Statement of Purpose
The Nominating Committee of the Southwest Section of the United States Tennis Association (USTA) invites you to submit an application for the USTA Southwest Board of Directors and/or Nominating Committee. The term of service is two years commencing on Jan. 1, 2024, and ending on Dec. 31, 2025.
Applications must be completed and submitted electronically no later than midnight PST, May 15th, 2023. Once completed, the applications will be submitted to the current Nominating Committee.
All positions are on a volunteer basis.
DUTY AND GOALS OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE:
The Nominating Committee shall make one nomination for each of the following positions and shall submit names of nominees on the slate pursuant to the terms set forth in SWS Bylaws.
- Board nominees: The committee shall select qualified nominees for the Offices of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and a maximum of up to six qualified Directors-at- Large for the next term.
- Nominating Committee nominees: The committee shall select one nominee for the Chairperson of the Nominating Committee for the next term from among the current Members of the committee and shall select qualified nominees for up to an additional six Regional Members of the committee for the next term.
- Every effort should be made to select highly qualified individuals for all positions on the slate; and to achieve the best possible Regional balance on the Board and Nominating Committee.
The Nominating Committee may seek feedback from individuals familiar with an applicant’s performance in the roles listed on the application.
Review of Process
- The Nominating Committee will review all candidate applications. This is a competitive process. Following a review of the applications, candidates may be requested to participate in a telephonic/video or in-person interview. The selection process is based on many factors.
All applicants will be notified regarding the status of their candidacy no later than the end of September 2023. Nominees selected for the slate will be notified by phone by a member of the Nominating Committee.
Note: If you currently serve as a SWS officer and wish to continue service in the same or different capacity, you must reapply.
USTA Southwest Board Roles and Responsibilities
Officers. The Officers shall include the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Delegate
a) President. The President shall be the Chair of the Board. The President shall, when present, preside at all meetings of the SWS Membership, the Board and the Executive Committee. The President shall appoint all committee chairpersons and committee members whose appointments are not otherwise provided for in these Bylaws and shall be a non-voting ex officio member of all committees except the Audit Committee, Grievance Committee, and the Nominating Committee. The President, with approval by the Board, shall be authorized to employ a CEO.
Time Commitment: Approximately 10 hours a week; In person Section Board meetings typically in May and November; In person National Leadership meetings twice a year (typically March and September/US Open); Board conference calls monthly/bimonthly; Executive Committee meetings as needed
b) Vice President. The Vice President shall assist the President in the performance of the President’s duties; shall exercise all the powers of the President in the absence of the President, or in case of the President’s resignation, incapacity or death; shall serve as Parliamentarian at all meetings of the SWS; and shall perform other duties as may be assigned by the President.
Time Commitment: Approximately 5 hours a week; In person Section Board meetings typically in May and November; Board conference calls monthly/bimonthly; Executive Committee meetings as needed; Committees and Task Force as assigned by President
c) Secretary. The Secretary shall monitor the keeping of a roster of all members and the names and addresses of all members of the Board. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings and records of all proceedings and committee reports; shall certify the voting strength and the presence of a quorum at all meetings of the Membership, the Board, and the Executive Committee; shall assist the SWS office in sending notices for all meetings of the Membership, the Board, and the Executive Committee; and shall perform other duties as may be assigned by the President.
Time Commitment: Approximately 5 hours a week; In person Section Board meetings typically in May and November; Board conference calls monthly/bimonthly; Executive Committee meetings as needed; Committees and Task Force as assigned by President
d) Treasurer. The Treasurer shall monitor the financial management of the SWS; however, the CEO shall carry out the operational duties. The Treasurer shall assist the CEO with the preparation of the annual budget and ensure proper budgetary processes are followed and shall distribute the budget for the succeeding year to the Board prior to the Annual Meeting of the Board. Whenever required by the Board, the Treasurer shall render or cause to be rendered a statement of the SWS’s Southwest Section accounts.
The Treasurer shall perform all duties incident to the office of Treasurer and other duties as may be assigned by the President. The accounts of the SWS shall be audited by a certified public accountant annually. Treasurer will receive significant support from the accounting department of the USTA SWS.
Time Commitment: Approximately 5 hours a week; In person Section Board meetings typically in May and November; Board conference calls monthly/bimonthly; Executive Committee meetings as needed; Committees and Task Force as assigned by President
e) Sectional Delegate. The Sectional Delegate shall be the Immediate Past President. The Sectional Delegate shall serve as the Sectional Delegate to the USTA, representing the SWS in matters before the USTA. The Delegate shall cast the vote(s) on behalf of the SWS at all Meetings of the USTA as instructed by the Board and is bound to follow such instructions. Lacking such instructions, or if a matter before the USTA is materially altered, the Section Delegate shall act in accordance with the best interests of SWS.
Time Commitment: Approximately 5 hours a week; In person Section Board meetings typically in May and November; In person National Leadership meetings twice a year (typically March and September/US Open); Board conference calls monthly/bimonthly; Executive Committee meetings as needed; Committees and Task Force as assigned by President
Directors-At-Large
A member of the Board "at large" has no specific duties unless assigned by the President of that Board or a Board committee but has the same rights and responsibilities as other board members.
Time Commitment: Approximately 5 hours a week; In person Section Board meetings typically in May and November; Board conference calls monthly/bimonthly; Committees and Task Force as assigned by President
ADDITIONAL BOARD MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES AND REQUIREMENTS
In addition to any responsibilities and/or requirements assigned to an individual Board Member in the Bylaws, all Board Members shall:
1. Be required to submit an annual Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form and be Safe Play and Safe Sport compliant;
2. Be 18 years of age (or older) and citizens of the United States;
3. Be an Individual Member in good standing of the USTA;
4. Be required to reside within the geographic boundaries of the SWS for at least 180 days each calendar year;
5. Serve without compensation;
6. Perform duties assigned to them by the SWS President or by a majority vote of the Board, provided that the duties are not inconsistent with the Bylaws, state or federal law, and the policies and procedures of the SWS; and;
7. Set the strategic vision for SWS and oversee the affairs of the SWS, including, but not limited to, the approval of the annual budget.
Governance: Volunteer leaders are responsible for the direction and future of the organization. The board acts and things strategically, setting goals and strategies for the future with input from members, stakeholders, staff, and committees. Leaders should avoid micromanagement of the organization, maintaining focus on mission, vision, values and goals.
Management: Paid staff is responsible for the administration of the organization. Staff acts as partners to the board, advancing the goals and strategies, while taking care of the daily administrative needs unique to the organization.
“The Board Governs, the Staff Manages”
Nominating Committee Time Commitment
During the two year term, Nominating Committee members are required to participate in all meetings and calls of the Nominating Committee as set forth by the Chair, recruit candidates for the slate, and participate in the vetting of candidates, you must reapply.