Here is all the information you need if you consider running for a position on the PLASA Membership Governing Body (MGB).
Your input will be invaluable in taking PLASA forward and will also provide you with an opportunity to share your skills and experience, get more involved in the PLASA community and develop new industry contacts.
What follows is a brief overview of the role of the MGB and what you can expect during your term of service. You may also wish to speak to current MGB members about their experience to see if serving on the board is right for you. Here is the current list of board members
Roles & Responsibilities
The MGB exists to provide direction for the association and to protect the interests of the members worldwide. PLASA is committed to diversity, inclusion and equality and welcomes all applications. See our Commitment on Diversity
The key responsibilities are:
■ Represent the interests of the membership.
■ Advise on the organisation’s strategic aims.
■ Develop programmes and services to meet the needs of the membership.
■ Advise on the annual budget for the delivery of the Strategic aims.
■ Monitor the achievement of targets.
■ Review the accounts.
■ Ensure PLASA’s resources are deployed and managed effectively.
■ Advise on policy and procedures.
■ Safeguard the future development of the Association.
■ Act as ambassadors for the organisation and promote its best interests.
Board Structure
The Board is made up as follows:
Executive
1. Chair
2. Vice-Chair
3. Treasurer
Business Members Representatives
4. Distributor/Dealer Member
5. Manufacturer Member
6. Rental & Production Services Member
7. Professional Services Member
8. Venue Member
Organisational & Educational Representative
9. Organisational & Educational Member
Individual Representative
10. Individual Member
View the current list of board members.
Election Process
The MGB is elected by PLASA Members. The three Officer positions are elected from the Business and Organisational & Educational members already in post. The Business Accreditation positions (4-8) are elected from and by the Business members who have selected the category as their company type. The Organisational & Educational Member is elected from and by the Organisational & Educational membership, and the Individual Member is elected from and by the Individual membership.
Term of Office: MGB members serve three-year terms and may be elected to a maximum of two consecutive terms.
Meetings
Frequency: MGB members are required to attend four meetings per year. If the demands of a particular project dictate, PLASA or the Chairman may decide to call an extra meeting, but this will only be in extraordinary circumstances and members of the MGB will be given as much notice as possible.
Schedule: The MGB meetings generally take place in London in March, June, October and December. Details of the final dates/locations for the MGB will be circulated six months in advance of the meetings.
Notification: Confirmation of the meeting agenda and any relevant supporting reports will be sent to the MGB via e-mail, a minimum of seven working days before the meeting.
Attendance: Members of the MGB are required to attend all meetings. In very exceptional circumstances, and where budgetary considerations permit, we will consider allowing participation via conferencing technologies, provided the agreement of the Chair has been given in advance and the quality of the connection does not devalue the meeting. If members fail to participate in three consecutive meetings without the consent of the Chair, they will be asked to step down from the MGB.
Format: The meetings will be conducted within a structured, open framework to encourage a full exchange of views and ideas. Refreshments will be provided.
Minutes: Minutes are taken at every meeting.
Observers: PLASA members are encouraged to attend meetings as observers. From time to time, representatives from advisory groups or other industry organisations may be invited to participate in discussions relevant to their areas of expertise. On rare occasions, a closed or executive session may be called by the Chair if confidential matters need to be discussed.
Expenses: Members of the MGB are asked to contribute their time and expertise for free to ensure that PLASA leads the industry. As a consequence, they receive no remuneration for their services and where long-distance travel is involved, are asked to cover all travel and accommodation costs. Every effort is made to ensure these costs are kept to a minimum.
Introduction: New MGB members will participate in a special conference call prior to taking office with the Chair and MD. This will provide an overview of issues and initiatives currently before the MGB, providing both history and context, together with an outline of the governance structure. This will also be an opportunity to raise any questions you may have prior to joining the MGB.
Additional Time Commitments: Between meetings, MGB members are asked to respond to letter ballots or emails and to read minutes and other documents in preparation for meetings.
All MGB members by default serve on the Ethics Committee and may be asked to serve on a hearing panel if a case comes before the committee. MGB members will also be expected to engage with companies or individuals within their membership accreditation and may be asked to assist with membership campaigns, information gathering, encouraging participation in key initiatives and promoting the association.
Advisory Groups
MGB members may be asked to set up or chair one of PLASA’s advisory groups and as a result will have a significantly more fulfilling experience. If you are elected to the MGB to represent a particular membership category, you should wherever possible reflect the collective views and specific interests of that group of members, for example this might include chairing meetings to discuss common issues and challenges faced, and a plan of action that PLASA can facilitate.
Director and Officer’s Liability
MGB members have duties of care and loyalty to PLASA and its membership and must perform their duties in accordance with the relevant laws and the association’s constitutional requirements. MGB members must act in a reasonable and informed manner in good faith when participating in the MGB’s decisions and must act in the association’s best interest. They must avoid activities that would injure or take advantage of PLASA, particularly using their positions within the organisation for personal gain. While generally MGB members are not personally liable for the organisation’s obligations or damages, personal liability may arise if MGB members:
• Breach their Duty of Care to PLASA;
• Breach their Duty of Loyalty to PLASA;
• Misappropriate a corporate opportunity or asset for personal use or use by another business;
• Commingle personal and business assets; or
• Fail to disclose potential or actual conflicts of interest.
All MGB members are required to sign an annual Conflict of Interest statement. Any MGB member made a party to any civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding in any manner arising from the performance of his or her duties for or on behalf of the organisation will be indemnified to the full extent provided by law. This means that PLASA will reimburse the MGB member for expenses incurred and amounts paid in defending these claims. In addition, PLASA carries £1,000,000 in Director and Officer’s Insurance (D&O) to cover the claims and liability arising from them (including certain costs of defence incurred by PLASA).
We feel certain you will find your involvement in the MGB a rewarding and invaluable experience.
If you would like further information on any of the practicalities associated with being an MGB member, please contact PLASA’s MD, Peter Heath on +44 (0)1323 524125 or peter.heath@plasa.org.
Following are some thoughts from current and former Board members on their service:
“Working on the PLASA MGB is a perfect reminder of just how rich our industry is with professional people, every one of them passionate about our future. Representing distributor members and supporting the PLASA team is both an honour and a privilege.”
“I’m pleased to be part of the PLASA MGB as we reach out to both our existing and new members. As we try to build and renew the association for our industry it’s important to include individual members as well as our corporate members who are the foundation of PLASA.”
“Working with PLASA as a MGB member is a great experience, the infrastructure is interesting and the team’s commitment fantastic. I now have a better understanding regarding the resources and services available to all PLASA members.”
“I have been an active member of the PLASA MGB for over eight years as Secretary and the Manufacturer rep which I thoroughly enjoy. It’s an opportunity to give something back to this wonderful industry.”
