Board Election – FOSA
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Board Election

Summary of FOSA Board Member and Officer duties and responsibilities

The Association holds an annual election for Directors to its Board at the FOSA Annual Member Meeting in December. Each director serves a two-year term beginning in January. Members of the Board set the overall direction for our organization and make critical strategic decisions regarding our activities, finances and projects.

Board Member Duties and Responsibilities
The Fiber Optic Sensing Association plays a significant role in promoting the benefits of fiber optic sensing technology. The Board of Directors is responsible for effectively representing the members of FOSA and assuring that proper oversight and strategic direction is provided. Effective and committed Board members are needed to bring experienced strategic thinking, executive leadership and general technology and business experience to ensure the continued advancement of the Association. Board members also provide guidance to the Association’s staff members. Board members assume a fiduciary responsibility for proper governance of this not-for-profit market interest group.

Commitments and Accountabilities

Expected Board Member Resource Commitment and Performance Levels include:

  • Attending Fiber Optic Sensing Association Board meetings, both face-to-face and conference calls; the objective performance metric is 75% attendance for quarterly conference calls and 100% attendance at two face-to-face Board meetings
  • Performance of Board duties (other than for Board officers) is estimated to consume about 1-2 hours per month (exclusive of meetings or travel time to meetings)
  • Traveling on the member company’s budget to Board meetings and/or for speaking engagements representing FOSA (as they may arise) and other meetings associated with Board membership
  • Interacting in a professional manner with all other the Board members, FOSA staff, and members. Board members are expected to serve as examples of professional conduct during the execution of their duties
  • Representing the views of the Fiber Optic Sensing Association in all public arenas when representing the Association
  • Following the Association’s Anti-Trust Guidelines
  • Preparing for Board meetings by reviewing documents, contracts, strategic plans and agendas ahead of board meetings
  • Expected Board Officer Roles, Responsibilities and Resource Commitments include:

FOSA Secretary:

  • The FOSA secretary is a key attendee at Board meetings (conference calls and face to face meetings), to:
    • Take attendee roll call
    • Summarize prior meeting minutes and capture agreement of said minutes
    • Take notes for current meeting minutes, particularly for Board votes held
  • Attend 1 FOSA management conference call per week, with objective performance of 75% attendance
  • Attend all quarterly Board of Directors meetings, including two face to face meetings, with an objective performance of 100% attendance
  • Provide guidance and advice to the Vice Chair and Chair on daily/weekly FOSA activities and strategy
  • Support FOSA leadership at public events, external meetings or conference calls (a few per year expected)

FOSA Treasurer:

  • Maintain and update the FOSA budget, with quarterly reporting to the Fiber Broadband Association’s accounts team
  • Provide an update on FOSA’s accounts to the Board of Directors in each BOD meeting, with an objective performance of 75% meeting attendance
  • Attend 1 FOSA management team conference call weekly, with objective performance of 75% attendance
  • Provide adhoc assistance to the FOSA staff for invoicing and payment issues, with anticipated resource commitment of 2 hours per month
  • Present an annual budget to the Fiber Broadband Association by November 30 of the year
  • Update to the membership on FOSA financials at two face to face meetings per year (June and December), with performance objective of 100% attendance
  • Provide guidance and advice to the Vice Chair and Chair on daily/weekly FOSA activities and strategy
  • Support FOSA leadership at public events, external meetings or in conference calls (a few per year expected)

FOSA Vice-Chairman:

  • Provide guidance and advice to the Chairman on daily/weekly FOSA activities and strategy
  • Represent FOSA at public events, external meetings or in conference calls (1-2 per quarter expected)
  • Provide leadership in conference calls, meetings or other events where the Chairman cannot attend
  • Act as Board Liaison to the Committees, a key role which translates the wishes of the Chairman and the Board to the Committees and provides feedback, approving the Committee’s activities as well as oversees Board votes on approving Committee activities and outputs
  • Specific tasks as agreed with the Chairman and the management team, to manage particular projects or relationships with specific external stakeholders

FOSA Chairman:

Provide a strategic vision and planning for the Association through the year, liaising with the FOSA staff, Vice-Chairman and the Committee Chairs on the key goals of FOSA and its Committees. Drive this strategy through the year and adjust where necessary
Provide day to day decision making and oversight for the activities of the FOSA staff
Represent FOSA at public events, external meetings or in conference calls (1-2 per quarter expected)
Work with the Treasurer in budget planning and management through the year
Provide leadership in conference calls, meetings or other events
Represent FOSA in new member recruitment
Host a monthly member call update to the FOSA membership
Host a quarterly Board meeting, ensuring meeting decorum, providing updates to the Board, facilitating Board votes and following up with the Secretary on meeting minutes