Dear Chapter Leaders,
At its October 20, 2018 meeting, the RIMS Board of Directors amended the Society’s policy concerning the ability of Associates to serve on Chapter Boards. Please see below for background information on this issue, details regarding the revised policy and recommendations for implementation.
Background:
In recent years, some chapters have voiced their concerns about filling their board positions. As a result, these chapters are either relying on the same, small group of volunteers to govern each year, are failing to fill all of their Board positions, or have already engaged Associates to serve on their boards, resulting in non-compliance with RIMS policy.
Over the past 18 months, the RIMS Board, the Member and Chapter Engagement Committee and RIMS staff have conducted surveys, held in-depth discussions and analyzed the benefits and challenges of revising the 2013 decision to restrict Associates’ ability to serve on Chapter Boards. The RIMS Board also addressed the need to support those chapters in favor of this change, while protecting the interests of those chapters opposed to the change.
The RIMS Board understands the challenges facing our chapters, and after much consideration has determined that there is an opportunity for Associates to deliver great value as chapter directors. Chapters will gain access to a larger volunteer pool, as well as additional insight and expertise. Many of RIMS most experienced Professional members began their careers as service providers, and allowing current Associate members to serve on chapter boards creates opportunities for younger members to share their perspectives, contribute and gain valuable skills as their careers progress. This may help to enhance the chapters’ and the Society’s sustainability, building a pipeline for future Professional member volunteers.
Revised Policy:
Any RIMS chapter may amend its bylaws to permit its Associate Members to stand for election to the chapter’s board of directors; provided, however, that no more than two Associates may serve on the chapter’s board simultaneously, and further provided that an Associate may not be elected to – or otherwise serve as – a chapter officer.
To implement this policy revision, chapters should take the following steps:
1. Update bylaws
2. Notify chapter membership
3. Send updated bylaws to RIMS
4. Address Conflicts of Interest
5. Communicate with Board Liaison
Updating Bylaws:
Please note, this policy change is optional for chapter boards. For those RIMS chapters that wish to implement this change, chapter bylaws must be updated. This will require implementation of the amendment process outlined within each chapter’s bylaws. Chapter membership must be notified and new bylaws must be submitted to RIMS Chapter Services upon completion.
Conflicts of Interest:
To address concerns about conflicts of interest, Associates, like all elected volunteers, are strongly encouraged to execute a conflict of interest agreement. This agreement should clarify that every elected officer and director owes fiduciary duties to the chapter, and may be removed from his/her leadership role for violating these duties. The full Chapter Board should monitor and address any perceived (or actual) conflicts before they become significant. RIMS will provide all chapters with access to a conflict of interest form that they may use for this purpose.
While chapter leadership will always remain amongst the local risk professional volunteers, the RIMS Board will be closely monitoring the impact of this policy change to ensure the overall integrity of the Society’s leadership. Chapter leaders are encouraged to reach out to your Board Liaisons to share your success stories and/or any related challenges you may experience.
If you have any questions regarding this policy change, or the implementation thereof, please contact RIMS Member Relations Manager Will Gilchrist at wgilchrist@RIMS.org or 212-655-6031.
Sincerely,
RIMS Board of Directors