Is running for an officer or board position right for you?
Would you like to give back to the Region by running for an officer or board position but don’t think you’d be running for the right reasons? Are you interested in taking on a new role but not sure if you're qualified? Are you passionate about the profession of research administration but don't think you're ready to help move it forward?
If you are a good listener, if you are organized and flexible, and if you are interested in giving back to the organization, then you ARE ready!
Just ask Region IV's past board officers and members:
Question: Am I running for the right reasons?
Answer: There is no “right” reason to run for an officer or board position!
We asked past officers and Board members what made them decide to run for their positions… Here’s what they had to say:
Question: Am I qualified?
Answer: YES!
We asked past officers and board members what knowledge, skills, and experiences they relied on to succeed in their positions. In other words, what did it take to be effective? Spoiler alert: You don’t need super powers…or even a cape.
Question: Am I ready?
Answer: What are you waiting for? Put your professional development on the fast track and help advance an organization that you believe in, and while you’re at it, reap the many, many benefits of getting involved. Don’t believe us? Read on…
If you are a good listener, if you are organized and flexible, and if you are interested in giving back to the organization, then you ARE ready!
Just ask Region IV's past board officers and members:
Question: Am I running for the right reasons?
Answer: There is no “right” reason to run for an officer or board position!
We asked past officers and Board members what made them decide to run for their positions… Here’s what they had to say:
- I thought I would wait and run a bit later in my career as I had a young family (and even added a kid my chair year), but the election worked out that I was going to experience it sooner! I knew when running that the Board was very strong and very invested in the health of the Region, so I did feel like I was going in with a fabulous support network and strong leadership from others. It is definitely never an “n of 1.” -- Heather Offhaus, Chair-Elect 2004-05, Chair 2005-06
- My decision to run for Secretary was two-fold: One, I was just ending my term as an at-Large board member. I felt like I had just gotten my feet wet re: regional board make-up and how it operated, and I desired to learn more. Being fairly new to the region, I didn’t know a lot of people on the board or in the region, so my second reason for running for Secretary was to meet new people! -- Tricia Callahan, Secretary 2014-15
- The main reason was to give back to the organization. In addition to the professional development and networking that membership in NCURA provides to everyone, I was also selected for the Leadership Development Institute in 2009, and after that experience I developed a personal commitment to being involved in the life of the organization. -- Jeff Ritchie, Chair-Elect 2011-12, Chair 2012-13
Question: Am I qualified?
Answer: YES!
We asked past officers and board members what knowledge, skills, and experiences they relied on to succeed in their positions. In other words, what did it take to be effective? Spoiler alert: You don’t need super powers…or even a cape.
- You don’t have to be a director or manager to be considered qualified. You don’t need to know it all. You can be from a PUI or a large multi-million-dollar institution. All you need is sincerity and drive and you will be a positive force -- because that is your goal. -- Sue Kelch, Chair-Elect 2013-14, Chair 2014-15
- To succeed, it took patience, thoughtfulness, and a little organization on my part – but mostly it took the ability to listen to others and help crystallize a direction for the region, even if only for a year. It is one part Hippocratic Oath (do no harm); 8 parts good conversation and shared vision; and maybe 1 part creativity and luck to pull it off. -- Heather Offhaus, Chair-Elect 2004-05, Chair 2005-06
- It takes organizational skills to be Secretary. It is important that you listen for key items that need to be communicated back to the region and to mark “to do” items that come out of the board meetings... Finally, reading the regional by-laws is key to understanding any position and the expectations that follow. -- Tricia Callahan, Secretary 2014-15
Question: Am I ready?
Answer: What are you waiting for? Put your professional development on the fast track and help advance an organization that you believe in, and while you’re at it, reap the many, many benefits of getting involved. Don’t believe us? Read on…
- The benefits have been exponential. I got to know a lot of colleagues in the region, it put me in a position to help cultivate talent for the region, and it helped me feel like the impact I could have was significant… It also let me cut my teeth on a level of leadership that led to more significant roles on my campus. I think it was the skills I had to practice as Chair that gave me constructive feedback loops in a well-supported, safe environment that led to the confidence that I have. -- Heather Offhaus, Chair-Elect 2004-05, Chair 2005-06
- I find everything I have done for NCURA has benefited me either personally (friendships) and/or professionally; that’s the glory of NCURA. Being Secretary gave me insights as to what it would take if I ever wanted to run for regional Chair... The largest benefit was to expand my network of colleagues and friends. -- Tricia Callahan, Secretary 2014-15
- On a personal level, some of my best friends are research administrators, and most of my closest ones are the people who served on the Board with me during that period in my career... On a professional level, the management skills I developed while serving on the Board have been vital to my professional development… I seriously can't say enough about how I've benefited from my involvement on the Board. -- Jeff Ritchie, Chair-Elect 2011-12, Chair 2012-13