Attributes of an Effective Board Member:
A strong commitment to NARTS.
A strong desire to give back to the industry.
Common sense.
Leadership abilities.
Strong ethical standards.
Insightfulness and creativity.
The ability to make decisions.
Strong written and verbal skills.
Good communicator and listener.
Willingness to support group decision-making.
Supportive of board colleagues and NARTS staff.
Team player able to work well in a team-centered environment.
Commitment to the growth and development of the Association.
A willingness to devote time and energy to the position.
Membership on the NARTS Board of Directors requires a total commitment to the Association and the industry. It is very important that nominations are submitted without reservation or persuasion because, as a Board member, duties and responsibilities weigh heavily upon time and commitment. Time and employer and/or employee support are necessary to fulfill all duties of the office, including Seminar and Conference attendance. It is important to note that along with the vast responsibilities as a NARTS Director comes great gratification from representing this fantastic Association. You will have a very rewarding experience and enjoy a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment. A position on the NARTS Board is an honor and an opportunity of leadership within the Resale Industry.
Nomination and Election Schedule:
• Call for Nominations published in August: in the NARTS newsletter, via broadcast email and posted on NARTSWeb.
• Nomination forms must be submitted online no later than close of business (5PM EST) on August 18, 2025.
• Slate of Candidates announced after close of nominations. Information is confidential until announced by NARTS.
• Confirmation and Candidate Forum information sent to all eligible candidates by August 20, 2025.
• Candidate Forum article and digital photo must be received electronically in the NARTS office by August 25, 2025.
• Online ballots posted no later than: September 1, 2025.
• Ballots must be cast by: September 30, 2025.
• Election results: October 3, 2025.
Newly elected Board members must be available and prepared to attend the next Board meeting which is tentatively scheduled for November 1, 2024—time to be determined. It will be held the day before our Fall Seminar.
Qualifications of Directors - from NARTS Bylaws Article IV:
Section 1. NUMBER, TERM AND QUALIFICATIONS OF DIRECTORS: This not-for-profit corporation shall be governed by a board of directors composed of five persons. Directors shall meet the following qualifications at the time nominations for the board elections close:
(1) the person shall be a Primary member of this corporation for at least two consecutive years prior to nomination;
(2) the persons' Primary membership of this corporation shall have been in good standing (dues no more than 30 days past due) for the 12 consecutive months prior to nomination;
(3) the person shall have attended at least two educational functions of this corporation, one of which must be Annual Conference during the two years prior to nomination;
(4) the person shall have represented a firm, partnership, corporation or other business entity selling at retail, goods that consist predominantly of used or recycled personal or household merchandise for a period of at least two years prior to nomination;
(5) the person shall not hold an Affiliate membership;
(6) the person shall not be an owner, co-owner, officer, partner, employee of—or in any way associated with—any firm, partnership, corporation or other business entity providing products or services to store members of this Corporation or to entities selling at retail, goods that consist predominantly of used or recycled personal or household merchandise;
(7) the person shall have attained the age of majority as defined by the state of the persons' residence;
(8) the person shall not have any conflict of interest with this corporation, as reasonably determined by a majority vote of the board of directors;
(9) the person shall not, for a period of two years, have been an employee of, independent contractor of or professional advisor to this corporation for remuneration;
(10) the person shall not, for a period of two years, have provided, directly or indirectly, any products or services to this corporation for remuneration;
(11) the person shall not, for a period of two years, been a direct or indirect owner of any independent contractor to this corporation, any professional advisor of this corporation, or any entity which has provided products or services to this corporation for remuneration during such two year period;
(12) the person shall not, for a period of two years, have been a business associate (or employee) of any current board member, any other person nominated for election to the board, or any entity which has provided products or services to this corporation during such two year period; and
(13) the person shall not, for a period of two years, have been a Board member of any other National resale association.
Each director shall hold office for the term for which he/she is elected and until his/her successor is elected and qualified, unless the director resigns and such resignation is accepted by the board or the director is removed by a vote of the primary members for cause or without cause.
Board Member Responsibilities:
Board Meetings and Related Duties:
Attendance at all meetings of the Board of Directors is required. Current plans call for Board Meetings to be held in conjunction with the Annual Conference, one Seminar and after the election. Other Board Meetings can be called when required.
