There are seven elected Executive Board positions. Board members are elected for a term of one year, not to exceed four consecutive years. Candidates for the board must be docents/volunteer members who are not employed at an AZADV organization or organizational affiliate member. AZADV members must be present at the delegates’ meeting for the election. The board elects one of its members to serve as chairperson for the term of the board and appoints a non-voting parliamentarian, whose job it is to advise the board on matters of parliamentary procedure.
Linda Kendzierski
Chair & Marketing/Communications Director
azadvpublicrelations@gmail.com
Conference Advisory Director since 2017
Responsibilities
- Time Commitment: > 10 hours per week.
- Recruits and works with conference hosts.
- Updates conference guidelines.
- Keeps records of past conferences.
- Sends most recent final report to elected hosts in the planning stages.
Bonne McGowan
Membership Chair
Membership Chair since 2021
Responsibilities
- Time Commitment: > 10–15 hours per week.
- Accurately maintains a database of members.
- Sends renewal notices and membership cards.
- Sends membership cards, bylaws, AZAD history and disruptive behavior rules to new members.
- Distributes roster updates to executive board monthly.
Steven Morrissey
Professional Development Director
New board position as of 2022
Responsibilities
- Time Commitment: >10–15 hours per week
- Plan and host educational webinars, topic discussions, AZADV book club, special events, writes articles for AZADV newsletter and media channels, manages conference presentation archives in collaboration with webmaster, promotes and facilitates member discussions in closed Facebook group and works closely with the marketing director, newsletter editor, webmaster, and graphic designer to advertise events.
- Responsible for publicizing the aims, objectives, and purposes of the association, building relationships with and serving as primary contact for zoo and aquariums, affiliated organizations, and AZADV delegates.
- Oversee and communicate the role and responsibilities of delegates, stay in regular communications with delegates, and plans and supervise the delegates meeting.
- Maintains AZADV’s reciprocity program.
- Works directly with the marketing director and the graphic designer.
- Shall perform such other duties as prescribed by bylaws.
Andrea Hunter
Newsletter Editor
azadvnewslettereditor@gmail.com
Newsletter Editor since 2021
Responsibilities
- Time Commitment: 30-40 hours per issue.
- Annually produces 4-5 issues.
- Establishs the production and mailing dates.
- Plans newsletter content.
- Solicits content, designs, and proofreads newsletter.
- Position requires strong word processing and design skills.
Kay Johnson
Treasurer
Treasurer Since 2021
Responsibilities
- Time Commitment: > 5 hours per week
- Is bonded.
- Maintains AZADV checking account and monitors investments.
- Manages cash flow and expenditures.
- Collects and deposit annual dues and all other funds.
- Develops annual budget.
- Prepares financial statements, bank reconciliation, and expenditure reports.
- Works closely with the membership chair regarding membership renewal and application forms
- Furnishs financial records annually to CPA for "Agreed Upon Procedures" report and preparation of annual association tax return.
- Checks biannually that the resident agent of Illinois is still active.
- Works closely with successor to ensure all final reports are completed and to facilitate a smooth transition.
- Knowledge of word-processing, Excel, and QuickBooks required.
- Position requires accounting and financial statement experience, preferably with not-for-profits.
Shari LaRue
Secretary
Topeka Zoo and COnservation Center
Secretary since 2021
Responsibilities
- Time Commitment: > 2.5 hours per week.
- Prepares agenda and travel schedules for Board meetings.
- Records the minutes of all board meetings and the annual delegates' meeting.
- Ensures that the abbreviated minutes of the annual Delegates’ Meeting are approved by board members before being read at the opening session of the annual conference.
- Maintains the AZADV Executive board, bylaws and rules committee, and the nominating committee Notebooks.
- Maintains an inventory of all AZADV-owned items.
- Notifies, in writing, all committee members of their election or appointment.
- Strong word processing skills required.
Patty Whitecotton
Parliamentarian
azadvparliamentarian@gmail.com
Parliamentarian since 2017
Responsibilities
- Advises the chair and other officers, committees, and/or members on matters of parliamentary procedure.
- Assists with questions throughout the year that may arise in interpreting bylaws and rules or in connection with the work of the executive board, and/or committees
- Must be available for consultation during the Executive Board Interim meeting and must attend the executive board meetings held in conjunction with the annual conference. Does not make motions and does not vote during meetings.
- Conducts the election of the AZADV chair at the in-coming/out-going executive board meeting.
- Assists in the planning and steering of business to be introduced at the annual delegates meeting.
- Attends the delegates meeting at the annual conference and acts as the timekeeper.
- In-depth knowledge of parliamentary procedure required.