by Kort E Patterson, Editor
I mentioned in the last issue that the position of Regional Director is open. Apparently I was a bit too subtle in encouraging applicants since the response so far has been underwhelming.
Intertel's future depends not only on attracting new members, but also encouraging all of our members to participate in their organization - attend events, join one or more of our on-line forums, write letters and articles for our publications, and serve as officers. Intertel can only be what its members make it.
Intertel is a volunteer driven organization that depends on at least a minimum number of members being willing to provide its basic operating functions. Intertel is technically a corporation, and so serving as a regional director provides both an inside view of how our organization operates, as well as a potentially useful introduction to corporate structures and functions.
On another level, the involvement of a variety of members helps ensure that our organization doesn't fall prey to the egos and/or agendas of a clique of "inappropriately motivated" individuals. Check out "The One Percent Solution" for an example of what can happen when egos and agendas gain control. The best defense against repeating the mistakes of Intertel's past is for members to periodically volunteer for office out of a sense of service, rather than leave these positions of trust and responsibility to be filled by those who seek them for their own purposes.
The main qualifications for Regional Director are (1) basic common sense and personal integrity; (2) member in good standing for the last two years; (3) able to attend the Executive Board meeting at AGAs. Everything else can be easily learned on the job. (And don't forget the $300 stipend for participating in the AGA E-board meeting!)
A possible factor for those unsure about taking a shot at serving as RD is that the current term is already a third over. If you decide being RD isn't the right job for your skills and personality, you can exit honorably and gracefully after only two thirds as long as if you'd been elected to a full term. If you decide you like the job, you'll be well situated to run for your next full term as the incumbent.
So what's holding you back? Lack of experience? You won't be the only freshman on the board, and Intertel doesn't recognize seniority in the handing out prestigious committee chairmanships. (Does Intertel even have any prestigious committees??) Intimidated by corporate procedures and Robert's Rules of Order? If you've somehow managed to come to terms with dressing yourself in the right order (underwear first then outerwear...), you should also be capable of figuring out board room procedures in the first couple of minutes of your first board meeting.
Worried that you won't be able to resist the allure of power? Contrary to rumor, Intertel isn't a global conspiracy to take over the world. Board members are primarily concerned with managing the nuts and bolts of the business aspects of our organization - hardly an appropriate foundation from which to launch a bid for world domination.
On the other hand, being able to spice up your resume with experience as a director on the board a four decade old international corporation, just might help get you a job in one of the mega multinationals that are trying to take over the world...