Region 9 Officer Roles and Responsibilities

DIRECTOR

The OU (Organizational Unit) Director plays a critical role in helping the National Association for Interpretation achieve its vision, mission and goals by delivering exceptional member services and professional development. The Director is responsible for all section operations via its leadership team. S/he is accountable to NAI’s National Board via the Advisory Council. This director is instrumental in ensuring consistent and effective internal processes and communications in order to strengthen NAI’s nonprofit programs and position the organization for continued success.

Term

This volunteer position is elected for a three-year term by the section’s general membership.

Duties

• Create and implement strategic and operational plans for the OU’s continued growth and development.
• Ensure section activities and member services are aligned with NAI’s vision, mission and goals and incompliance with its bylaws, operation manuals and guidelines.
• Manage and develop direct reporting section of all officers and chairs.
• Manage and control section expenditure within agreed budgets by reviewing quarterly and year-end finance reports.
• Attend and lead the annual OU meeting, scheduled during the National Workshop.
• Attend Advisory Council meetings and represent the OU’s member interests.
• Maintain awareness and knowledge of Advisory Council policies/procedures and provide suitable interpretation to the OU leadership team and its general members.
• Monitor, measure and report on OU development plans, performance and achievements within agreed formats and timescales as defined by the Advisory Council. 

Time Obligations

Varies depending on the time of year, activities, and any additional roles or committees assumed. Estimated average time is 5 hours per week.

Minimum Qualifications

Must be a current NAI member in good standing.

Preferred Qualifications

• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a commitment to NAI’s vision, mission and goals.
• A successful track record in setting priorities, shaping processes, guiding investment in people, and developing an infrastructure that creates a stronger and more efficient organization.
• Thorough understanding of project management, as well as an ability to work effectively under pressure to meet tight deadlines and goals.
• A team leader with a flexible and creative approach.
• Excellent communication and coalition building skills with an ability to balance, negotiate, and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• High level of knowledge and understanding, especially as it relates to professional development, connecting programs to funding, creatively generating other resources, and building strategic partnerships.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with exceptional attention to details.
• Proficient use of technology as a management reporting tool and an ability to develop and implement effective program evaluations.

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DEPUTY DIRECTOR

The Deputy Director will play a critical role in helping the National Association for Interpretation achieve its vision, mission and goals by delivering exceptional member services and professional development. The Deputy Director is a voting officer and will be directly responsible for section chairs. S/he will be responsible for communicating with the Workshop Chair for the annual Region 9 workshop. S/he will be accountable to the OU Director. This position will be instrumental in ensuring consistent and effective internal processes and communications in order to strengthen NAI’s nonprofit programs and position the organization for continued success.

Term

This volunteer position is elected for a three-year term by the section’s general membership.

Duties

• Participate in quarterly & as needed meetings with the OU Board and Leadership Team.
• Oversee Section Leadership Team Chair positions such as workshop chair, and assist Chairs with assignments as needed.
• Assist OU Director by ensuring OU core member services are met in accordance to Advisory Council’s Organizational Unit Core Services Evaluation Form.
• Assume Interim OU Director Role if Director cannot full-fill term.
• Attend Advisory Council meetings if the Director cannot fulfill this commitment.
• Other duties as assigned by OU Director.

Minimum Qualifications

Must be a current NAI member in good standing.

Preferred Qualifications

• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a commitment to NAI’s vision, mission and goals.
• A successful track record in setting priorities, shaping processes, guiding and investment in people, and developing an infrastructure that creates a stronger and more efficient organization.
• Commitment to professional development and networking of OU Members via conferences and other creative methods.

Time Obligations

Varies based on activities. On average, approximately 4 hours weekly.

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SECRETARY

The OU Secretary will play a critical role in helping the National Association for Interpretation achieve its vision, mission and goals by delivering exceptional member services and professional development. The Secretary is a voting officer and will be directly responsible for section chairs. S/he will be accountable to the OU Director. This position will be instrumental in ensuring consistent and effective internal processes and communications in order to strengthen NAI’s nonprofit programs and position the organization for continued success.

Term

The term will be for three (3) years. Elections are determined by the section’s general membership. It is a volunteer position.

Duties

• Arrange, participate and record minutes for various meetings, conferences, and section activities.
• Maintain the OU’s policy manual and Book of Motions.
• Correspond with all new members and with members who have a lapsed membership.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director.

Time Obligations

Varies depending on the time of year, section activities, and any additional roles or committees assumed. Estimated average time is 2-4 hours per month.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be a current NAI member in good standing.

