The National AfterSchool Association (NAA), a professional membership organization governed by a Board of Directors, is seeking candidates to fill board positions for terms starting July 2021. The primary focus of this year’s board applications is on leaders whose work and professional expertise can further the goals of NAA and the afterschool profession.
NAA Board Priorities
Mission, Vision and Goals
The National Afterschool Association is the national professional membership association for people who work with and on behalf of youth during out-of-school time.
NAA fosters positive youth outcomes by supporting, developing, and advocating for afterschool professionals and leaders.
We use purpose, position and partnerships to build equity and connections through essential strategic areas that will create a strong, valued profession that benefits young people.
NAA’s work focuses on four key strategic areas:
- Field Leadership - Creating, contributing to and fostering partnerships that promote policies, professional and program standards and supports.
- Advocacy - Acting as the voice of the profession—building partnerships, policies and programs that recognize, promote and support the afterschool profession and its professionals.
- Professional Development - Fostering partnerships, policies and programs that support the development of people who work to provide high-quality afterschool opportunities for young people, recognizing and promoting the important contribution of the afterschool profession and its professionals.
- Community - Creating community, networking and knowledge exchange.
To view NAA's 2020-24 Strategic Framework, click here.
The National Board believes that all board members—present and future—must:
- Understand and value the vital role afterschool professionals and leaders play in the development of healthy young people.
- Advocate articulately for NAA, its vision, the afterschool profession and its professionals.
- Advance NAA’s mission, vision and goals by extending personal and professional credibility, expertise and leadership to the organization.
- Think broadly and strategically about the role of the afterschool profession, it’s professionals and of NAA.
NAA Board Candidate Qualifications
NAA is committed to creating a diverse board of leaders from a broad spectrum of organizations and agencies. Appointed members are chosen by the board to reflect a broad knowledge and awareness of the issues facing the Association. Candidates for election are chosen for their ability to objectively consider a variety of perspectives inherent in decisions affecting the Association's future, not to represent a group, region or interest.
Candidates:
- Are selected based on their ability to demonstrate strong leadership, commitment and connections to the field.
- Must be qualified to consider the perspectives, challenges and choices inherent in the decisions affecting the Association's future.
- Are expected to possess a broad experience in nonprofit association management, leadership skills and expert knowledge of the field.
- Must be an Executive member of NAA.
NAA's election process seeks to recruit and elect qualified leaders who will further our mission. The NAA Board of Directors greatly values diverse perspectives from all levels of our field and membership. NAA is so deeply committed to diversity, equity and inclusion that all aspects of our strategic focus are informed by these tenets.
These qualifications are designed to ensure that elected board members are prepared to fulfill their designated responsibilities, including but not limited to:
- Exercising fiduciary responsibilities and stewardship with regard to NAA's goals, policies and allocation of resources.
- Contributing to a policy development that provides leadership for the Association with a focus on mission.
- Identifying and cultivating future association leaders.
- Serving on committees and panels and being available for work with partner organizations.
In addition, NAA continues to seek applications from individuals who have a commitment to the afterschool profession and interest in serving on the national board. Candidates should:
- Have highly developed oral and written communication skills and be able to use or learn to use a variety of social media and work collaboration applications.
- Be a “big picture” individual with the ability to grasp the nature of governance and operations of a complex, multi-faceted, intermediary, national organization.
- Be a problem solver: adept at spotting issues, considering courses of action, developing a sense of pros and cons of various options and reaching decisions.
- Be self-confident, yet collaborative in spirit.
- Be accustomed to dealing professionally with individuals of high achievement in a range of professions and activities.
- Be a self-starter. They should take the initiative when appropriate to make contributions to the board and not always be in a passive mode.
- Be committed to the board process, willing to attend and participate in meetings and events.
NAA Board Time and Financial Commitments
Board members are both elected and appointed to three-year terms. An additional (optional) three-year term is available to board members upon approval of the board. In-person meetings are held prior to the NAA Annual Convention, with virtual meetings four to six times a year. Board business may be conducted by email, shared drives, conference calls, video or additional meetings. Board members may also be asked to serve on board committees or task forces. Board members are expected to support 100% board giving with a personal financial contribution. While board members do not receive compensation for their service, travel and other related expenses associated with board service are reimbursed by NAA. In addition, candidates must be able to make the necessary commitment of time and other resources to serve effectively as a board member and to serve as effective representatives for the Association.
Click here to view the NAA Board Job Description.
NAA Board Applications and Elections Process
Candidates interested in serving on the NAA National Board of Directors should use this planning document to prepare answers to the application questions, and then complete the online application here. Candidates need a professional headshot, up-to-date resume or CV, two references that support the application and a short (less than two minutes) campaign video.
Interested candidates should submit the online application including a headshot, resume and video by May 21, 2021 at 9 p.m. ET.
A board member committee will review applications to determine candidate eligibility. After candidates are identified and screened, the nominating committee recommends a slate of qualified candidates for approval by the full board. Potential candidates will be contacted about their application status during the week of May 24, 2021. The election will be held from June 1 - June 11, 2021. Current NAA Executive, Ambassador and Advocate members are eligible to vote. The two candidates receiving the most votes will be elected to the board and will begin board service in July 2021.
