035 APPOINTED POSITIONS

035-001        Communication and Technology Coordinator

Overview of Duties

The Communication and Technology Coordinator serves as ABC’s chief technology officer and chairs the Technology Committee. The Communication and Technology Coordinator:

  1. Coordinates the activities of the Technology Committee to fulfill annual charges.
  1. Manages the user/member experience of the Association’s website (org) and the underlying Association Management Software (AMS) in cooperation with ABC HQ (Executive Director and Business Manager).
  1. Manages the technologies and applications associated with the ABC website including coordination of the integration of the website and other applications or software.
  1. Learns and becomes proficient in the current Association Management Software (AMS) to enable effective coordination with the Executive Director’s office, committee chairs, and conference chairs/co-chairs to facilitate ABC’s business operations and conferences.
  1. Researches and manages the implementation of software and applications to meet the Association’s strategic goals.
  1. Assists the Executive Director and Business Manager in supervising any third party contracted to oversee the maintenance of systems and applications.
  1. Provides creative leadership to ensure the online technologies in use enable the Association to advance its mission by serving its members.
  1. Coordinates with the Marketing and Membership Committee in the oversight and use of the Association’s social media platforms.
  1. Submits semi-annual status reports to the Executive Director and the Board regarding the Association’s current web and social media policy and procedures.
  1. Works with the Executive Director’s office to provide effective transition when a new Communication and Technology Coordinator is selected.

Eligibility

An applicant for the position of Communication and Technology Coordinator must be a current ABC member in good standing. Members of the Executive Committee are not eligible to serve as Communication and Technology Coordinator.

Appointment

A call for nominations will be disseminated. The Executive Committee will review nominees. The ABC Communication and Technology Coordinator will be appointed by the Executive Committee and serve a four-year renewable term.

Qualifications

To serve as the Communication and Technology Coordinator, the applicant must:

  1. Have an interest in helping ABC achieve its organizational goals.
  1. Have experience in web design or user-interface design (no experience in web programming is required).
  1. Have editorial and/or administrative experience.
  1. Be comfortable working with both ABC administrators and web programming professionals.

In addition to demonstrating these qualities, applications for the position should include:

  1. The applicant’s current academic position and a description of duties.
  1. A current vita.
  1. Goals for the website(s).
  1. A description of, and evidence for, the host institution’s ability to supplement the financial support provided by the Association.
  1. Three letters of reference.

Board Meetings

If the Technology Coordinator is not already a member of the Board of Directors, the Board explicitly directs the Coordinator to attend relevant portions of the Board Meetings as an observer to inform the Board about the ABC website and to make the Technology Committee aware of technology-related discussions among the Board of Directors.

Reports

The Communication and Technology Coordinator submits mid-year and annual reports to the Executive Director and posts them on the Technology Committee’s Community page for functional and archival purposes.. The interim report is due April 1; the annual report is due September 1. The annual report includes information about the Association’s website and includes an accounting of how the Communication and Technology Coordinator has spent the Association’s financial support.

Reimbursement for Expenses

The Association reimburses the Communication and Technology Coordinator for expenses authorized under item 090-004 of the Operational Guidelines, subject to limits of the budget as approved by the Executive Director. Additional expenses, such as training sessions to better support the organization’s use of its Association Management Software (AMS), may be authorized as well. These expenses are approved by the Executive Director in consultation with the Executive Committee.

 

035-002        Associate Technology Coordinator

Overview of Duties

The Associate Technology Coordinator:

  1. Assists the annual conference co-chairs and the ABC HQ staff (Executive Director and Business Manager) by
  • Overseeing all virtual sessions during the annual international conference.
  • Serving as the primary contact for Audio/Visual support.
  1. Offers support during the year for certain key committees, specifically the Teaching and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committees in posting and disseminating information that is related to the conference/furthers the teaching and outreach missions of the association.
  1. Assists the Communications and Technology Coordinator and the ABC HQ staff by
  • Managing the user/member experience of businesscommunication.org and the underlying Association Management Software (AMS)
  • Managing the technologies and applications associated with the ABC website including coordination of the integration of the website (businesscommunication.org) and other applications or software.
  • Researching and managing the implementation of software and applications to meet the Association’s strategic goals.
  1. Serves as a member of the Technology Committee.

Eligibility

An applicant for the position of Associate Technology Coordinator must be a current ABC member in good standing. Members of the Executive Committee are not eligible to serve as Associate Technology Coordinator.

