Become A Trustee

Founded in 1994 during the presidency of Charles Schroeder, the purpose of the ACPA Foundation (501c3 non-profit organization) is "to enhance the student affairs profession and to generate and disseminate knowledge of college students at all levels within higher education" (Article Three of the Articles of Incorporation). The organization is now known as the ACPA Foundation to more concisely communicate its role as the fundraising arm of ACPA - College Student Educators International.

The most compelling interest of the ACPA Foundation is the preparation of students for leadership roles in society. The essential work of the ACPA Foundation is to seek philanthropic support for ACPA initiatives involving research, scholarship, professional development, and leadership programs, as well as its own related initiatives. Such initiatives may focus specifically on students or on student affairs professionals.

The Foundation's focus on students includes projects that will enrich knowledge about formal and informal student learning. Out-of-class environments specific educational tactics that accelerate learning such as community service and strategic opportunities for learning such as peer group interactions are of special interest to the Foundation.

The Foundation's focus on student affairs' professionals includes projects that will enhance student affairs practitioners' educational influence by assisting new or transitional professionals to make important connections and commitments while visualizing future roles in the profession, by sustaining a learning community of professionals, and by expanding theoretical knowledge of the profession. The mission of the ACPA Foundation is to encourage activities that generate and disseminate new knowledge in the Student Affairs profession and that prepare students for leadership roles in a global society. In order to fulfill its purpose and mission, the Foundation seeks philanthropic support for ACPA initiatives involving research, scholarship and professional development and leadership program.

The responsibilities of ACPA Foundation Trustees fall into several broad categories. Generally, Trustee responsibilities include:

  • Creating and reviewing a statement of mission and purpose that articulates the Foundation’s goals, means, and primary constituents served
  • Assisting in developing the annual budget and ensuring that proper financial controls are in place
  • Providing adequate resources for the organization to fulfill its mission
  • Ensuring adherence to legal standards and ethical norms
  • Actively participating in an overall planning process and assisting in implementing and monitoring the plan’s goals
  • Recruiting and orienting new board members, assessing and comprehensively evaluating board performance
  • Clearly articulating the Foundation’s mission, accomplishments, and goals to the public and garnering support from the communities served by the Foundation
  • Determining which programs are consistent with the Foundation’s mission and monitor their effectiveness

Specifically, Trustees are charged with raising funds that support the academic research, professional development and educational programming.

Trustees will:

  • Determine the amount of the Foundation’s assets available for special projects
  • Determine the appropriate investment objectives and select a fund manager to achieve those objectives
  • Develop project proposals selection criteria, a solicitation plan, and an accountability plan
  • Develop a business plan which includes a strategic fund-raising plan, an investment plan, accounting procedures and a plan for soliciting and acknowledging gifts
  • Participate in an annual meeting in conjunction with the national ACPA convention and participate in other meetings or telephone conference calls as needed
  • Provide an annual report to the membership
  • Develop special categories of non-voting membership, corporate friends and sponsors

ELIGIBILITY

As a 501(c)(3) non‐profit organization, application to the ACPA Foundation Board is open to any current ACPA member.

AVAILABLE POSITIONS

President

The President has all the responsibilities of the chief executive officer of the Foundation. The President presides at meetings of the Board of Trustees and performs all duties customary to the office of President. The president supervises all of the affairs of the Foundation. The president oversees the Trustee recruitment, selection, and training processes.

  • Oversee Board and executive committee meetings
  • Call special meetings when necessary
  • Serve as ex-officio member of all committees
  • Appoint all committee chairs and recommend committees’ membership
  • Work in partnership with Foundation Trustees to ensure Board resolutions are carried out
  • Prepare agenda for Board meetings with Foundation members
  • Work with the nominating committee and the Vice President to recruit new board members
  • Assist Foundation Trustees and the Vice President in conducting new board member orientation
  • Periodically consult with Foundation Trustees on their roles and assist with any questions they might have about their responsibilities
  • Meet periodically with the ACPA President
  • Meet annually with the ACPA Executive Council
  • Submit the annual report of the Foundation to the ACPA Executive Council
  • Research funding sources available nationally or regionally and identify those which may be responsive to funding requests from the Foundation
  • As appropriate, arrange for personal appointments with prospective donors and corporate friends
  • Act as spokesperson for the organization

Vice President

In the absence of the President, the Vice President shall perform the duties of the President, and will have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President. The Vice President performs other duties as required Board of Trustees.

