MILAN — The Specialty Coffee Association opens nominations for the SCA Board of Directors as part of the forthcoming elections for the 2020-2021 SCA Board of Directors.
The SCA Board of Directors consists of eighteen (18) volunteer members that serve a two-year term, supported by the Executive Director/CEO and SCA staff. This year there will be six (6) seats up for election, the members elected to serve on the 2020-2021 SCA Board will serve a two-year term running from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2021.
The SCA nominations and election process is overseen by the Nominating Committee comprised of the following individuals:
- Heather Perry, Board President
- Christina Meinl, Board Vice President
- Colleen Anunu, Board 2nd Vice President
- Nils Erichsen, Board Treasurer
- Tracy Ging, former Board Director
- Paul Stack, former Board President
- Yannis Apostolopoulos, Executive Director/CEO
For this year the Nominating Committee has outlined a few qualification recommendations, as well as a description of an SCA Board Member’s responsibilities. These recommendations and descriptions are listed below.
All members are encouraged to submit their name or the names of candidates who would make a valuable contribution to the Association by serving on the SCA Board of Directors. You may submit your nominations directly to the SCA using this online form. Please submit your nomination by 9:00 am BST / 5:00 pm PDT on July 12, 2019.
2020-2021 SCA Board Director Role Description and Suggested Nominee Qualifications
The SCA’s mission is to engage, inspire, and expand a sustainable global specialty coffee community through shared values and core commitments.
The board will support the work of SCA and provide mission-based leadership and strategic governance. While day-to-day operations are led by the CEO/Executive Director, 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 include leadership, governance, and oversight:
- Serving as trusted advisors to the CEO as they develop and implement the five-year strategic plan
- Reviewing agenda and supporting materials prior to 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 ensure that board resolutions are carried out
- Serving on committees or task forces and taking on special assignment
- Representing SCA to stakeholders; acting as an ambassador for the organization
- Ensuring SCA’s commitment to a diverse board and staff that reflects the communities and value chain SCA serves
Board Term / Commitment
- SCA Board Directors serve a two-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 as well as two other international board meetings, plus any committee meetings held separately.
- As the majority of board business is conducted in English, Board Directors are expected to be fluent in written and spoken English.
- Board service is a volunteer position. Expenses will be reimbursed according to the SCA Travel Policy, which includes airfare and lodging. Board members should expect to cover time and food expenses.
2020-2021 SCA Board Nominee Qualifications
This is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual who is passionate about the SCA mission, a member in good standing of the SCA, and who has a track record of board leadership. Selected Board Members will have achieved leadership stature in business, government, philanthropy, or the non-profit sector. Your accomplishments will allow you to attract other well-qualified, high-performing board members.
Ideal candidates will have the following qualifications:
- Extensive professional experience with significant executive leadership accomplishments in business, government, philanthropy, or the non-profit sector
- A commitment to and understanding of SCA value chain, preferably based on experience
- Savvy 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 SCA stakeholders
Again, please submit your nominations directly to the SCA using this online form. Please submit your nomination by 9:00 am BST / 5:00 pm PDT on July 12, 2019.
