By Pete Fackler
Past-president, HLAA Board of Trustees
Chair, Nominating Committee

We have been fortunate over time to enjoy the dedicated and effective service of so many past and present Board members of HLAA. The work to perpetuate the continuing strength of our governing Board is a never-ending process, however. In that connection, I am asking for your help in identifying good prospects for service as future HLAA board members.

A hallmark of strong not-for-profit organizations is that they have an effective, dedicated governing board. It is no secret, certainly, that the charity environment in America is a challenging one with many worthy causes vying for the attention and support of the public. For organizations like Hearing Loss Association of America to survive and thrive, being able to develop and sustain a strong board presence is an absolute must.

HLAA Board of Trustee members are responsible for policy development and oversight, for establishing long-range plans, and for assuring that the organization has the financial and other resources to carry out its mission.

In June 2012 the Board completed a new strategic plan for HLAA which will provide a roadmap for the future development of HLAA. As the Board’s immediate Past President, I currently chair the Board’s nominating committee and we are determined to expand our outreach to identify and recruit capable and dedicated board members going forward.

We seek a diverse Board in all respects including geography, race, age, gender, and constituency representation. Some of the constituencies we seek to include in addition to people with hearing loss are family members of people with hearing loss, parents of children with hearing loss, hearing loss service providers, and HLAA Chapter members. It is not a requirement that Board members have a hearing loss but Board members with a hearing loss have historically been a majority of the HLAA Board membership.

Some of the qualities we are looking for in candidates include experience in the corporate and not-for-profit worlds and know-how in finance and accounting, technology, advocacy, fundraising, senior level corporate, human resources, government relations, legal, management, marketing and public relations, medical, and strategic planning.

Here is how you can help. Please forward information concerning prospects for HLAA Board service to me at pcf.hlaa@yahoo.com. Or you can send me information by mail to 41 Avondale Park, Rochester, NY 14620.

Please provide prospects’ names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses, and please include a brief statement about why you think the person you are recommending would be a good Board member for HLAA. It will also be helpful if you include your own contact information so that, if we have questions, we can be in touch.