The RV Industry Association (RVIA) Governance Committee has begun working on this year’s board of directors election.
Each year, this committee oversees and prepares a ballot of qualified RV industry leaders who are interested in running for one of the positions up for election. The election is held during the month of September and the results are announced in early October. Newly elected board members will begin serving their three-year terms on Jan. 1.
The board of directors is the highest-level authority in the association’s overall organizational structure and is responsible for setting and overseeing strategy and policies related to critical topics such as standards, marketing, government affairs, industry education, statistical data and finances. The nomination process is designed to identify strong candidates from member companies that are interested in upholding these responsibilities.
The makeup of the board consists of 12 directors elected by the association members, up to four directors appointed by the board (to include skillsets that provide value to the association) and the Immediate Past Chair (for continuity of knowledge). In addition, former board chairs that are still active in the industry are welcome to continue serving.
In addition to incumbents and candidates recruited by the Governance Committee, the RV Industry Association bylaws also provide a way for qualified persons to be nominated directly from the membership.
Such nominations must: (1) name a person who is engaged in an active managerial position with a voting class member company in good standing; (2) be submitted in writing; (3) be signed by the official representatives of at least three other member companies from the same voting class; and (4) received not later than 5 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, July 19. All properly submitted nominees will be reviewed by the governance committee and qualified nominees will be added to the final ballot. Send completed written nominations to Bob Schmitt, RV Industry Association vice president and general counsel, at rschmitt@rvia.org.
Here are some quick facts about the RV Industry Association board of directors:
How many elected members sit on the Board?
The RV Industry Association bylaws state that the board of directors will have 12 elected director seats. These are drawn from the following classifications: six RV manufacturers, one park model RV manufacturer and five suppliers.
How often does the board meet?
The board normally meets at least three times a year: in March at the RV Industry Leadership Conference, in June during RVs Move America Week in Washington, D.C., and in November at the RV Dealers Association Convention in Las Vegas. Several board conference call meetings may also be held, as the need arises.
What qualifications are required?
Candidates must be engaged in an active managerial position and employed by a voting class member company in good standing with the RV Industry Association. To be in good standing, a member must have all its association dues and assessments paid up to date and not be in a suspended status. Persons employed by associate, manufacturer’s representative, or honorary member entities are not eligible to run.
How long are board terms?
Terms are for three years, with a maximum of three consecutive elected terms allowed.
