The ACS Board of Directors take an active role as leaders, advising on matters of strategic import and organizational policy, serving on committees and task forces, developing future leaders, and working with staff and volunteers to foster a vibrant, passionate, and knowledgeable cheese community. Learn more about Board service in the ACS Bylaws.
Learn more about the Board Nomination Process
Eligibility
ACS values and seeks diverse leadership as defined by race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, nationality, disability, appearance, geographic location, and professional level. It seeks leaders from all types and sizes of eligible organizations.
The ACS Nominating Committee has identified a number of desired attributes that inform the selection process for nominees. Potential nominees should possess:
- Demonstrated leadership commitment and involvement with ACS and the cheese community. Examples include: serving on ACS committees, participation in ACS events, serving in volunteer roles at conference, local involvement in your professional community.
- Recognized leadership in the cheese community. Examples include: serving as chair or president of a guild or related group; serving on ACS committees; or working with philanthropic organizations.
- Relevant expertise in industry and in the disciplines of organizational management in areas such as: branding, media relations, finance, strategic alliances, and non-profit structure.
- Positive leadership attributes, emotional intelligence, the ability to work collaboratively and engage in appropriate debate and discussion when needed. A strong commitment to uphold the vision, spirit, and ideals of the organization. Visionary and strategic drive to follow through on ACS’s Strategic Plan.
- Collaborative approach to consensus-building and decision-making with ability to “speak with one voice” on board decisions.
- Discretion and diplomacy.
Governance
Learn more about Board service in the ACS Bylaws.
Time commitment
Directors serve one 3-year term with the potential to be re-appointed to a second 3-year term based on recommendation of Executive Committee and approval by full Board. Each year of service begins and ends at the ACS Annual Conference. Board members are eligible for consideration to serve on the Executive Committee after their first full year of Board service.
Nominees should be willing and able to commit the required time to this important service role including:
- Ability to participate in all board meetings.
- Willingness to chair and/or serve on at least one ACS Committee.
- Nominee’s employer must have a clear understanding of this commitment, and fully support nominee’s service.
The board meets in person 3 times each year which includes:
- 2-3 day Fall Meeting in Denver, CO (travel expenses paid by ACS)
- 1-day Spring Meeting, in May on the day prior to Judging and Competition in Minneapolis. Board members are also requested to volunteer for 1-2 additional days for J&C (travel expenses paid by ACS).
- 1-day Summer Meeting, the day prior to the ACS Annual Conference. (One hotel night covered by ACS for required early arrival in Conference city)
In addition, the Board currently meets via conference call for 1 1/2 – 2 hours every month when no in-person meeting occurs for updates, discussion, and votes (3rd Tuesday at 11:00 am PT, no call is held in December).