Volunteers are the heart of ACS. As an active non-profit membership organization, our organization relies on and values the support of our volunteer leaders who share their passion, knowledge, time, and talents to advance the association and the wider cheese industry. We strive to create an atmosphere of engagement, camaraderie, diversity, community, professional growth, respect – and fun – for our volunteers, and are dedicated to ensuring that volunteers feel appreciated and recognized for their contributions.

Each year, we look for volunteer leaders to serve on our committees/panels and help identify and provide resources and support services for our membership. Learn more about the work each committee does and to discover where your talents might be needed. To ensure equity and inclusion in the nomination process, we ask anyone interested in joining a committee or panel to self-nominate by filling out a short application in July/August each year. Applications for committees will be reviewed during this time and then applicants are contacted directly by the committee chairs.

Committee/panel service is a volunteer role, which we know is not always an option for some members of our community. If you are passionate and have an interest in serving but have barriers, please reach out to us.

COMMITTEE GOVERNANCE

In order to serve on a committee, you must be a current and active member of ACS. 

Committees are collaborative working groups with representatives from the ACS Management Team, our volunteer committee members and leaders, and the ACS Board of Directors. Some of our committees are mandated by the ACS Bylaws, like the Executive Committee, Finance Committee, and Nominating Committee. ACS Bylaws provide the governing and reporting structure of our committees.

Committee terms are in alignment with ACS Board of Directors term limits. One term of service is three years, and members may participate in up to two consecutive terms for a total of six years on a committee. This gives adequate time for members to learn and understand the committee’s work, while also opening up space on committees for new participation from members.

The ACS Board of Directors take an active role as leaders, advising on matters of strategic import and organizational policy, serving on committees and task forces, developing future leaders, and working with staff and volunteers to foster a vibrant, passionate, and knowledgeable cheese community. Learn more about Board service in the ACS Bylaws.

Learn more about the Board Nomination Process below.

ELIGIBILITY

ACS values and seeks diverse leadership as defined by race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, nationality, disability, appearance, geographic location, and professional level. It seeks leaders from all types and sizes of eligible organizations.

The ACS Nominating Committee has identified a number of desired attributes that inform the selection process for nominees. Potential nominees should possess:

• Demonstrated leadership commitment and involvement with ACS and the cheese community. Examples include: serving on ACS committees, participation in ACS events, serving in volunteer roles at conference, local involvement in your professional community.
• Recognized leadership in the cheese community. Examples include: serving as chair or president of a guild or related group; serving on ACS committees; or working with philanthropic organizations.
• Relevant expertise in industry and in the disciplines of organizational management in areas such as:  branding, media relations, finance, strategic alliances, and non-profit structure.
• Positive leadership attributes, emotional intelligence, the ability to work collaboratively and engage in appropriate debate and discussion when needed.  A strong commitment to uphold the vision, spirit, and ideals of the organization.  Visionary and strategic drive to follow through on ACS’s Strategic Plan.
• Collaborative approach to consensus-building and decision-making with ability to “speak with one voice” on board decisions.
• Discretion and diplomacy.

GOVERNANCE

Learn more about Board service in the ACS Bylaws.

TIME COMMITMENT

Directors serve one 3-year term with the potential to be re-appointed to a second 3-year term based on recommendation of Executive Committee and approval by full Board. Each year of service begins and ends at the ACS Annual Conference. Board members are eligible for consideration to serve on the Executive Committee after their first full year of Board service.

• Nominees should be willing and able to commit the required time to this important service role including:
• Ability to participate in all board meetings.
• Willingness to chair and/or serve on at least one ACS Committee.
• Nominee’s employer must have a clear understanding of this commitment, and fully support nominee’s service. The board meets in person 3 times each year which includes:
• 2-3 day Fall Meeting in Denver, CO (travel expenses paid by ACS)
• 1-day Spring Meeting, in May on the day prior to Judging and Competition in Minneapolis. Board members are also requested to volunteer for 1-2 additional days for J&C (travel expenses paid by ACS).
• 1-day Summer Meeting, the day prior to the ACS Annual Conference. (One hotel night covered by ACS for required early arrival in Conference city)
  In addition, the Board currently meets via conference call for 1 1/2 – 2 hours every month when no in-person meeting occurs for updates, discussion, and votes (3rd Tuesday at 11:00 am PT, no call is held in December).

Each year, the ACS Nominating Committee seeks nominations of cheese industry professionals to serve in leadership positions on the ACS Board of Directors. ACS values and seeks diverse leadership as defined by race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, nationality, disability, appearance, geographic location, and professional level. We seek leaders from all types and sizes of eligible organizations. The number of slots available and category of nominees sought is announced each year in advance of the nominating period.

Board of Directors Candidates | American Cheese Society

Nomination form requires the following information:

• Nominator Contact Information
• Nominator Statement of Support
• Nominee Contact Information
• Nominee General Qualifications (includes ACS membership status and ACS certifications)
• 3 Letters of Recommendation in Support of Nominee

VOTING

ACS members with voting privileges will receive an email ballot in May.

ELECTION PROCESS & DEADLINES

Below are the key dates and activities that make up the election process.

• February: Call for Nominations announced via email and on the ACS website and social media channels
• Mid-March: Deadline for Nominations
• March: Nominating Committee contacts all nominees to explain next steps and conduct interviews
• April: Nominating Committee recommends slate of Candidates for Board approval
• April: Candidates must submit a photo, brief biography, and statement of intent to the ACS office
• May: ACS members with voting privileges will receive an online ballot, and will be asked to select candidates. (Note: additional reminders to vote will be sent to those who have not yet voted up until the deadline.)
• June: Election closes, the candidate(s) who receive the most votes will be elected
• June: Candidates will be notified of results within two weeks of close of elections
• At Annual ACS Conference: New Board members will be introduced at the ACS Business Meeting/Lunch at the Annual Conference