  • Chair the Fund Raising Committee
  • Conduct new board member orientation with President and Treasurer
  • Oversee the implementation of all recognition activities for donors and Diamond Honorees
  • Periodically review and assess recognition activities for their effectiveness, and recommend changes as needed
  • Recommend recognition activities for new categories of donors
  • Oversee all details of direct member appeals; approve any changes in processes
  • In the event of absence or inability of the President to perform his or her duties, assume the responsibilities of the President
  • Carry out other duties as may be assigned by the President

Secretary

The Secretary is responsible for keeping of an accurate record of all Foundation proceedings and meetings.-The Secretary coordinates electronic votes and records outcomes, publish special reports that require publication. The Secretary performs all duties customary to the office of Secretary, including recording, transcribing and distributing the minutes of each Foundation meeting, maintaining the document repository, Foundation Board of Trustees Manual, and Foundation Board Policies and Procedures Manual.

  • Keep an accurate record of the proceedings of all meetings of the Board of Trustees
  • Record votes
  • Give or cause to be given all notices in accordance with these Bylaws or as required by law
  • Publish special reports that require publication
  • Perform all duties customary to the office of Secretary

Treasurer

The Treasurer is responsible for all funds and securities. The Treasurer is responsible for developing a proposed budget, keep complete and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements of the Foundation, and deposit all monies. The Treasurer has the authority to expend funds appropriated in the budget approved by the Board of Trustees. The Treasurer creates and delivers the annual report to the Board of Trustees and membership.

  • Serve as financial officer of the Foundation and as Chairperson of the Finance Committee
  • Manage, with the Finance Committee, review of the Board and action related to the Board’s financial responsibilities
  • Work with Foundation Trustees to ensure that appropriate financial reports are made available to the Board on a timely basis
  • Prepare the annual budget and present the budget to the Board for approval with Foundation Trustee
  • Review the annual audit and answer Board members’ questions about the audit

Foundation Trustee

Individuals appointed to the ACPA Foundation Board who are not Retirees must have a minimum of seven (7) years of experience in Student Affairs and must maintain a level of responsibility on their campus of Director or higher. Invitations may be issued to individual or organizational members of ACPA who would be willing to participate in the activities of the Board by offering their time and an annual contribution of $1000 to the Foundation. All individual members of the ACPA Foundation Board must be members of ACPA. All Corporate members of the ACPA Foundation Board must either personally maintain an ACPA membership or their company must maintain an ACPA Corporate membership. Corporate members of the ACPA Foundation Board will be limited to 50% of the Board membership.

  • Attend all Board and committee meetings, functions and special events
  • Be informed about the Foundation’s mission, services, policies and programs
  • Review agenda and supporting materials prior to Board and committee meetings
  • Serve on committees or task forces and offer to take on special assignments
  • Each Trustee will make a personal financial contribution to the Foundation in addition to their dues
  • Solicit gifts on behalf of the foundation
  • Attend three board meetings per year

Foundation Trustee Associate

The role of the Associate is to provide additional support to the standing committees of the Board. Invitations may be issued to individual or organizational members of ACPA who would be willing to participate in the activities of the Board by offering their time and an annual contribution of $250 to the Foundation. Terms of service of the Associate may range from one to three years, according to the interest of the Associate.

Associates will be recognized along with the Board of Trustee members on all publications and web pages. They will be invited to attend all meetings or events to which Trustees have been invited. They will provide input into the work of the Board through participation at Board meetings and conference calls, and will vote on all matters related to the program of marketing and fundraising activities. They will not vote on the annual budget, bylaws amendments, selection of new Trustees or the election of officers to the Board.

  • Attend all Board and committee meetings, functions and special events
  • Be informed about the Foundation’s mission, services, policies and programs
  • Review agenda and supporting materials prior to Board and committee meetings
  • Serve on committees or task forces and offer to take on special assignments
  • Each Trustee Associate will make a personal financial contribution to the Foundation in addition to their dues
  • Solicit gifts on behalf of the foundation
  • Attend three board meetings per year
  • Serve as Trustee Associate for a three-year term

Trustee Financial Obligations

Each individual Trustee is responsible for making a minimum annual gift of at least $1000 to the ACPA Foundation. A company or campus may donate all or part of a Trustee’s $1000 dues obligation to the Foundation. Trustee Associates are obligated to contribute $250 to the Foundation annually. Trustees are responsible for submitting a plan each year (by January 30th) to the Treasurer outlining the payment schedule that the Trustee will use to pay their dues. Travel expenses are paid by the individual (or their institution/company). Trustees representing corporate members must maintain at least Bronze Level status throughout the term of their appointment.

Online Application Procedure

Please complete the following online application if you are interested in applying to be either an officer, or a Trustee/Trustee Associate.

The application timeline for Trustees, who will begin their term with the 2012 Convention is:

  • January 20, 2012 – Applications due for Trustee Associates
  • February 15, 2012 - Selection committee meets / New Trustee Associates announced
  • March 2, 2012 – Trustee Applications due
  • March, 2012 - New Trustees/Trustee Associates attend first meeting at convention