New state directors: Steps for success at the Winter Board Meeting and beyond

March 13, 2023

Congratulations, you’re a new state director! The Winter Board Meeting is your first opportunity to stretch your legs in your new role. Now what? Find out how to make the most of your time at board meetings, ask questions (and get answers!), meet your senior officers and BIAW staff, and more!

State directors serve an essential purpose at board meetings. We want to make sure you have all the tools you need to succeed!

1. Attend the New Director Orientation

BIAW holds this orientation exclusively at the Winter Board Meeting on the evening of the first day. At this event, you’ll receive guidance from BIAW senior officers and staff on all the committees. One of the most important meetings a new director can attend, the new director orientation is a great introduction to our board meetings, helping you learn what to expect and how to navigate future board meetings.

Also, you will notice all new directors will have green name tags. This helps identify you as a new state director if you need help or guidance.

2. Plan your schedule

If you haven’t already, make sure you know what your local association expects of you. Check to see if you must attend specific meetings for reimbursement purposes. Once that’s established, you can choose where else to spend your time.

Board of Directors (BOD) Meeting

• • The one meeting state directors should attend!
  • The BOD is the final meeting on the last day of the conference
  • Directors must sign in to receive a ribbon and secure voting privileges

What piques your interest?

• • Membership, political, continuing education? More than likely, there’s a meeting that fits your passion
  • You don’t have to be a state director to attend a meeting. All BIAW members can attend all open committee and council meetings!

Social and networking events

Every BIAW board meeting offers ample time to socialize and network with fellow members, including:

• • Membership luncheon
  • Social hours, legislative reception, etc.

3. Watch for BIAW communications

As a state director, you will receive emails before and after every board meeting. Emails may include notifications for:

• • BIAW board meeting notices (meeting dates, events, hotel info/ reservations, etc.)
  • Committee and council agendas and minutes
  • Invitations to any special events happening at the meeting

To access these documents any time, visit BIAW.com and click “Log in” in the upper right corner to sign up. Once you create a username, you will gain access to BIAW’s community portal to view and download meeting documents.

Questions during the meeting?

Have questions and don’t know where to go? BIAW staff with the orange name badges or your fellow members are excellent sources of information! We’re here to help!

 

*Original article was featured in the March 2023 issue of Building Insight magazine.