The American Society of Interior Designers Board of Directors voted to approve a first reading of bylaws changes that would modify chapter governance structure beginning in October 2005. The proposed changes would create smaller, more manageable chapter boards to reduce the amount of time spent on governance and administration, as well as to increase leadership and volunteer opportunities. Other highlights of the proposed changes include greater chapter support from ASID headquarters staff, improved volunteer training for members of chapter boards, and enhanced chapter tools
and resources.
Under the new model, all ASID chapters will have a seven-member board of directors, consisting of a president and president-elect; directors with responsibility for communications, membership, financial oversight, and professional development and programs; and an at-large member who could serve in various capacities depending on individual chapter need (for example, as a director for legislation or Industry Partners). These directors, in turn, oversee committees or individual volunteers to carry out the work of the chapter. All directors would have a position that directly corresponds to a department at ASID headquarters - “like two pieces of a puzzle coming together to the benefit of the Society at all levels,” says Tim Diffley, Associate Director of Chapter Services for the American Society of Interior Designers.
According to the new model, the student representative to a chapter board will no longer be a voting member of the board but would continue to participate at board meetings. The immediate past president would no longer serve on the board but will be chair of the chapter’s nominating committee. The president and president-elect must be professional members, but other board members may be any member in good standing—professional, allied or Industry Partner—increasing the chapters’ leadership pool.
The new model is the product of a team appointed in 2003 to review and develop an action plan based on the recommendations of several task forces that examined issues related to member service delivery, member involvement in chapters, volunteerism, governance and support for chapters. Members of the task force presented the proposed model to incoming chapter officers during the July 2004 ASID Chapter Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. Leaders had an opportunity to ask questions and offer suggestions on the model, which were shared with Board members prior to their vote.
The 2005 ASID Board of Directors will conduct a second reading and vote on the bylaws changes during its meeting in October 2004, at which time any additional policy changes will be submitted for a vote. Members who wish to comment on the proposed changes should contact Tim Diffley, Associate Director of Chapter Services by e-mail to tdiffley@asid.org, by phone 202/ 546-3480 or by fax 202/ 546-3240.
ASID CT’s Nominating Committee (Linda Scinto, Alice Burnham, Julianne Stirling, Alex Lanuk, Kim Plavcan) look forward to instituting these changes for the next election slate. Election format changes include a single slate process, a chapter board appointed Nominating Committee for future elections, and a little bit of overlap as the transition occurs.
In essence, the Chapter will be slating an entire board for next year comprised of second-year positions and new directors to fill the various assigned positions. Connecticut is fortunate to already have a compact board so these changes will have minimum impact on how the board functions and transitions to the new structure.