At last month’s NAWBO Women’s Business Conference, our current, past and incoming presidents were invited to stay on through Saturday for a very special event in their honor. We had invited Joe Iarocci, CEO of the Robert K. Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership, there to speak to our own servant leaders that drive the success of NAWBO through their passion and excellence. If you’re not familiar with the servant leadership philosophy and practices that have been proven to enrich lives, build better organizations and create a more caring world, the term was introduced in 1970 by Robert K. Greenleaf in his essay The Servant as Leader. “The servant leader is servant first,” he wrote. “It begins with a natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then a conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead.” Since then, the philosophy and practices have been embraced and written about by everyone from Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Peter Senge and M. Scott Peck, to Margaret Wheatley, Ann McGee-Cooper & Duane Trammell, Larry Spears and Kent Keith. Here at NAWBO—in our national organization and in chapters across the country—we are always looking for servant leaders who are focused on the growth and well-being of our community and its members; women who can share power, put the needs of others first and help women—and their companies—perform at the highest levels possible. At the national level, our nominations committee has put out an official call for nominations for the NAWBO Board of Directors for the term of 2014-2016. The following are the leadership attributes and qualifications we are seeking:
- MEMBERSHIP: Is a NAWBO voting member in good standing.
- SERVICE: Has proven history of service and commitment to NAWBO—at the local and/or national level.
- EXPERIENCE: Is an experienced board member with history of service on other national boards of nonprofit or membership organizations.
- VISION: Has the ability to see the big picture, and to help develop strategy and policy to help the organization achieve its mission.
- STEWARDSHIP: Has the ability to serve and promote the interests of the organization and the women’s business community at large.
- INTEGRITY: Has the discretion to maintain confidentiality of board discussions and speaks with one voice when representing the organization to the community, even when in disagreement with majority decisions.
- KNOWLEDGE: Possesses knowledge and understanding of the issues and concerns of women business owners, and has the commitment to stay informed and knowledgeable on all pertinent issues that impact our members.
- ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Has the willingness to become thoroughly familiar with the mission and how the organization actually carries out the mission day-to-day through its organizational structure and operations.
- PERSONAL COMMITMENT: Is willing to take time and make the effort needed to fulfill director responsibilities: including understanding strategic, financial and operational issues facing the organization; and engaging personally and directly with the organization whether through financial support, advocacy, networking, personal service or other support activities.
- COLLEGIALITY: Has the ability to work well with others and to show respect for the ideas and views of fellow board members and staff; with the full understanding that boards operate as a body.
- DIVERSITY: Represents a diverse segment of the women business community and has deep resources and connections in the business community.
- FINANCIAL COMMITMENT: Possesses financial resources and capacity to make a personal contribution or bring in a sponsorship of $5,000 or more annually to the organization.
- MEETING ATTENDANCE: Is willing to commit personal time and resources to attend all board meetings, including travel expenses. Missing more than two (2) consecutive board meetings may result in disciplinary action and/or removal from the Board.
You may learn more about the board position and access the NAWBO National Bylaws by clicking on the links below: • NAWBO Board of Director Position Description • NAWBO National Bylaws To be considered, nomination materials must be submitted no later than December 8, 2013. CLICK HERE to complete and submit the online Nominations Form. You will also be asked to email to [email protected] the candidate’s most current resume or bio and headshot and any supporting documents that support candidacy. If you have questions, please contact the nominations committee at [email protected]. As a longtime Indianapolis chapter board member, current National Chair and Interim CEO, I can tell you just how rewarding it’s been to serve NAWBO. I have been able to have meaningful conversations, effect change and open new doors that have positively impacted tens of thousands of women entrepreneurs, and in turn, my own business. If you qualify or know of someone who does, I hope you will consider this tremendous opportunity. —Billie Dragoo, NAWBO National Chair and Interim CEO