Discussion: OUSA Board Candidate Referrals

Orienteering USA is seeking highly motivated candidates to serve as Directors of Orienteering USA for a three-year term 2011-2014. With our new Executive Director and strategic plan in place, this is an exciting time to participate in leading our organization. Candidates will be elected at the OUSA Annual General Meeting in August.

We seek a diverse pool of candidates who may have financial or legal experience, experience with international orienteering competition, experience in establishing and running OUSA chartered orienteering clubs, or experience working with groups such as Scouts or JRTOC. Bottom line, we need people with a serious commitment to orienteering. The most important qualities are a willingness to serve nationally and to work hard to move Orienteering USA in the direction as set out by the new Strategic Plan.

Directors are expected to attend approximately four Board meetings per year (phone attendance is often an option). Each Director is responsible for overseeing a component of the OUSA Strategic Plan. In addition, officers of Orienteering USA are elected by the Board from among its membership.

The Nominating Committee will follow up on all referrals by contacting the potential candidate. In addition to contact information, a short description of the candidate’s background should be included, if possible. All nominations will be treated confidentially. It is not necessary to seek the individual’s commitment before making a referral. If you’d like a formal referral form, contact me.

When considering who might be an excellent candidate for the Board, be creative and flexible in your thinking. Sometimes the best candidates are not the most obvious ones. We do seek a diverse board with a variety of competencies and experiences.

Please email the candidate referral to the Orienteering USA Nominating Committee, c/o Donna Fluegel at fluegeldonna@sbcglobal.net.

We've gotten a few referrals, but are still looking for more! Come on, put on those thinking caps! There are many people out there who would be absolutely great board members but we're a small committee and don't know everyone. Remember, the person does not have to be a serious "mover and shaker" or a top orienteer, just someone who loves orienteering and wants to see the sport move in the right direction.

Many people show up at Championship events where many of the board meetings occur. It is not a stretch to join the board and give time and talent to the process of directing the board. New ideas from a diverse group will help move the organization forward. If you have an interest, talk with a board member about what is required of a member. If you think you know someone who would be good for the sport of orienteering, talk to them and then make a nomination. We need people who have good ideas to help the board act on those good ideas. It takes time but if you are on the board, it is easier to move things forward than if you are just talking about things on the outside. You should ask, how can I help?