Alpha Phi OmegaBoard Re-Structuring

Presentation to Regional Conferences

2005

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Outline

• Motivations for Change

• History

• Recommendations

• What Does the Board Look Like Now?

• What Would the New Board Look Like?

• Benefits of the Changes

• What Can You Do to Help?

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Motivations for Change

• APO is NOT positioned to react/excel in• Needs of membership identified at and between

conventions• Emergencies• Changes in college campuses/student demographics• Changes in laws and regulations (State and Federal)

• Existing Board structure LIMITS• Ability to meet operating and programmatic roles• Ability to develop/achieve National Goals• Ability to obtain skills/experience needed on today’s boards• Governance of resources and fundraising

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Motivations for Change

• APO must have a governing board that fully understands– How to manage a 1.1 Million Dollar

Corporation– How to interact effectively with students– How to structure support operations

effectively– How to motivate, strategize, synergize, and

create to meet the goals of the Fraternity

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History

• Current structure in place for over 30 years• Limited changes such as

– Addition of Regional Director, Program Director and Ex Officio Positions

– Changes in titles and term lengths– Modification to responsibilities

• Membership has more than doubled and financial structure/services are significantly more complex

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• Started by Resolution from a Convention Committee in 2002

• Numerous constituency groups included in research: Students, Alumni, all volunteer levels

• National committee reviewed findings and reported summary to National President

• New committee assigned to take these findings to a definitive recommendation

• Draft recommendations is being reviewed by YOU and our Key Volunteers

RecommendationsBased on Extensive Review

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• Links between students and board must be maintained

• Student involvement on the board desirable• Expand diversity (experience and knowledge) of

board• Provide enhanced support for actives and Chapters

by key volunteers• Enhance speed, flexibility of governance• Enhance strategic focus, long range goal

performance

Issues Considered

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Recommendations

• Create student advisory board with chair serving on the national board of directors

• More focused attention to responsibilities by national committee chairs and board members by separating roles except for committees tied to governance: finance, audit and long range goals

• Convention elects five at-large board members• Focused attention of regional directors to Chapter

support by separating their responsibilities from a board role. RD’s will elect two representatives to board

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Recommendations - continued

• Continue student elections of National President and vice president

• National treasurer selected by Board from its membership

• Three additional board members with qualifications which broaden expertise of the board selected by the Board

• Remove life members from the board and reduce number of past presidents serving to two.

• Continue advisory roles for past presidents, life members and other former board members

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Recommendations - continued

• Reconfigure the National Board of Directors to consist of 15 voting members and 3 ex-officio members.

• Continue to convene meetings of the national leadership to address current operational and programmatic activities

• Add additional board meetings to enhance monitoring of programs, follow-up on goals and address long range challenges

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Current Board Structure – 41 membersNote: Many current Board members are not active but count in quorum.

Of the 41 members 19 are elected by the current National Convention and 17 were elected by previous Conventions. 5 are members by virtue of their positions.

National PresidentVice President6 Program Directors11 Regional Directors

17 Past Presidents andLife Members of the Board

5 Ex-officio Members

Elected by the studentsat the National Convention

Elected by students atprior National Conventions

Member of the Board byvirtue of their position

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Proposed Board Structure – 18 membersNational President & Vice President + 5 At-Large Members

2 Past Presidents

3 Ex-officio Members

Elected by the studentsat the National Convention

Elected by students atprior National Conventions

Member of the Board byvirtue of their position

11 Regional Directors Elected by the students

2 Regional Directorsserve on B of D

Elected by the 11Regional Directors

11 Regional Student Advisors Elected by the students

Student Chair serveson Board of Dir.

Elected by the 11Regional Student Advisors

Unknown Number of Program Chairs Appointed by the President

3 MembersMembers elected bythe Board

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Proposed Board StructureStudents/

Convention

2 RegionalRepresentatives

President & Vice Pres.

5 MembersAt Large

3 MembersElected by

Board

3 Ex-OfficioMembers

11 RegionalDirectors

2 PastPresidentsProgram

Chairs

11 RegionalStud. Advisors

StudentMember

Elected by the studentsElected by the sub groupAppointed by the President

Elected by previous students

Selected by the electedMembers of the Board

Board of Directors

Leadership Council

Regional Student Advisors

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Benefits• Region Directors and Program Directors can focus their skills

and resources better meeting the needs of actives and Chapters• Opportunities for more Brothers to serve at the national level• Additional opportunities to serve the actives and Chapter key

volunteers, especially those who are interested in additional responsibilities but who are not interested in, or able to, serve on the board

• Students continue the responsibility to elect board members with the skills and abilities necessary for national governance, but now without the concerns about direct program management

• Clearer expectations and understanding regarding the role of the board and its responsibilities

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Benefits - continued

• Consistency in strategic planning and application• Ability for all board members to better focus on

fundraising endeavors• Increased diversity of board members • Directors will be better able to adapt to changing

campus environments and federal regulations quicker

• Increased accountability to partner organizations• Increased ability to improve, grow, share and

invest

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How You Can Help

Email feedback to:

boardstructure@apo.org

Board StructureTerm LengthsImplementation StrategiesOther Comments

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Where Do We Go from Here?

• Review with active members at all Regional Conferences

• Compile Feedback

• Present recommendations to Board of Directors

• If approved, prepare legislation to be brought forth to Louisville Convention

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Thanks

• 2005 Committee: David Keely, Bob London, Keith Roots, Abigayle Tobia, John Wetherington - chair

• 2004 Committee chaired by Jack McKenzie• NVC Participants for their feedback• Current National Board for their input

• MOST IMPORTANT - Thank YOU for your valuable insights and feedback