Board Criteria and Nomination
If  you are willing to present a nomination, please download the following documents 2008 Nomination Information + 2008 Nomination Form & please read the board criteria below.
Description of an ERA Europe Director’s Position
The ERA EUROPE Board of Directors is the association’s senior policy-making body. It is responsible, in front of the General Assembly of members, the governing body of the Association, as per the Association By-Laws, for setting the strategic direction for the organization’s support of the electronic retailing industry in EUROPE.
It is through the ERA EUROPE Board of Directors that every European member company is represented in the European governance of the organization. It is by the direct election of Directors, in addition to the Statutory Annual General Assembly of the members that each ERA EUROPE member company exercises its ultimate control over the association.
Although European companies are members of ERA EUROPE, Board seats are held by individuals of ERA EUROPE member organizations. Individuals represent those organizations on the Board, and collectively, the Board represents the interests of all ERA EUROPE members.
Specific Duties
- Develop and approve the association’s long-term strategic plan
- Oversee matters affecting the Association as they relate to policy
- Review and approve the annual budget
- Authorize an annual audit of the official financial records of the association
- Approve all proposed amendments to the Association’s bylaws before they are voted by the Members General Assembly
- Attend all Board meetings during tenure on the Board at your own expense
- Fill any vacancy on the Board of Directors in accordance with the Association bylaws
- Participate on committees and task forces
- Understand and support the policies and programs adopted by the Board of Directors
- Assist in bringing in new members
- Expend substantial time, energy and other resources on designated activities of the organization
- Abide by the Code of Ethics for the Board of Directors, and conduct business in an exemplary manner
Rules
- The standard term for Directors is 3 years
- The Chairman’s term is two years & the Chairman must have served on the current board for two years before being elected
- A Chair-elect position is created. The Chair-elect must have had one year experience on the board to be a candidate. The Chair-elect will be elected at the beginning of the Chairman’s second year in office
- A possible one year extension after these three years is granted for the elected Chair-elect, which will allow for the fulfilment of the Chairman’s obligations
- Previous members of the Board may now be candidates and apply for nomination after one year out of the Board.
- Any ERA EUROPE member company in good standing, with membership and related fees appropriate and up-to-date, willing to commit a senior executive to serve a three-year term on the Board should submit a nomination. The value to the entire European electronic retailing industry, and to your own company is too great to let pass.
- Nominations should be made by or with the consent of the individual being nominated.
- No organization can have more than one executive on the Board. If an executive from an organization represented on the Nominating Committee is be considered, the company representative on the Nominating Committee will not participate in the Committee internal decision and vote to place the candidate on the nomination slate.
The Nominating Committee will review all candidates’ dues to evaluate if they are appropriate.
Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee comprises three representatives from the current ERA EUROPE Board and one regular member-at-large. The Committee is asked to sign a confidentiality agreement and to disclose any business relationships with any of the candidates.
Final selection of candidates and vote by the Members.
The Committee will meet to deliberate and select a slate of candidates based upon the board-approved criteria listed below. That slate of candidates will be presented to the full membership for election, the vote being completed by the time of the ERA European Conference every June.
Selection Criteria
- Ability and willingness to attend all Board meetings, and to actively support the organization through continuous and voluntary efforts during the director term
- Demonstrated leadership and high standards of commitment to quality and ethical business practice in their industry
- Current member paying ERA EUROPE dues at a level appropriate to the size of company at the time of their election
- Financial capability and business stability to devote significant time and energy and resources to the Association
- The Nominating Committee shall consider the history of the candidate’s commitment to and compliance with ERA ‘s and ERA EUROPE guidelines and applicable laws and regulations
- Geographic representation to ensure that the Board is responsive to members and potential members in all parts of the ERA EUROPE territories
- Current representation of key industry segments including marketers of products and services using DRTV, radio, web, print, shopping channels, production, media buying, fulfillment, product development, consulting, telemarketing, brick and mortar retailers, e-retailers, web and web platform, radio, broadcast, mobile and wireless etc.
- For existing ERA EUROPE members in these established sectors, a preference for a history of volunteer service, attendance at industry events, years of industry experience, or financial support to the industry and the Association
- Because the Nominating Committee is dedicated to ensuring the continuance of a dynamic and forward-thinking Board, the Committee will also reach out to new members.
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
- A consideration to recruit or solicit potential nominees or outstanding members who the Committee feels could be important contributors to the Association Strategic Planning and of assistance to the operational monitoring of the implementation of these strategies and of the association business plan
- A consideration of healthy diversity in the overall composition of the Board
- An outreach to replace or maintain or bring and recognize specific skill sets to the Board – i.e., individuals with special expertise in research, fund-raising, public relations, political connections, legal and/or accounting skills, and marketing
- A consideration of “marquis” companies or individuals with brand name and important industry stature as to enhance the overall credibility and significance of the Association as a whole.
- A consideration to recruit senior level candidates with level of commitment to ERA EUROPE’s strategic direction, especially Presidents, CEOs, and owner/operators whenever possible.
