategic direction, set policy, and support the work of the National Staff under CEO Ron Worth’s day-to-day leadership. The National Board has strategic responsibility whereas the National Staff has implementation responsibility. This division of work makes for a continuum of progress that transcends the annual change in leadership on the National Board.

Over my six years of board involvement, I’ve often been asked by members if they should run for office. I always answer “yes” and here’s why: National involvement gives you the chance to broaden your leadership abilities in service to an organization that represents your interests. Very often what is done in SMPS eclipses the influence that marketers have in their firms, which can be a great source of professional satisfaction. And by working with SMPS on the national level, you can improve the value proposition of marketing in professional services to benefit your firm and career.

Another benefit of national service is a chance to put into action your own desires for SMPS. The certification program was originally championed by a few key board members who felt the need for a more formal recognition of their professional skills. Our strategic alliances with peer organizations were created not only to help strengthen our reputation in the industry but also to facilitate local programming cooperation between these groups and our chapters. Past board members were frustrated with these issues as chapter members, and by serving in a national capacity, they had a chance to introduce solutions.

The firms you represent also benefit in ways large and small. For those regional firms that want a more national presence, service on the board can provide exposure to a larger audience. The network of SMPS grows at an even faster pace when board members are exposed to chapters and contacts throughout the country in their volunteer work. Also, the training and leadership skills put to use as a board member are valuable in your everyday work. And lastly, the chance to make a difference in SMPS can create a rejuvenation of sorts in this career path. Public speaking, service to the chapters, committee involvement, deep friendships, and meaningful work all make national service to SMPS very worthwhile.

To those who already have served their chapters well, I encourage you to consider running for national office. Any current Board members or I will be happy to answer your questions about this commitment and tell you what this involvement has meant to us, personally and professionally. SMPS is only as strong as our membership, so I encourage you to ask yourself, “why not me?” and run for national office this spring.