Specialty Coffee Association Accepting Nominations For Board Of Directors

June 25, 2020

The SCA Board of Directors is open for nominations.   

June 25, 2020: We have updated this post to include the 2021-2022 SCA Board of Directors Elections Timeline. 

The SCA Board of Directors consists of eighteen (18) volunteer members that serve a 2-year term, supported by the Executive Director/CEO and SCA staff. The members elected to serve on the 2021-2022 SCA Board will serve a two-year term from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2022.

The SCA nominations and election process are overseen by the Nominating Committee comprised of the following individuals:

  • Christina Meinl, Board President

  • Colleen Anunu, Board Vice President

  • Juan Luis Barrios, Board 2nd Vice President 

  • Nils Erichsen, Board Treasurer 

  • Paul Stack, Emeritus Director 

  • Heather Perry, Emeritus Director 

  • Yannis Apostolopoulos, SCA Executive Director/CEO

For this year, the Nominating Committee has outlined a few qualification recommendations and a description of an SCA Board Member’s responsibilities. These recommendations are listed below.

All members are encouraged to submit their names or the names of candidates who would make a valuable contribution to the Association by serving on the SCA Board of Directors. You may submit your nominations directly to the SCA using this online formPlease submit your nomination by 9:00 am PDT / 5:00 pm BST on July 10, 2020.

SUBMIT A NOMINATION

2021-2022 SCA Board Director Role Description and Suggested Nominee Qualifications 

The SCA’s mission is to engage, inspire, and expand a sustainable global specialty coffee community through shared values and core commitments.

The board will support the work of SCA and provide mission-based leadership and strategic governance. While the CEO/Executive Director leads day-to-day operations, the board–CEO relationship is a partnership, and the appropriate involvement of the board is both critical and expected. 

The board year lasts from January 1 – December 31. SCA Board Member responsibilities include leadership, governance, and oversight:

  • Serving as trusted advisors to the CEO as they develop and implement the 5-year strategic plan

  • Reviewing agenda and supporting materials before board and committee meetings

  • Approving SCA’s annual budget, audit report, and material business decisions; being informed of, and meeting all, legal and fiduciary responsibilities

  • Contributing to the annual performance evaluation of the CEO

  • Assisting the CEO and Board Chair in identifying and recruiting other board members

  • Partnering with the CEO and other board members to carry out board resolutions

  • Serving on committees or task forces and taking on particular assignments

  • Representing SCA to stakeholders; acting as an ambassador for the organization

  • Ensuring SCA’s commitment to a diverse board and staff that reflects the communities and value chain SCA serves

Board Term / Commitment

  • SCA Board Directors serve a 2-year term

  • Board members must be SCA members in good standing

  • Board Directors should expect to commit 2-3 weeks a year of their in-person time to meetings and events. Specifically, Board Directors are expected to attend both the Specialty Coffee Expo and World of Coffee as well as two other international board meetings, plus any committee meetings held separately. 

  • As most of the board business is conducted in English, Board Directors are expected to be fluent in written and spoken English

  • Board service is a volunteer position

2021-2022 SCA Board Nominee Qualifications

This is an exceptional opportunity for an individual passionate about the SCA mission, a member in good standing of the SCA, and with a track record of board leadership. Selected board members will have achieved leadership stature in business, government, philanthropy, or the non-profit sector. Your accomplishments will allow you to attract other well-qualified, high-performing board members.

Ideal candidates will have the following qualifications:

  • Extensive professional experience with significant executive leadership accomplishments in business, government, philanthropy, or the non-profit sector

  • A commitment to and understanding of SCA value chain, preferably based on experience

  • Excellent diplomatic skills and a natural affinity for cultivating relationships and persuading, convening, facilitating, and building consensus among diverse individuals

  • Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a passion for improving the lives of SCA stakeholders and community

Again, please submit your nominations directly to the SCA using this online formPlease submit your nomination by 9:00 am PDT / 5:00 pm BST on July 10, 2020.

SUBMIT A NOMINATION2021-2022 SCA Board of Directors Elections Timeline

Nominations

  • June 19: Nominations Open

  • July 10: Nominations Close

Slate

  • August 31: Announcement of Proposed Slate

Nominations by Petition

  • September 1: Opening Date for Nominations by Petition

  • September 30: Closing Date for Nominations by Petition

Ballot

  • October 8: Announcement of Final Ballot

Elections

  • November 1: Elections Open

  • November 30: Elections Close

Board Announcement

  • December 10: Announcement of Election Results

SCA Members will receive an email ballot on November 1 from our outside election management company. If you don’t receive your email ballot by that date, please email [email protected].

Prefer a paper ballot? Request it by September 30 by sending an email to [email protected].