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Call for Interest | 2023-2024 Leadership Positions

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The Call for Interest for individuals wishing to pursue an elected leadership role within the Society is open now through May 31, 2022.

IDSA’s Nominations and Elections Committee (detailed below) invites all members in good standing to self-select or recommend a colleague who they feel might be qualified to serve in one of several available volunteer roles. 

Ideal candidates are individuals who excel at creative problem solving within tight constraints, who are trusted and proactive participants within their own communities and who have a proven track record of leadership, dedication, and commitment. The required skill set, background, and applicable experience level will vary depending on the role. Open positions require a two (2) year volunteer commitment term beginning in January 2023 and ending in December 2024. 

Our Society is a diverse community of individuals who support each other through volunteer efforts that underpin and strengthen the design community as a whole. By endorsing a colleague, or nominating yourself, you are showing your commitment to IDSA’s long-term success and improved membership experience. 

Open Positions

Board of Directors

  • Secretary / Treasurer
  • Chapter Director
  • At-Large Director – Awards

Districts Committee

  • West District Representative
  • Midwest District Representative
  • South District Representative

Women in Design Committee

  • West District Representative
  • Midwest District Representative
  • South District Representative

Timeline

1. Call for Interest – May
Members in good standing may submit the name of a colleague, or self-submit, for consideration by the Nominations and Elections Committee. During this period, the Nominations and Elections Committee may also proactively seek out individuals to gauge levels of interest in serving in one of the open positions. 

2. Candidate Review – May-July
The Committee interviews and evaluates candidates based on their fit and qualifications compared to critera outlined in the position descriptions. IDSA’s executive director may also speak with candidates to confirm alignment with strategic organizational objectives. Note: The Committee maintains the discretion to select or deny any individual from moving past this stage based on fit for the role.

3. Board of Directors Approval – August
The Nominations and Elections Committee presents their proposed slate of candidates to the Board of Directors for approval. Only Board approved candidates are then presented to membership to be voted upon for election to a Board of Directors position.

4. Slate of Candidates – September
The approved slate of candidates is posted online at IDSA.org for our community to see. This is made public for 30 days prior to membership voting. During this time, candidates are encouraged to help drive awareness of their candidacy and the approaching membership vote through networking and social outreach.

5. Membership Voting – October
Members are invited to vote for their preferred candidate in each position. Voting is primarily accomplished via IDSA’s online platform, but paper ballots can be made available.

6. Voting Results – November
Once voting is complete, the results are tabulated and verified by an independent, third-party company. All individuals on the slate of candidates are notified of the results once verified.

7. Public Announcement – December
Voting results are made public to IDSA’s membership and community.

2023–2024 IDSA LEADERSHIP POSITION SUBMISSION FORM

Use the form below to nominate yourself or a colleague for one of the open Board of Directors or District level positions. An individual can be nominated for more than one position if their qualifications span multiple roles. If selected by the IDSA Nominations Committee, they will only be allowed to run for a single position.

 

(The deadline to submit has passed.)

Meet the Nominations & Elections Committee

The mission of the Nominations and Elections Committee is to identify candidates who are foremost qualified for the specific needs of each role while also being inclusive and demonstrative of our increasingly diverse membership and broader design industry. This current committee is serving in its first of a 2-year term.

Yi-Ping Wong, IDSA
Committee Chair

Cory Herbst, IDSA
Central District

Claire Nelsen, IDSA
West District

David Patton, IDSA
South District

Sara Pedersen, IDSA
Midwest District

Emilie Williams, IDSA
Northeast District

Detailed position descriptions

Serving as an officer of the Society and a member of the Board of Director’s Executive Committee, the Secretary/Treasurer helps oversee the Society’s funds and financial records while ensuring that proper accounting procedures are followed. They work closely with IDSA’s Finance and Accounting department to develop annual reports that provide the Board of Directors a clear view of the Society’s long-term fiscal health.

The ideal candidate has a design background yet has proven experience working on the financial side of business operations. The Secretary/Treasurer is a ‘number cruncher,’ competent in financial analysis and modeling who blends these skills with a designer’s thinking.

Primary responsibilities of this role from 2023-2024 include:

  • Reviewing and advising on aspects of IDSA’s financial strategies and organizational decisions.
  • Reviewing and advising on legal documents and partnership agreements.
  • Working closely with IDSA’s executive director in defining, implementing, and maintaining the strategic direction of the organization.
  • Serves as a member of the Executive Committee.
  • Serves as the Secretary / Treasurer on the Design Foundation Board of Trustees.


To qualify for this role from 2023-2024, the ideal candidate should:

  • Be familiar with IDSA’s organizational structure.
  • Have relevant and proven professional organizational financial experience such as building and managing operational budgets, investment strategies, and P&L sheets.
  • Have relevant and proven professional organizational management experience.
  • Have the ability to think both ‘long term, big-picture’ and ‘near term, quick solutions.’
  • Possess excellent communication skills (written and verbal) and be comfortable speaking in public.
  • Have leadership experience with other non-profit organizations and/or previous Board experience with other organizations.
  • Complement and demonstrate a good rapport with the executive director.

The Chapter Director promotes, monitors and nurtures chapters leadership teams and represents chapters interests on the Board of Directors. This role is responsible for cultivating opportunities for relationships among chapters, sections and education representatives at universities across the country.

