Trustee

BASIC FUNCTION

Members of the Board of Trustees of the National Association of College Stores shall, together with other members of the Board, be legally and ethically responsible for all activities of the association. The Board is solely responsible for determining policy, approving the annual budget, and determining the mission and goals of the association.

TERM

Three-year term.

DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND AUTHORITY

Within the limits of the Bylaws and official NACS policy, Trustees are responsible and have commensurate authority to accomplish the duties as follows:

1. Establish and/or continue the legal or corporate existence of the association ensuring that the association meets legal requirements for the conduct of Association business and affairs.
2. Adopt Bylaws, ensure that the association operates within them, and act on proposed revisions to them.
3. Approve policies, which determine the purposes, governing principles, functions and activities, and courses of action of the association.
4. Regularly evaluate and review the association’s operations and maintain standards of professionalism and excellence.
5. Supports and defends policies and programs adopted by the Board of Trustees to advance the principles articulated in the NACS vision, mission, and core values.
6. Monitor the activities of the Association, including: reviewing reports of appropriate committees; acting on proposals; reviewing and action on recommendations of committees, including the executive committee; and considering, debating, and deciding industry and association issues.
7. Understand, interpret, and promote the work of the Association to its various publics, including members, campus administrators, legislators, and others.
8. Support and defend policies and programs adopted by the Board of Trustees.
9. Select, employ, and evaluate the Chief Executive Officer.
10. Recruit and develop volunteers for association service such as committee members, faculty, trustees, etc.
11. Approve and monitor the corporate finances of the Association, ensuring that there are sufficient funds available to meet the Association’s objectives.
12. Approve the selection of an auditor, and authorize and approve an annual audit.
13. Review all relevant material prior to board meetings and attend board meetings prepared to make contributions and voice objective opinions concerning matters before the board.
14. Carry out any individual assignments that may be directed by the President.
15. Attends the new Board Orientation as necessary.

QUALIFICATIONS

Full-time employment and the official voting representative of an institutional member.

DESIRED CHARACTERISTICS

1. Track record of making things happen and achieving outcomes.
2. Actively seeks ways to better their operation through innovation and good management techniques, benchmarking, and customer feedback.
3. Willingness to share opinions, debate, listen to others’ point of view; conviction to state point of view even when unpopular.
4. Good financial understanding.
5. Technological savvy
6. Forward thinking with a global view; looks out for overall industry rather than own interests; values diversity.
7. Understanding of industry issues and challenges.
8. General knowledge of textbooks/course materials.
9. Has a support system in place so he/she can fully and actively participate as a member of the Board of Trustees.
10. Passion for the industry; hunger to serve NACS and the industry. Special interests for areas within the association such as education, benchmarking, campus relations, etc. an added plus.
11. Understanding of, or interest in learning, how governing boards operate, e.g., governance vs. management.
12. Previous board experience, e.g., leadership in other associations and/or campus organizations.
13. Skills for specific trustee positions such as Finance & Budget Committee and/or other specific needs on the NACS Board of Trustees. 

RELATIONSHIPS

Responsible to the membership for carrying out the duties and responsibilities authorized by the governing documents or as assigned by the President.

TIME COMMITMENT

1. Attendance at four NACS Board Meetings per year.
2. Participates in monthly Board conference calls.
3. Participation on at least one Board committee. May also include liaison to a NACS committee, task force, or work group, which may include participation in conference calls and meetings for the group(s).

revised: APRIL 2020