Become a Board Member

Candidates for election to the Board of Directors should possess qualifications that will enable them to make a significant contribution to the Board in its responsibility to direct the affairs of the League. A paid, professional staff, under the leadership of the Executive Director, conducts the daily business of the League. The Board’s mission is to provide oversight and direction to the Executive Director; individual Directors are expected to provide advice and counsel to the Executive Director in their respective areas of professional competence.

In recruiting and selecting candidates for election to the Board, the Nominating Committee should evaluate the each candidate’s qualifications in the following areas:

1. Commitment to cycling -- as sport, recreation, fitness, or transportation -- and knowledge of bicyclists’ concerns.
2. Prior involvement in bicycling-related organizations.
3. Participation in League activities and programs.
4. History of volunteer service to non-profit organizations, and familiarity with the issues of governance of non-profits (legal issues, board operations, etc.), preferably through service as an Officer/Director/Trustee.
5. Professional level skills in a field of use to the Board and the League, such as (but not limited to): business management; fundraising; marketing; communications; finance; Human Resources; law.
6. Of “good moral character” – someone whose presence on the Board would not result in any embarrassment to the League.
7. An ability to bring other substantial resources to the League, such as influential connections with potential donors, business or political leaders.

Each candidate placed on the election ballot by the Nominating Committee should have:

• some level of qualification in each of these areas
• a high level of qualification in at least two or three areas
• high qualification in at least one of items 4 and 5

The ultimate decision about any candidate’s qualifications for election will be made by the Members. The Nominating Committee should exercise judgment in evaluating which potential candidate(s) should be place on the ballot, for consideration by the Members.

The following paragraphs discuss the areas of qualification in more detail

1. Commitment to cycling -- as sport, recreation, fitness, or transportation -- and knowledge of bicyclists’ concerns.
   It should go without saying that the Board of Directors of a cycling organization should be composed of cyclists. A “high” level of qualification in this area could reasonably be presumed in the case of, for example, a professional racer, or an LCI. Otherwise, the Committee will need to exercise judgment in considering such factors as the frequency, duration or nature of rides. Ordinarily, Board candidates should be active cyclists, but a retirement from active cycling due to age or disability should not disqualify a candidate.
2. Prior involvement in bicycling-related organizations.
   What is sought here is more than just membership in local cycling clubs (although club memberships would be relevant to the first criterion, discussed above). The desired qualifications lean toward substantial volunteer service, and/or assuming leadership positions.
   
3. Participation in League activities and programs.
   Again, mere membership in the League, while necessary, is not sufficient to merit a “high” level of qualification. Additional factors to be considered include: length of membership; attendance at League-sponsored Rallies and other events; completion of League-sanctioned training; service on a Committee.
4. History of volunteer service to non-profit organizations, preferably in a governance capacity – as an Officer/Director/Trustee.
   A “high” level of qualification would entail service with an organization at least approaching the same order of magnitude as the League – national in scope, professional staff, budget in the millions. Not all volunteer activities are equal – e.g., helping at he PTA bake sale probably doesn't have much relevance.
5. Professional level skills in a field of use to the Board and the League, such as (but not limited to): business management; fundraising; marketing; communications; finance; human resources; law.
   As the Board’s role is not to actually do the work, but to oversee and direct the Executive Director, professional skills are especially important. Not all professions are relevant to the League’s work (consider: astronaut; brain surgeon; hockey player; musician).
6. Of “good moral character” – someone whose presence on the Board would not result in any embarrassment to the League.
7. An ability to bring other substantial resources to the League, such as influential connections with potential donors, business or political leaders.
   This last criterion can only work in a positive direction – its absence should not be a disqualifier. But a candidate who scores high on this factor can overcome deficiencies on others. Inclusion of a candidate (who might otherwise not be highly qualified) on the basis of this factor should be a very rare circumstance.

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