Become a Board Member

Nominations to the International Association of Professional Farriers (IAPF) Board of Directors are now OPEN.  Nominations for the next Election will close on November 1, 2022.  There will be an opening for two (2) Director positions.:

1. Director- Chairperson Credentialing Committee
2. Director - Chairperson Education Committee

The term of office shall be for three years (2023, 2024, and 2025) for each of these positions. If you have questions, please contact Nominating and Elections Committee Chairperson Cathy Lesperance APF-I at 519-572-9774 cathylesperance@wightman.ca

Be on the Board?  No way! . . . But wait, maybe . . . just maybe there might be some benefits you get from being on the Board besides getting a chance to help the IAPF grow and guide the direction that IAPF takes in its long-range planning.

Here's what one Board member of another association said when asked about his experience on that Board:  "Fun, educational, opportunity to travel and see other parts of the country as well as other facilities, learn how a board works and be a part of one, learn the ins and outs of a well managed non-profit business, learn about parliamentary procedures, meet many other quality people all with a common goal for the association.  Being on the board is not a hard thing to do. You need to be able to commit the time to be at the meetings and do some work in between meetings." 

So you decide that you want to get involved with the IAPF and be a Board member. What do you do now?  Actually, it's very simple.

Candidates for all Board positions (Directors and Officers) shall:

• Have been a professional farrier or veterinarian for at least ten (10) years, and
• Be a current Accredited Professional Farrier who has successfully completed the IAPF Foundation Credential (APF-I), a DVM, a VMD or other professional veterinarian designation.

CLICK HERE to Learn about the "Expectations of Board Nominees" (required to be read and understood by all nominees)

CLICK HERE to Nominate Yourself for the IAPF Board of Directors - NOMINATIONS CLOSE NOVEMBER 1

Some of the things that the Nominating Committee looks for are special skills or expertise in the areas of fundraising, finances, business, public relations, technology, legal, horse industry, or mission specific, professional background, other professional affiliations, other board services, special interests or hobbies. The objective of board recruitment is to find willing, able, and committed board members.
 

• How do you know if a candidate is going to be the right person for your board?
• What are some of the questions the Nominating Committee will ask our potential board members?
• Why are you interested in our organization?
• Why are you specifically interested in serving on a board?
• Do you have any previous board service, leadership, or volunteer experience? Are you presently serving on other boards?
• What kinds of skills or expertise can you offer? How will the organization benefit from your participation? How do you think we could best take advantage of your expertise?
• What do you expect us to do for you so that your experience turns out to be satisfying?
• What kind of time and financial commitment will you be able to make?
• Are you willing to serve on committees and task forces?

Can we expect you to attend board meetings regularly? The IAPF Board meets monthly via conference call.  In addition, we try to hold two face-to-face meetings per year - one in the winter, one in the summer.  Attendance at the International Hoof-Care Summit in Cincinnati (where our Winter Board Meeting and Annual Meeting is held) is required.

Would you be able to make a personal financial commitment? (Travel and lodging expenses for Board members will be the responsibility of the individual Board members.  Some of these expenses may be covered. You should plan to spend approximately $5,000 + or - per year.)

Some of the personal characteristics the Nominating Committee needs to consider:
 

• Ability to: listen, analyze, think clearly and creatively, and work well with people individually and in a group.
• Willing to: prepare for and attend board and committee meetings, ask questions, take responsibility and follow through on a given assignment, contribute personal and financial resources in a generous way according to circumstances, open doors in the community, evaluate oneself.

Develop certain skills if you do not already possess them, such as to: cultivate and solicit funds, cultivate and recruit board members and other volunteers, read and understand financial statements, learn more about the substantive program area of the organization.

Possess honesty, sensitivity to and tolerance of differing views, a friendly, responsive, and patient approach, community-building skills, personal integrity, a developed sense of values, concern for IAPF's development, a sense of humor.

Some of the responsibilities of the individual board members are to attend all board and committee meetings, be informed about the organization's mission, services, policies, and programs, review agenda and supporting materials prior to board and committee meetings, serve on committees and offer to take on special assignments, keep up-to-date on developments in the organization's field, follow conflict of interest and confidentiality policies and assist the board in carrying out its fiduciary responsibilities, such as reviewing the organization's annual and monthly financial statements.

Being an IAPF Board Member can be a very worthwhile experience. We hope to see your name on the ballot!