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Call For SMA Board Candidates The Nominations Committee is soliciting qualified SMA members for inclusion on the 2021 ballot. When nominating, please consider the following leadership characteristics as well as the bylaw requirements, also listed below. Proven performance. Leadership requires knowledge, talent, skill, vitality, and the ability to make a difference. In the asso- ciation environment, that translates into a solid track record of contributing to the success of programs, events, or projects. Commitment. Ser ving as an association leader is an honor and a reward—but it requires a demonstrated commitment to the organization and its mission and goals. Time to ser ve. Par ticipating fully in asso- ciation activities requires extra time to prepare for, travel to, and attend meetings. Good health. The of ten hectic and stren- uous pace of volunteer leadership requires a good mental and physical condition. Understanding of teamwork. Many people contribute their effor ts toward the realization of an association's goals and objectives— no one does it alone. Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills are essential to effective teamwork. Sound judgment and integrity. In many instances, popularity brings potential leaders into the limelight of the association. But pop- ularity must be tempered with good judgment and integrity: decisions may need to be made that are not popular among the members. Communication and teaching skills. Current leaders ser ve as mentors and teachers to future leaders. Enthusiasm—a zest for ser ving the association—is an impor tant ingredient that leaders must be able to pass along to their successors. Ability to subordinate special interests. Leaders of ten emerge because of their special exper tise or effective representa- tion of a specific membership constituency. Leadership, however, may require subor- dinating those special interests for the greater good of the entire association. Exemplar y personal conduct. Leaders' behavior and attitudes can greatly influ- ence others in the association. As a result, it's vital for them to have and exhibit sensitivity to race, ethnicity, gender, age, and other human differences. Support systems. The extra effor t required of volunteer leaders involves a substantial time commitment. Not only does this need to be understood by the person's employer but also by his or her family and friends. In addition to the previous leadership characteristics and attributes, the following is required by SMA bylaws of nominees: For a member to be nominated for an office, one must have been a professional member in good standing for the last three ( 3) years and have attended one (1) of the past two (2) Society Annual meetings, or have par ticipated in an SMA-sponsored event such as ISA PA Day or the Municipal Forestr y Institute, or have ser ved on an SMA committee within the past two (2) years. Nominees for Vice President shall, in addition, have a minimum of three-( 3) years' experience in the employ of a governmental unit while providing arboricultural/urban forestr y ser vices and a minimum of one (1) year of experience as a member of the Executive Board. Description of Duties and Responsibilities of SMA Board Members: • Attend monthly conference calls (12 calls per year) held the second Tuesday of ever y month at 12:00- 1:00pm Eastern Standard Time. Be prepared for the call by reviewing the agenda, prior month's meeting minutes, and any suppor ting documents. • Attend the Annual SMA Conference and Trade Show and SMA-sponsored events and business meetings associ- ated with the SMA Conference. Board member expenses for the Conference are not paid by SMA; however, lunch and snacks the day of the Board meeting are provided by SMA. • Attend the mid-year SMA Board meeting (traveling on Thursday and Sunday, with Board meetings on Friday and Saturday.) This meeting requires preparation of topics to be discussed. The meeting is around the end of March and has been held at an airpor t hotel near the Dallas For t- Wor th Airpor t. Travel expenses, hotel accommodations, Friday and Saturday breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as snacks at breaks, are covered by SMA. • Act as liaison between the SMA Board and one of the SMA Committees (Conference, Internship Program, Arborist Exchange Program, Membership, Communication, Accreditation, etc.) Liaison should be paired with a committee of interest to the Board member where his/her skills and talents can be most effective. This role requires monthly communication/ engagement with the committee to oversee and assist then in creating and following a timeline and achieving their goals. The Board member liaison repor ts committee progress back to the board on the monthly second-Tuesday call. The Board member liaison is also responsible for helping the committee complete its bi-annual repor ts. • Make an annual donation, according to ability, to the Urban Forest Foundation. To nominate someone online, please visit the SMA website at www.urban-forestr y.com or email the following information to Nominations Committee Chair Jay Banks, at banksjs@visuallink.com. • Name, address, email address, and phone number of nominator • Name, address, email address, and phone number of nominee • Nominee's place of employment, title, and area of expertise • Why is the individual a good candi- date for the SMA Board of Directors? • Has this candidate had other nonprofit board experience? Nominations close October 4, 2021 www.urban-forestry.com 33