Member and Leadership Opportunities

EMBER AND LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES 
FOR ASID TEXAS GULF COAST CHAPTER
BY PEGGY HULL, ASID
President

As President of ASID Texas Gulf Coast Chapter I am often asked about the path I took to reach this position.  All of the past presidents will say the same; that the path began long ago by joining a committee, moving to committee chair, volunteering on Hospitality or Programs or Community Involvement.  The bottom line is that each current board member has shown a commitment to your professional organization.  Many of our members are not at a point of their life to give the time that it takes for this type of commitment.  For those members we hope that you contribute in other ways:
  • through personal testimony with the public regarding the value of ASID
  • through monetary sponsorships and support
  • by attending CEU offerings and chapter sponsored programs 
  • By joining one of the several committees that does not require a large block of time.
Our organization currently runs on the 80/20 rule.  Twenty percent of the members do eighty percent of the work.  We have been attempting to change that during the past few leadership terms by including students on every committee, hosting intensive new membership orientations, reaching out to members who are locked in their closets or hiding under the bed!  We also strive to offer something for everyone which is difficult when you look at the diversity of our membership.  We have the hope and future of our students, the goal oriented businesses of the Industry Partners, and several levels of practitioners who are representing commercial, hospitality, residential, medical and retail design practices.  We look to our members for input and encourage suggestions on how we can continue to build and improve on our chapter.
In this issue of the Angle, you will find a ballot for the slate of candidates for the 2009-2010 open positions on the board.  Please cast your ballot.  

ASID chapter boards consist of two officer positions:
  • President:  non-voting, except to break ties, one year term (must be a professional member)
  • President-elect:  voting, one year term (must be a professional member)
And five voting director positions to be filled by professional, allied or Industry Partner members (all two year terms)
  • Communications Director
  • Financial Director
  • Professional Development Director
  • Membership Director
  • At-Large Board Member
Our chapter has a Student Representative to the Board (SRB) which is a one-year term, voting member, selected by the seated board during dates that coincide with chapter board elections. 

Per the ASID bylaws, the chapter board must have at least one and may have more than one, Industry Partner Member.  
Each year the slate of nominated candidates is compiled by a Chapter Nominating Committee that is chaired by the past –president.  

Chapter Nominating Committee Composition:
  • The chapter’s immediate past president will serve as non-voting chair to facilitate meetings and break ties
  • Four members to be selected by the presently seated chapter board
  • Three of these members must have served on the chapter board within the past 10 years
  • One is to be an at-large chapter member
 
Chapter Nominating Committee Functions:
  • Develops slate of candidates
  • Determines eligibility of candidates to run and chapter members to vote
  • Posts slate publically
  • Creates mailing labels using the ASID addresses and mails ballots
  • Neutral party tabulates ballots
  • Announces Results
The strength of our professional organization depends on each member’s commitment.  For those of you who have the leadership skills and talent (and there are many of you out there), I urge you to get involved.  For those of you who have given thousands of hours or even a few hours of your time I commend you.  For those of you who support our events with sponsorships, I give my loyalty to your business when opportunity is there.  If you are a designer who has won an ASID Award and been published then you have benefited by hours of donated time that it takes to put on an Awards Competition and Gala.  If you are an Industry Partner who has received thousands of dollars in purchases from a loyal designer, then you have more than benefited from your sponsorship.  If you are a student who learns the ropes and connects with future employers, then you have benefited from ASID nurturing.

I urge each of you to evaluate your commitment to the chapter and if you have been hiding in a closet somewhere, poke your head out and contribute.  Let’s move away from the 80/20 Rule at the Texas Gulf Coast Chapter.  Let’s recognize that there are strengths in numbers.  We will all benefit.