HIA Board Service

The majority of the seats on the Board are reserved for elected statutory (Business and Farming) members. To qualify for Board candidacy, a member must have been in good standing (i.e. have a current membership) for at least the three months preceding the start of the election. A small number of seats can be filled by ex officio appointment (essentially, that means they are added to the Board because of some valuable expertise they bring). Appointments can also be made by the Board to fill vacancies left by elected Directors who left the Board prior to the conclusion of their terms. These rules are detailed in the HIA's bylaws, which are governed by the nonprofit corporation code of the state of California.

Elected terms are for three years. Appointments may be made for shorter terms. In the case of vacancy appointments, the appointment may not extend beyond the natural term of the elected seat being filled.

The HIA Board currently meets once per month (virtually) for two hours. In typical years, Board members are asked to attend in person and participate in the Annual General Meeting of Members that is held in conjunction with HIACON. 

Nope. Just keeping your membership current.

Only in the sense that as the leaders of the organization Board members are encouraged to promote the HIA and the benefits membership when appropriate opportunities present.

Yes. View the Board Code of Conduct. Per the HIA bylaws, violating the adopted Code of Conduct could result in removal from the Board. 

In addition, Directors are expected to attend Board meetings and unexcused absences at three or more consecutive Board meetings subjects a Director to potential removal.

Finally, as mandated by both state and common law, the three fiduciary responsibilities of all board directors are the duty of care, the duty of loyalty and the duty of obedience

By democratic consent. The HIA Board follows a relaxed set of parliamentary procedures based on Robert's Rules of Order for Small Boards, which means:

All Directors are given a chance to contribute the agenda, speak about issues on the table, offer motions, and review the minutes of each meeting for accuracy.

No. The HIA isn't subject to public meetings requirements (we're not that kind of nonprofit), and nothing that is discussed or voted on is intended for the general public.

That said: As a 501(c)(6) mutual benefit corporation with members, our members do get to see Board meeting minutes, which include vote totals, upon request. While, technically, members are not supposed to then report out what they learn—the practical reality is that through this transparency the minutes and vote totals from Board meetings can become public. Minutes include only a description of the topic and actions taken, not details about the content of discussions.

There are no limits on the number of consecutive or non-consecutive terms an elected Board member may serve. View the HIA Board service history.

Five. Current Directors with terms concluding are Mike Lewis, Rick Trojan, Annie Rouse, La Vonne Peck, and Rob Davidson.

If you are a current member, you will receive a Call for Nominations email in September with details on how to nominate someone to serve as a candidate in the elections. Self-nominations are accepted. The email will include a list of eligible members.

As there is no live Annual General Meeting of Members planned for this year, the election will be conducted virtually (just like last year), beginning on November 3rd and concluding on December 31st.