MILAN – The Specialty Coffee Association is now accepting nominations for the 2024-2025 SCA Board of Directors. Nominations close on Tuesday, June 26, and interviews with the Nominating Committee will take place in July. The SCA will announce the slate of candidates selected through the interview process by Thursday, August 31.
The SCA Board of Directors consists of eighteen volunteer members, supported by the CEO and SCA staff. The members elected to serve on the 2024-2025 SCA Board will serve from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025.
This year’s SCA nominations and interview process is overseen by the Nominating Committee comprised of a mix of past and current board members:
- Konstantinos Konstantinopoulos, Board President
- Pamela Chng, Board Vice President
- Garfield Kerr, Board 2nd Vice President
- Cosimo Libardo, Board Treasurer
- Christina Meinl, Emeritus Director
- Juan Luis Barrios, Emeritus Director
- Yannis Apostolopoulos, Chief Executive Officer
SCA members who meet the qualifications listed below are encouraged to submit a nomination to serve on the SCA Board of Directors. Nominations close at 9:00 am PDT / 5:00 pm BST on June 26 and can be submitted using the form at sca.coffee/board/elections.
What are the responsibilities of an SCA Board Director?
The SCA’s mission is to engage, inspire, and expand a sustainable global specialty coffee community through leadership in events, education, and research. The SCA Board of Directors supports the work of the SCA and provides mission-based leadership and strategic governance. While the CEO leads day-to-day operations, the board-CEO relationship is a partnership, and the appropriate involvement of the board is both critical and expected.
The board year lasts from January 1 – December 31. SCA Board Member responsibilities related to leadership, governance, and oversight include:
- Serving as trusted advisors to the CEO as they develop and implement the 5-year strategic plan
- Reviewing agenda and supporting materials before board and committee meetings
- Approving SCA’s annual budget, audit report, and material business decisions; being informed of, and meeting all legal and fiduciary responsibilities
- Contributing to the annual performance evaluation of the CEO
- Assisting the CEO and Board Chair in identifying and recruiting other board members
- Partnering with the CEO and other board members to carry out board resolutions
- Serving on committees or task forces and taking on particular assignments
- Representing the SCA to stakeholders; acting as an ambassador for the organization
- Ensuring SCA’s commitment to a diverse board and staff that reflects the communities that the SCA serves
What are the expected qualifications of an SCA Board Director?
Serving on the SCA Board of Directors is an exceptional opportunity for an individual passionate about the SCA’s mission. Nominees must be members in good standing of the SCA and have a track record of board leadership. Selected board members will have achieved leadership stature in business, government, philanthropy, or the nonprofit sector.
Ideal candidates for the SCA Board of Directors must have the following qualifications:
- Extensive professional experience with significant executive leadership accomplishments in business, government, philanthropy, or the nonprofit sector
- A commitment to and understanding of the coffee value chain, preferably based on experience
- Excellent diplomatic skills and a natural affinity for cultivating relationships and persuading, convening, facilitating, and building consensus among diverse individuals
- Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a passion for improving the lives of people in the coffee community
What are the expected commitments for the Board Director?
- SCA Board Directors serve a 2-year term.
- Board members must be SCA members in good standing.
- Board Directors should expect to commit 2-3 weeks a year of their in-person time to meetings and events. Specifically, Board Directors are expected to attend both the Specialty Coffee Expo and World of Coffee trade shows and two other international board meetings, plus any committee meetings held separately.
- As most of the board business is conducted in English, Board Directors are expected to be fluent in written and spoken English.
- Board service is a volunteer position.
2023 Board Election Timeline
Every year, the SCA Board forms a Nominations Committee to recruit qualified professionals to serve two-year terms. See the timeline below for key dates in the 2022 SCA Board of Directors elections.
Nominations Period
- June 13: Nominations Open
- June 26: Nominations Close
Interview Period
- July: The SCA Nominations Committee interviews nominees
Slate Announcement
- August 31: The SCA Board announces the slate of candidates selected through the nominations and interview process
Nominations by Petition
Applicants not selected through the nominations and interview process may choose to collect at least 100 signatures from SCA members in order to be added to the final ballot by petition. More information on the petition candidacy process can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions section at sca.coffee/board/elections.
- September 1: Opening Date for Nominations by Petition
- September 30: Closing Date for Nominations by Petition
Final Ballot Announcement
- October 13: Announcement of Final Ballot
SCA Members Vote
- November 1: Voting Opens
- November 30: Voting Closes
Results Announced
- December 15: The results of the election process is announced to SCA members and the wider coffee community
Am I eligible to participate in the SCA Board of Directors Elections process?
The annual Board of Directors election is an opportunity for SCA members to help shape the volunteer group that will provide mission-based leadership and strategic governance. Only SCA members who hold a current valid membership are eligible to vote. Please be aware that SCA Company Memberships receive one vote in SCA elections. Employee Members (Secondary Members on a Company Membership) cannot cast a ballot. Not sure if you’re eligible to vote? Check your membership status in the SCA Member Portal here or contact the Member Services Team.
SCA Members will receive an email ballot on November 1 from eBallot, the third-party election management company supporting the 2022 SCA Board of Directors election. SCA members who do not receive an email ballot by November 1 should get in touch using the contact form on the website: sca.coffee/board/elections. Prefer a paper ballot? Request it by September 30 using the contact form on the elections page.
Do you have questions about the SCA Board elections process?
Visit the SCA Elections page on the website to find answers to frequently asked questions or take a look at the election process and procedure outlined in detail in the SCA’s bylaws. For any other questions, get in touch with us directly using the contact form at sca.coffee/board/elections.
