By Mary Christianson, Past President, Charlotte Ski and Snowboard Club

As Past President, and as current member of the Nominating Committee, I would love to give a quick overview of club leadership and opportunities. Please read on for the skinny (not to be confused with skinny skis — we’re not THAT kind of club!). The elections are coming up again in April 2024, so it is time to start thinking of where you can fit in. If you want to know more, read the club’s Handbook (club website login required) and feel free to contact me or any of the board members.

The Charlotte Ski and Snowboard Club (CSSC) is like many nonprofit social clubs — the success of the club depends on the volunteers who manage it, and on the input provided by club members. There are two main ways to volunteer formally: by election to the club’s five-member Executive Board, or by leading a committee. We have committees working all the time on Trips, Newsletter, Social, Racing, Membership, and more—These are organized by the President and operate under the direction of a chairperson who attends board meetings.

How Much Work Is It?

So what does that look like, in terms of time and skills? There are monthly board meetings, running about one and a half hours long. (After one and a half hours, cameras start to go dark, and, at least for me, attention turns to Facebook and nail-filing.)

This is what our board meetings generally look like, using Google Meet or other virtual meeting application, when not meeting in person.

The expectation is that all elected board members and committee chairs attend and participate; however, life happens and arrangements can be made on the occasions a board member might have to be absent. The President does the heavy-lifting by setting the agenda and moderating the meeting. The sample agenda below shows how much ground can get covered in one meeting.

A typical CSSC board meeting agenda

How Much Time Does it Take?

In addition to the monthly board meetings, each board member and committee chair works in their own area. For many of the positions (elected or committee), just a couple of hours a month do the job. For the President’s position, it can take over 20 hours a month, depending on how organized (and/or obsessive!) you are, and also depending on time of year. The time commitment ranges widely between the committee positions, with Trips committee chair probably having the largest role (5–15 hours a month). However, as an elected board member or committee chair, there are perks! You get to participate in club decision-making, and you get a discount on Club Trips plus free annual membership during service. 

Four Elected Executive Board Positions

Since the club was founded in 1963, members of the club have elected four executive board members every Spring: President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary (with the fifth executive board position being Past President). A Nominating Committee considers current board members and new candidates, making sure that there is at least one candidate for each of the four elected board positions, and the candidates meet certain basic requirements.

Please read on for details for each position and requirements, hopefully in the spirit of volunteership! If you aren’t quite prepared to run for one of the positions this spring, then please contact a member of the nominating committee or a board member about apprenticing for a position. Board membership is a great opportunity to learn about the club, to shape its direction and to develop your leadership skills. In my case, I was initially very uncomfortable with public speaking; serving as president helped me to become much more confident with a microphone.

For each of the elected positions sketched out below, there is a detailed explanation of the role in the club’s Policies and Procedures Handbook (club website login required). 

President

Prerequisites: two years active membership; ideally one year as Vice President

Helpful background: leadership skills, public speaking, connection-making skills

Typical time needed each month in addition to the monthly board meeting: 30–40 hours

The President helps set a course for each year of his/her presidency, assigning committees and chairpersons, managing the budget and expenses, overall club communications, setting programs for club meetings, and running board meetings, and ensuring that everything gets done and tracked. Internally, the President leads meetings, resolves conflicts, and promotes a positive and inclusive culture. The President inspires active member involvement and fosters a sense of community within the club. 

Vice President

Prerequisites: one year active membership 

Helpful background: previous CSSC board or committee role, leadership skills or interest, public speaking, people skills

Typical time needed each month in addition to the monthly board meeting: 10–15 hours

The Vice President (VP) works with the President, both as assistant and as apprentice, with an eye to filling the role of President in the future. This helps to ensure continuity within the club. In addition, the VP can represent the President in his or her absence. The VP may also assist the Treasurer or Secretary as needed, and as his/her experience allows.

Treasurer

Prerequisites: one year active membership, demonstrated integrity, corporate management or bookkeeping/accounting background

Helpful background: finance, accounting or bookkeeping, attention to detail, ability to oversee, manage and track incoming and outgoing payments, proximity to south Charlotte, in order to manage the club’s Post Office box.

Typical time needed each month in addition to the monthly board meeting: 5–10 hours

The Treasurer is responsible for accounting and bookkeeping, managing the club physical checkbook (which is still in use in some industries!), reporting monthly on bank and credit account balances, reviewing budgets and managing reimbursements, and filing annual taxes. The Treasurer also picks up, opens, and distributes club mail from the club’s PO Box, or appoints a club representative to do so. 

Secretary

Prerequisites: one year active membership, commitment to board meetings 

Helpful background: writing or editing, file management, attention to detail

Typical time needed each month in addition to the monthly board meeting: 5–10 hours

The Secretary keeps the minutes for every board meeting, or delegates to another board member. The Secretary maintains archives of board minutes, all finalized versions of the Bylaws and Handbook, annual Membership lists, a summary of the annual budget, and other important historical records. The Secretary should become familiar with the club bylaws, and ensure that the board follows requirements of notifications to the membership. 

Why Do Our Nominating Committee Members Think You Should Run?

Watch our video on YouTube to hear more from Dale, Mary, Alisa, Renee, and Janet!

What’s In It for Me?

Please consider either running for one of the positions this year, or setting your sights on a position for future years’ elections. The positions are held for one year, so there are opportunities each year to run, nominate someone else, or simply to learn more about who you would like to set a course for the club for the coming year.

FAQs

Q: Who are the current executive board members? 

A: A list of the current executive board members is on the club website in the About Us section.

Q: Do we have a list of those who served in the past?

A: That would be fantastic! Any club member ready to step up to draw this history up? 

Q: Where can I find a full list of committees and committee chairs?

A: A list of the current club committees and committee chairs is on the club website in the About Us section.