The Chapter Director serves as Chair of the Districts Committee, which is made up of the District Chapter Representatives (DCR). Together, they focus on communication, education and training to grow and evolve the chapter program at the grassroots level.

The ideal candidate has served as a District Chapter Representative (formerly District Vice President) and/or has been active in their local professional chapter. They are a proactive leader and thrive in situations where they can mentor a team to perform at a high level.

Primary responsibilities of this role for the 2023-2024 term include:

  • Work with DCRs and chapter leaders to identify resources and develop processes that empower them to support their local communities.
  • Work with DCRs and chapter leaders to develop and/or propose new program offerings or chapter events that connect local communities.
  • Identify and nurture DCRs and chapter leaders’ leadership skills.
  • Review and approve SCARF (Section Chapter Activity Form) submissions. These are used to track and assist in chapter event planning.
  • Support the city-based chapter initiative.


To qualify for this role for the 2023-2024 term, the ideal candidate should:

  • Have familiarity with the IDSA chapter organizational structure.
  • Share an interest in empowering local design communities.
  • Understand the needs of wide-ranging current industrial design professional trends.
  • Be outgoing and comfortable with community outreach activities.
  • Have demonstrated ability to motivate peers to achieve their best.
  • Be comfortable leading and collaborating with a team / committee of volunteers.

The Chapter Director promotes, monitors and nurtures chapters leadership teams and represents chapters interests on the Board of Directors. This role is responsible for cultivating opportunities for relationships among chapters, sections and education representatives at universities across the country.

The Chapter Director serves as Chair of the Districts Committee, which is made up of the District Chapter Representatives (DCR). Together, they focus on communication, education and training to grow and evolve the chapter program at the grassroots level.

The ideal candidate has served as a District Chapter Representative (formerly District Vice President) and/or has been active in their local professional chapter. They are a proactive leader and thrive in situations where they can mentor a team to perform at a high level.

Primary responsibilities of this role for the 2023-2024 term include:

  • Work with DCRs and chapter leaders to identify resources and develop processes that empower them to support their local communities.
  • Work with DCRs and chapter leaders to develop and/or propose new program offerings or chapter events that connect local communities.
  • Identify and nurture DCRs and chapter leaders’ leadership skills.
  • Review and approve SCARF (Section Chapter Activity Form) submissions. These are used to track and assist in chapter event planning.
  • Support the city-based chapter initiative.


To qualify for this role for the 2023-2024 term, the ideal candidate should:

  • Have familiarity with the IDSA chapter organizational structure.
  • Share an interest in empowering local design communities.
  • Understand the needs of wide-ranging current industrial design professional trends.
  • Be outgoing and comfortable with community outreach activities.
  • Have demonstrated ability to motivate peers to achieve their best.
  • Be comfortable leading and collaborating with a team / committee of volunteers.

(West, Midwest, South)

The Women In Design Committee endeavors to invite participation, encourage dialogue, and enable a community for women in design to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive industrial design profession. At the direction of the Board of Directors, the WIDC, through leadership of its Chair, will:

  • Provide mentoring and support to Women in Design Chapter leaders
  • Review and assist with the approval of new city-based Women in Design Chapter groups
  • Foster an inclusive and supportive environment for Women in Design Chapter Leaders and those who participate in Women in Design programming
  • Collaborate, coordinate, and align efforts with the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council (DEIC) on IDSA’s DEI goals pertaining to Women in Design
  • Elevate issues of importance to the Board of Directors for consideration, feedback, and action
  • Assist with the curation of speakers and content for IDSA’s Women in Design Deep Dive event, in collaboration with the IDSA events staff
  • Assist in identifying future committee members to replace those whose terms have ended


To qualify for this role for the 2023-2024 term, the ideal candidate should:

  • Hold a current IDSA professional membership and be eligible to serve per IDSA’s Bylaws
  • Have prior experience leading a team and mentoring others in a professional setting
  • Demonstrated ability to inspire and support others
  • Prior IDSA chapter leadership experience is a plus.

(West, Midwest, South)

The Women In Design Committee endeavors to invite participation, encourage dialogue, and enable a community for women in design to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive industrial design profession. At the direction of the Board of Directors, the WIDC, through leadership of its Chair, will:

  • Provide mentoring and support to Women in Design Chapter leaders
  • Review and assist with the approval of new city-based Women in Design Chapter groups
  • Foster an inclusive and supportive environment for Women in Design Chapter Leaders and those who participate in Women in Design programming
  • Collaborate, coordinate, and align efforts with the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council (DEIC) on IDSA’s DEI goals pertaining to Women in Design
  • Elevate issues of importance to the Board of Directors for consideration, feedback, and action
  • Assist with the curation of speakers and content for IDSA’s Women in Design Deep Dive event, in collaboration with the IDSA events staff
  • Assist in identifying future committee members to replace those whose terms have ended


To qualify for this role for the 2023-2024 term, the ideal candidate should:

  • Hold a current IDSA professional membership and be eligible to serve per IDSA’s Bylaws
  • Have prior experience leading a team and mentoring others in a professional setting
  • Demonstrated ability to inspire and support others
  • Prior IDSA chapter leadership experience is a plus.