Position Descriptions
Below are additional details on the positions. Click on the links below to access information on each. For more information on ASPA's current leadership,
click here. For more on the nomination process,
click here for ASPA’s bylaws.
President-Elect
District Representative
International Director
Student Representative
Who is eligible? An ASPA member in good standing who has been a member for at least one year immediately prior to his/her nomination.
Who elects the president-elect? ASPA members in good standing.
How long is the term? The president-elect will serve a two-year term after which the individual will ascend to the ASPA presidency for a two-year term.
What are the responsibilities? As president-elect, the individual will serve on the National Council and Executive Committee; manage the Council’s work in establishing its annual performance goals, expectations and measures; and develop a report to the membership on meeting them. As ASPA president, the individual will:
- Exercise leadership of ASPA; preside over National Council meetings and the annual membership meeting; appoint members to committees and other bodies; and serve as ex-officio member with vote on most ASPA committees.
- Serve as ASPA’s principal public spokesperson and public symbol.
- Make appointments as the bylaws require and/or are necessary in ASPA’s interests.
- Execute faithfully ASPA’s bylaws and policies, protect members’ rights and welfare and promote members’ interests.
- Act as a liaison among the executive director, officers, and Council members, Chapter presidents, committee and Section chairpersons and others on policy matters or disagreements.
- Make an annual contribution to the ASPA Endowment and participate in Council-led fundraising initiatives aimed at strengthening the financial position of ASPA operations and/or the Endowment.
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Who is eligible? ASPA members in good standing, whose membership is current through the end of the voting period, who have been members for at least one year immediately prior to nomination and whose primary residence or principal place of employment in the electoral district from which they are nominated and will stand for election.
Who elects the district representative? ASPA members in good standing whose primary address is in the electoral district where the district representative is running.
How long is the term? Three years. District Representatives are eligible to serve no more than two full consecutive terms but are eligible to serve additional terms following at least one year of non-service. Incumbents seeking a second consecutive term shall be considered but are not guaranteed renomination.
What are the responsibilities? Council members are expected to assume leadership responsibilities vital to ASPA’s effective operation, including National, District, Chapter, and Section responsibilities:
- Actively support ASPA’s goals, including leading development of its strategic direction and/or plan.
- Engage in policy deliberations and decisionmaking impacting ASPA.
- Represent ASPA’s goals and objectives to members and the general public.
- Support and facilitate the work of Chapters and Sections and liaise between them and the national organization.
- Ensure prudent use of all assets, including financial resources, intellectual property, people, and goodwill; seek to enhance such assets; and fulfill its fiduciary responsibility by supporting activities that advance ASPA’s effectiveness and sustainability.
- Make an annual contribution to the ASPA Endowment and participate in Council-led fundraising initiatives aimed at strengthening the financial position of ASPA operations and/or the Endowment.
What are the districts?
- District 1: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont
- District 2: Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, West Virginia
- District 3: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee
- District 4: Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming
- District 5: Arizona, California, Hawaii, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah
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Who is eligible? An ASPA member in good standing who has been a member for at least one year immediately prior to the individual's nomination.
Who elects the international director? ASPA members in good standing whose primary address is outside the United States.
How long is the term? Three years. The international director is eligible to serve no more than two full consecutive terms but is eligible to serve additional terms following at least one year of non-service. An incumbent seeking a second consecutive term shall be considered but is not guaranteed renomination.
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Who is eligible? ASPA members in good standing, whose membership is current through the end of the voting period, who have been a member for at least one year immediately prior to nomination, and who holds the student or new professional membership category.
Who elects the student representative? ASPA members in good standing who hold the Student or New Professional membership category.
How long is the term? One year.
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ASPA seeks candidates with a variety of leadership skills, including a strategic understanding of the public administration field—spanning practice and scholarship—to position the Society for continued programmatic and financial growth. In particular, we welcome individuals with a commitment to the following:
- Building a positive organizational culture. Engage and convene Chapter leadership and provide a District/locally based voice at the national organizational level. Actively participate in Chapter visits, contribute to cultivating new Chapters and strengthening existing ones; attend and support District-based conferences.
- Participating in ASPA’s development activities. Support ASPA’s financial and programmatic position. Actively participate in Endowment- and fundraising-related efforts; provide leads and recommendations on prospective donors/supporters. Recommend programmatic ideas that advance ASPA’s focus on the field’s most critical issues, including infrastructure, finance, social equity and public service.
- Demonstrating a Duty of Care, Loyalty and Obedience. Consistent with the role of governing boards, ensure ASPA’s mission and welfare stands at the forefront of the member’s contributions to the National Council.
We are looking for thoughtful decisionmakers, strategic minds and action-oriented volunteers who are willing and able to work the national organization’s professional staff as we continue to grow ASPA as the premier member society for public administration.
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