January 2004 Board Elections
The Ozark Trail Association is a volunteer
support organization for the long-distance Ozark Trail. We are a grass-roots group established in December of 2003 to
assist land stewards in the construction, maintenance, and promotion
of the Ozark Trail by harnessing the volunteer spirit of trail
users.
The Association is managed by its Board of
Directors, with input from its membership. The existing Board will elect new Directors this January.
We will hold an informational meeting for potential Directors on
Tuesday, November 11th, 7pm at Powder Valley Nature Conservation
Center in Kirkwood, Missouri.
Duties of A Board Member
There are currently two levels of
participation: the Advisory Board and the Executive
Board.
All Directors are members of the Advisory Board, which meets
four times a year to establish and monitor the major directives of
the OTA. The Executive
Board is comprised of Advisory Board members who manage the
day-to-day affairs of the Association, and it meets at least once a
month.
Advisory Board Director Responsibilities
- Attend
at least three of the four quarterly Board Meetings (the board
meets on Saturday mornings at revolving locations near the Ozark
Trail)
- Assist in establishing annual goals for the OTA
- Provide guidance to the Executive Board
- Actively participate in meeting discussions
- Vote on Board motions
- Be a goodwill ambassador for the Ozark Trail and the OTA
The Advisory Board has up to 20 Directors who
serve three-year terms. 1/3 of all Directors are elected each year.
Executive Board Responsibilities
- Baseline responsibilities are the same as Advisory Board Directors
- Manages the day-to-day affairs of the Ozark Trail Association
- Transacts usual business, including payments, collections, contracts, and
communications
- Maintains Association records, including accounting systems
- Interfaces directly with Ozark Trail land stewards
- Monitors and directs committees
- The Executive Board meets at least monthly
The Executive Board consists entirely of Advisory Board members.
The Executive Board is selected by the Advisory Board and can change
over time.
OTA Board Director 10-Point List
What are a Director's tasks? It all comes down to the OTA’s Mission
Statement-- to develop, maintain, preserve,
promote and protect the rugged, natural beauty of the
Ozark Trail. Here are 10 major tasks of the Board as
derived from our Mission Statement:
Develop
1) New trail construction
Maintain
2) Existing trail maintenance
3) Trail improvements (trailheads, signage, established campgrounds)
Preserve & Protect
4) Biodiversity
protection
5) Backcountry experience
6) Leave No Trace
Promote
7) Public
meetings & events
8) Publish articles in newspapers & magazines
9) Association / OT news via website & newsletters
10) Promotional materials such as brochures, maps, books,
flyers
How to Become a Director
If you agree with our Mission Statement, have
the desire to help, and can commit to the Board schedule, you might
consider becoming a Board Director.
Your first step is to attend an informational meeting with the
existing board, after which you make a request to be placed on the
ballot for the January election. Our next meeting of
the Board will be November 11th, 2003, 7pm at Powder Valley.
RSVP by emailing John Roth
or calling (573) 436-0540.
Any Ozark Trail Association members can become a
Director. The current Board members vote on the new Directors
at the Annual Meeting in January.
Contact John Roth for further information,
including a schedule of alternative meeting dates.
|
