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Spotlight on the Board of Governors

Greetings! This time next week, we will be in the midst of the exciting 131st International Convention in New York.  For many of us, this is a prime annual opportunity to interface and network with our colleagues from throughout the world.  We do this in order to further our desire for exchange of knowledge and understanding of our rapidly changing, and ever more complex, audio world. Beyond the convention, there are a number of activities all year long that the AES is involved with. As an AES member, you have the opportunity to influence these activities. You may do this through direct involvement in any of the specialized committees, like Education, Membership, TC’s (Technical Committees), etc., and by voting to elect the body of representatives (Board of Governors) that work all year long on behalf of over 14,000 members worldwide.  I have asked AES Board Member and Secretary, Bob Lee, to help to explain more about this group’s role.

Greetings!

This time next week, we will be in the midst of the exciting 131st International Convention in New York. For many of us, this is a prime annual opportunity to interface and network with our colleagues from throughout the world. We do this in order to further our desire for exchange of knowledge and understanding of our rapidly changing, and ever more complex, audio world.

Beyond the convention, there are a number of activities all year long that the AES is involved with. As an AES member, you have the opportunity to influence these activities. You may do this through direct involvement in any of the specialized committees, like Education, Membership, TC’s (Technical Committees), etc., and by voting to elect the body of representatives (Board of Governors) that work all year long on behalf of over 14,000 members worldwide.

I have asked AES Board Member and Secretary, Bob Lee, to help to explain more about this group’s role.

Bob Lee

“A professional society requires a governing body to set policy and decide direction. In the AES, the Board of Governors, or BoG, serves that purpose,” says Lee. “ It comprises 21 voting members, all unpaid volunteers elected by the full membership of the society. Several non-voting persons also participate in BoG discussions: the Executive Director, who is the highest-level employee of the society; the Editor of the Journal of the AES; and an Attorney who serves as legal counsel. Chairs of Standing Committees usually participate in BoG meetings as non-voting guests.”

Who are the voting members of the Board?

The 21 voting members are:

  • ·President (one-year term)
  • ·President-elect (one-year term preceding the term as president)
  • ·Past-president (one-year term following the term as president)
  • ·Treasurer (two-year term)
  • ·Secretary (two-year term)
  • ·Two governors (two-year term following the term as past-president)
  • ·Six governors (two-year term; three are elected each year)
  • ·Eight regional vice-presidents (two-year term; four are elected each year)

How often do the Board members meet?

In recent years the BoG meets once annually at the US convention and holds an informal meeting at the European event. Before 2010, the BoG also met at the European conventions. BoG activities continue in between the face-to-face meetings, though, thanks to an e-mail reflector, an online forum, and an online voting tool through which members can conduct discussions and vote on motions.

What is the purpose for the ExCom?

Certain governing functions, especially those relating to day-to-day operations, are better handled by a small group than a large body. For this reason, five members of the BoG—president, president-elect, past president, treasurer, and secretary—make up the Executive Committee, or EXCOM. The powers and responsibilities of the EXCOM are delineated in the bylaws but the committee is still accountable to the BoG.

How can I play an active role in the operation of the Society?

All Full AES members are eligible to vote, and to hold office in the international Society. There is a call for Nominations early in the year, and a Nominating Committee also works to develop a slate of eligible officer candidates. Voting is announced through the Journal, web site, and email, and takes place through July. Follow this link for more details.

I hope that you keep an eye out for your current Board Members at the upcoming 131st Convention. We will be right there with you throughout the events (wearing blue AES name badges), and want to know how we can do a better job of serving you.

See you in NY!

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