Member-at-Large, Board of Directors

The major functions of the Board of Directors are as follows. Individual directors will be expected to contribute their expertise and energy to the execution of these functions.  

• Serve on at least two to three committees and actively engage in the work of the association.
• Uphold NAFSA’s vision, mission, and values, including NAFSA’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion 
• Set broad policies, direction, and priorities for the association.
• Ensure NAFSA has highly effective leadership.
• Actively assist the Governance Committee in identifying prospective board members.
• Provide fiduciary oversight of the association.
• When appropriate, identify prospective sources of financial support or business partnerships and work with staff to determine strategies for approaching such prospects.
• Maintain the integrity of the programs, products, and services developed for the benefit of the association.
• Make an annual financial contribution to the Association, in keeping with your personal giving situation and plans.
• Attend all board meetings. When professional duties make it impossible to attend in person, board members can participate virtually. 

In exercising these functions, directors serve as individuals, not as representatives of their organizations, institutions, or constituent groups. In addition to these functions, board members are asked to serve on various committees and task forces during their terms.  Board standing committees include Organizational Advancement, Scholarship and Institutional Strategy, Finance and Audit, Governance, Professional Development and Engagement, Public Policy, and Endowment.

The term of the office is three years. In each year of tenure, the director is expected to attend all board meetings (Example for 2023: March, September, and December in person, and any special meetings). Upon election, incoming directors will attend virtual orientation sessions in November and after the December meeting of the Board of Directors, prior to the start of their term. NAFSA’s Board of Directors typically meets three times a year. The meetings are held in Washington, DC.  When professional duties make it impossible to attend in person, board members can participate virtually. 

Board Members are encouraged to attend NAFSA’s annual advocacy event. Board members are expected to attend the NAFSA Annual Conference and Expo. The conference is held in May (just after Memorial Day) and the location varies. Travel expenses for these board functions are covered by NAFSA. 

First time board members who have not been to Washington Leadership Meeting (WLM) and would like to attend once, are invited. Regional Conferences take place yearly from October to November. Board members may be asked to attend a Regional Conference to represent the Board each fall. Board committees meet prior to each in-person Board meeting. Directors on committees can expect two to three additional virtual meetings during the course of the year.  

Directors are expected to review email daily and respond promptly. 
 

Required Qualifications

• Excellent communication strategies and skills 
• Strong interpersonal, inter-group, and cross-cultural skills
• Previous experience on an educational or non-profit board of directors with demonstrated/documented fiduciary responsibility
• Willingness and availability to travel
• Prior experience in a management position that required strategic and operational planning 
• Commitment to advancing the field of international education
• Experience managing budgets
• Understanding of fiduciary responsibility
• Demonstrates commitment to diversity and inclusion efforts
• Does not serve in a similar position on another higher education board.

Desired Qualifications 

• Familiarity with non-profit finance, audit reporting, and/or development.
• Good grasp of NAFSA activities and leadership in the past five years—served on high level task forces or led committees, experience at both regional and national levels