Call for Board NominationsCall for Nominations

SOAP is accepting candidates for the 2023-2024 Board of Directors now through February 7, 2023. We are seeking highly qualified and diverse leaders, ensuring the society is a welcoming environment for every member and reflecting our core values of diversity and inclusion. Available roles and other details are described below.

Responsibilities

In addition to running high-level projects as leaders or members of various committees, general responsibilities of the Board include:

  • Leadership and governance
  • Strategy and policy development
  • Determination of key performance measures and results
  • Budget setting, resource allocation and risk mitigation
  • Stewardship, ethics and financial integrity

Positions Available

To be eligible, candidates must self-nominate (see below), provide all required information, must be current on dues, and must be ACTIVE members of SOAP. Previous service on a committee or other SOAP volunteer opportunity is preferred but not required. Each role has specific required/recommended experience for prospective candidates to consider.

  • Vice President – elected by the membership
    • This position is a three-year commitment, including one year as Vice President, followed by one year as President, and one year as Immediate Past President.
    • Significant knowledge of SOAP and our strategic priorities is required.
    • The Vice President presides over meetings in the temporary absence or by request of the President and spearheads special initiatives as directed by the Board. The term as Vice President is an opportunity to gain understanding of and prepare for the responsibilities of the presidency. The Vice President automatically succeeds to the role of President after the completion of his/her/their term. The Vice President co-chairs the Nominating Subcommittee with the Secretary.
  • Secretary – appointed by the Board of Directors
    • This position is a three-year commitment and chairs the Governance Committee.
    • Prior service on the Governance Committee or similar leadership experience is helpful.
    • This role oversees governance initiatives and governance policies, maintains the bylaws, works with the staff to ensure that minutes are kept, ensures proper notice is provided for Board meetings and membership meetings, monitors parliamentary processes, helps hold leaders accountable for expected behaviors and responsibilities, and is the custodian of the society’s records and data, and assists staff in triaging questions on obstetric anesthesia from members and the public.
  • Director from Community Practice – elected by the membership
    • This position is a three-year commitment.
    • This role represents the perspectives of their peers, while still focusing on the best interest of the society, and is expected to serve on assigned committees and lead or contribute to specific initiatives as requested.
  • Director from Academic Practice – elected by the membership
    • This position is a three-year commitment.
    • This role represents the perspectives of their peers, while still focusing on the best interest of the society, and is expected to serve on assigned committees and lead or contribute to specific initiatives as requested.
  • Director with Less than 15 Years in Practice – elected by the membership
    • This position is a three-year commitment.
    • This role represents the perspectives of their peers, while still focusing on the best interest of the society, and is expected to serve on assigned committees and lead or contribute to specific initiatives as requested.
  • Annual Meeting and Live Events Chair – appointed by the Board of Directors
    • This position is a three-year commitment and chairs the Annual Meeting and Live Events Committee.
    • Prior service on the Annual Meeting and Live Events Committee or similar leadership service is helpful.

    • This role chairs the committee for programmatic elements of the Annual Meeting and other CME events. Committee chairs are expected to:
      ▪ Develop an annual action plan to define committee activities and resource needs
      ▪ Report to the Board on committee activities, planned initiatives, and accomplishments
      ▪ Maintain oversight of aligned subcommittees and task forces, if any
      ▪ Create visibility of the committee, subcommittees, and any work products

How to Nominate

Self-nomination is required and demonstrates your willingness to engage as a leader. Please complete the self-nomination form on or before February 7. The form also requires a CV/bio sketch, a recent photo, brief responses to the following questions:

  • What do you hope to accomplish in this role?
  • Please describe the specific qualities and capabilities that will make you the best candidate for this role?
  • What makes our society’s mission meaningful to you?
  • Why do you want to serve on the Board of Directors?
  • Describe your previous service to SOAP

You are welcome to express interest in more than one position. However, you can only apply once, so please give careful consideration to your responses and ensure all information is correct and complete before you submit the form. Only self-nominations are accepted; if you would like to support the candidacy of another member, please encourage them to apply and feel free to submit a letter of recommendation separately.

Apply Now (Active Members Only)

Timeline

The deadline to apply is February 7 at 11:59 pm Eastern. The Nominating Subcommittee will select a slate of candidates and notify candidates in February/March. A vote of SOAP members will be held by virtual means beginning in mid-March. 

Terms

Terms will begin July 1, 2023, and end June 30, 2026 (including the Vice President, as part of the three-year commitment to Vice President, President and Immediate Past President at one year each). Board orientation will be held in June as a virtual presentation.

Voting/Appointment Process

The Nominating Subcommittee will review all self-nominations and select a slate of candidates for all positions, to be elected through a member vote or appointed through action of the Board as described above. The Nominating Subcommittee will vet the candidates with a focus on a highly qualified and diverse Board, reflecting these attributes: 

  • Qualifications for and ability to contribute to the Board and specific role(s)
  • Demonstrated leadership, character, collaboration, and respectful discourse
  • Elements of diversity and inclusiveness