ISPA ELECTION, BOARD AND MEETING FACTS

If you have the experience and desire to assist in 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 platform and experience.  Some of the potential interview questions are:

• What is your motivation to be on the ISPA Board of Directors?
• What do you feel will be the greatest challenge in the spa industry over the next three years, and what do you feel ISPA should do to meet these challenges? 
• What do you feel are the three most critical services ISPA should provide its members?
• Are there any reasons that any ISPA member might oppose your nomination?
• Various questions relative to your professional skills and background.

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 members are eligible to vote on issues of the Association, such as the Board of Director elections.

In August, ISPA will send 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.

All board elect members will officially take office following the annual general meeting which takes place during the ISPA annual 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 3-5 hours a month on ISPA business if they are not serving as a board liaison to a committee/task force and it is not a month the Board is meeting face to face.   Time is typically spent on monthly Board update calls and reviewing association and Board materials.  

If a Board member accepts a seat as a Board Liaison to a task force, the hours devoted to the association can increase to 5-7 hours a month.  In addition to the activities mentioned above, time is also spent on a monthly task force calls, 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 and additional time is 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 Board meeting will be held during the ISPA annual Conference & Expo.  Typically this 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.

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 Director.