Some travel expenses for Annual Conference and Seminar held in conjunction with a Board of Directors meeting, may be paid by NARTS dependent upon the profitability of each meeting. Directors make their own travel arrangements. Directors can expect to incur out-of-pocket expenses in assuming this position.
As issues arise between meetings that require board input and/or action, the NARTS office sends frequent communications. (For example: CPSIA issues required a great deal of board time between meetings.)
A board member’s commitment does not stop with board officer and committee duties. Be prepared to accept numerous phone calls and respond to numerous emails from members seeking advice as a result of your monthly newsletter articles and your visibility as a board member. Board members are also expected to participate in the NARTS Members Only Facebook group.
Additional Board Member responsibilities from Board Policies:
Newsletter Article Submissions: Each Board Member is required to write and submit one full page (or equivalent of) article per month for Your NARTS Network. Articles must meet guidelines outlined in Newsletter Guideline handout (included in New Board Member packets) and must be submitted by due dates of 1st of month, prior to each issue. Established 11/1/97 Modified 11/1/20
Email: All Board Members are required to have an Email address and Internet access in order to participate in NARTS Members Only Facebook group and for communication with the NARTS office. Established 11/1/97 Modified 11/2/13
Conference:
Must attend Conference beginning with a Pre-Con and Board meeting held Thursday prior to opening of Conference. Must chair or co-chair at least one major Conference Committee and be responsible for duties prior to Conference and onsite: Below is a VERY BRIEF description of each committee job. Committees have detailed outlines which are updated and passed down to new committee chairs when committees change hands.
Chairperson: Oversees and coordinates all conference committees and keeps an open line of communication with committee chairs and office.
Education: Responsible for all workshops, networking and general sessions. This is the most time consuming and one of the most important jobs at Conference. Some of the duties involved include selecting workshop topics to present to the board for discussion and finalization. Contact potential speakers, write workshop descriptions, preside over Speakers' Meeting
Auction: Work with office and bus tour shops to secure donations. Unpack and display auction prizes on Saturday. Secure and train volunteers to help with cashiering and spotting during auction. Record winning bids during auction. Send thank you notes to donors after Conference. Board members take turns donating their consulting services as an auction prize.
Bus Tour: Work to secure stores for tour. Arrange five different routes for the buses to follow. Prepare the detailed paperwork, maps and schedules required for the bus company and shops. Stay in touch with shop owners/managers to make sure they are prepared for the tour.
Volunteer Coordinator: Responsible for contacting and scheduling volunteers for registration and any other positions deemed necessary during Conference.
Information: Responsible for sign & easel placement/removal for every event during the entire Conference.
Additional responsibilities during conference include but are not limited to:
Attendance at ALL Conference events for length of the event - many events require arriving 15 minutes early.
Board members greet at door for Thursday evening reception then later circulate until the event ends.
Greeting attendees at registration and working the registration table.
Greet and mingle during Friday and Sunday evening events trying to talk to as many attendees as possible.
Represent the Board at ALL Conference events.
Be available to answer many questions from attendees. Your time is not your own at Conference.
A Board Member is assigned to monitor each workshop session—which means you may not necessarily be able to attend workshops of your choice as each session has to monitored. Complete a checklist/worksheet for each workshop attended.
Monitor and/or moderator networking and "3 in 1" or NetShop sessions.
Assemble and fill registration packets/bags prior to registration.
Each Board Member MUST monitor one of the buses on the resale shop tour which includes being responsible for loading buses at each stop, making announcements, dispersing handouts, keeping the schedule.
Present a workshop or moderate a general session if asked.
Speak during opening/closing sessions as pertinent to your committee.
Attend Post Con meeting early Monday morning prior to the general session.
Seminars:
Attendance of all Board members is required when a board meeting is held in conjunction with a Seminar. If there is no board meeting held in conjunction with a Seminar, then only the designated speaker(s) are required to attend. Directors must be willing and able to serve as a presenter at Seminars. Directors are expected to work prior to and throughout any Seminar at which they are in attendance.
Additional responsibilities during Seminars include but are not limited to:
Greeting attendees at registration and working the registration table.
Monitoring the Networking Break.
Serving as monitor on the bus tour.