Preferred Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to manage paper and electronic files, as well as a member database.
• Previous experience as a Parliamentarian with working knowledge of Robert’s Rules of Order.

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TREASURER

The OU Treasurer will play a critical role in helping the National Association for Interpretation achieve its vision, mission and goals by delivering exceptional member services and professional development. The Treasurer is a voting officer and will be directly responsible for section chairs. S/he will be accountable to the OU Director. This position will be instrumental in ensuring consistent and effective internal processes and communications in order to strengthen NAI’s nonprofit programs and position the organization for continued success.

Term

The term will be for three (3) years. Elections are determined by the section’s general membership. It is a volunteer position.

Duties

• Guide the leadership team to develop, prepare and approve the section’s annual budget.
• Compare the actual revenues and expenses incurred against the budget for each quarter.
• Ensure the OU remains in compliance with NAI’s financial policies and guidelines.
• Approve and complete section transactions, as well as required financial reporting forms in a timely fashion.
• Keep the OU Leadership Team regularly informed of key financial events, trends and concerns.
• Provide annual financial reports to the members at the section meeting.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director.

Time Obligations

Varies depending on the time of year, section activities, and any additional roles or committees assumed. Estimated average time is 2-4 hours per month.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be a current NAI member in good standing.

Preferred Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Knowledge of and ability to use a variety of software, such as the Microsoft Office.
• Ability to manage paper and electronic files, as well as a member database.
• Keen financial understanding and experience developing and balancing budgets.
• Previous experience as a Parliamentarian with working knowledge of Robert’s Rules of Order.

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Position Descriptions for Committee Chairs

Each OU can determine what committee chairs are beneficial to their unit. Below are listed some of the common committee chair positions and a description of duties. An OU is not limited to these positions and any of these positions descriptions can be altered to meet the needs of the OU

 

Newsletter Editor

Purpose: The Newsletter Editor is responsible for producing and distributing a quarterly newsletter on time. The Editor will work with NAI Staff to distribute the newsletter or through the process that the OU has developed for disbursement.

Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following duties:

• Soliciting articles, photos, art work, and other information for newsletters.
• Participating in meetings as called by the OU Director.
• The Newsletter Editor keeps in contact with the OU Director about each issue to coordinate and to ensure all OU information is included in each newsletter.
• Other duties as assigned by the Regional Director.

 

Scholarships Committee Chairperson

Purpose: The Scholarships Committee provides assistance to undergraduate and/or graduate students, and professionals in a career in interpretation or environmental education through scholarship money as budgeted by each OU. The Chairperson for the scholarship committee is responsible for the overall coordination and direction of the scholarship program. The Chairperson may report to the Treasurer.

Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following duties:

• Create, publicize, and promote a scholarship application process.
• Seek and secure at least three OU members to serve on the committee.
• Using the budgetary funding amount provided by the OU Board, determine the categories, quantity, and dollar amount of awards.
• Send an electronic confirmation receipt to all applicants. Forward evaluation forms and copies of all applications to the committee members, and advise them of the deadline(s) to review the applicants.
• After the recipient selection(s) notify all applicants of the results and provide similar information to the OU Director.
• Contact the successful recipients and inform them of any specific requirements and/or expectations during the workshop or conference in order for them to receive the full scholarship amount.
• Conform with the NAI Scholarship Policy and assist the OU Treasurer with filing the required disbursement with the national office.

 

Awards Committee Chairperson

Purpose: The OU Awards program is designed to recognize outstanding achievements and showcases the success of OU members who work to advance the profession of interpretation. The Awards Chair is responsible for the overall coordination and direction of the awards program.

Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following duties:

• Promote, publicize and encourage OU members to nominate worthy candidates for OU awards program.
• Seek and secure four OU members to serve on the committee.
• Distribute all nomination forms to committee members for review.
• Create scoring system for selection of winners.
• Obtain award plaques for presentation at OU workshop and present awards at OU workshop.
• Contact award winners upon selection and encourage attendance at OU workshop.
• Submit qualifying OU award winners to national awards committee for consideration for National awards.

 

Membership Services Chair

Purpose: This position serves the membership by welcoming new and renewing members and encouraging expired member renewal.

Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following duties:

• Welcome new members and make contact with expiring members on a regular basis.
• Solicit ideas for maintaining contact with members and seeking out new members from all membership services committee members.
• Develop and maintain new member recruitment and sustainability plan.
• Coordinate membership efforts between other OU’s.
• Maintain regular contact with OU Director.
• Participate in OU board meetings as requested.