Appointment

A call for applications will be disseminated. The Executive Committee will review applications.

Qualifications

To serve as the Associate Technology Coordinator, the applicant must:

  1. Have an interest in helping ABC achieve its organizational goals.
  1. Have experience in web design or user-interface design.
  1. Have editorial and/or administrative experience.
  1. Be comfortable working with both ABC administrators and web programming professionals.

In addition to demonstrating these qualities, applications for the position should include:

  1. The applicant’s current academic position and a description of duties.
  1. A current vita.
  1. Goals for the website(s).

Reimbursement for Expense

The Association reimburses the Associate Technology Coordinator for travel expenses incurred for the annual international conference up to $2000.

 

035-003        Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator

Overview of Duties

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator will:

  1. Work to increase membership and participation among historically under-represented groups in ABC.
  1. Sponsor projects, programs, and events related to diversity and inclusion issues, challenges, and opportunities. Sponsor panels at the annual ABC conference and, when possible, regional ABC conferences.
  1. Evaluate nominations to determine the recipient of the Distinction in the Practice of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award.
  1. Collect members’ diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility input at venues such as ABC Connect; use the information as a basis for making continuous improvement suggestions to the Board on an ongoing basis.
  1. Consult with ABC Headquarters on accessibility efforts. For example, provide accessibility checklist for conference venues.
  1. Attend the ABC Board meetings as a non-voting member of the Board of Directors to observe and participate in the business of the organization.
  1. Participate in the Board’s forum communication throughout the year.
  1. Provide a status report to the Executive Committee twice a year (April 1 and September 1).

Eligibility To Serve

Current ABC members with knowledge and expertise in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility issues are encouraged to apply to serve as the ABC Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator. Members with experience on ABC’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee are preferred. Interested applicants will be required to provide the following documents:

  1. Curriculum vita or professional résumé
  1. At least two letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicants’ experiences in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility
  1. One-page summary of their qualifications specific to the duties of the position

Appointment

A call for applications will be disseminated to the ABC membership and posted to the ABC website. The Executive Committee will review the applicants, and the ABC Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator will be appointed by the Vice President. The Coordinator will serve a four-year renewable term.

Reports Required

Status Report to the Executive Committee. This report lists the duties of the position and the various charges for the current year. The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator reports what has transpired since the last report (for the Board meeting at the Annual Conference) and the plans for the current year. Reports are to be submitted electronically to the Executive Director and the Vice President by April 1 each year.

Annual Report to the Board of Directors. This report lists the duties of the position and the various charges for the current year. This report includes recognition of members of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee who have made substantial contributions to the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator’s efforts and includes suggestions for the next year’s charges. The Coordinator prepares the report and submits it electronically to the Executive Director and the Vice President by September 1 each year. The report should include persuasive rationales for any recommendations/proposals.

 

035-004        Employment Opportunities Coordinator

Overview of Duties

The Employment Opportunities Coordinator provides job search assistance to both applicants and hiring institutions or businesses. The Coordinator’s duties are to:

  1. Forward ABC website postings to headquarters for billing prior to posting.
  1. Coordinate postings of positions with the ABC Technology Coordinator.
  1. Organize the placement site as well as two notebooks to be available at the annual conference; one with applicant information and one with position information.
  1. Accept one-page vitae from graduate students and from any ABC member interested in finding employment options for inclusion in application information notebook. Student vitae can be posted by members or non-members; students do not have to be registered conference attendees.
  1. Offer ABC conference attendees the opportunity to peruse both notebooks over Thursday and Friday during the annual conference.
  1. Promote screening interviews at the conference.
  1. Initiate follow-up contact with correspondent at companies/institutions to determine the success of position postings on the website.
  1. Make recommendations to the Board regarding placement issues.

Reports

The Employment Opportunities Coordinator prepares and submits status reports to the Executive Committee by April 1 and September 1.

 

035-005        Historian and Newsletter Editor

Overview of Duties

The Historian and Newsletter Editor will:

  1. Attend the ABC Board meetings during the annual international conference as a non-voting member of the Board of Directors to observe the business of the organization.
  1. Participate in the Board's forum communication throughout the year.
  1. Collect information for, edit, and archive the association’s newsletters on a quarterly basis.
  1. Gather and archive historical ABC documents, such as conference programs, reports, and photographs. Note: the Historian is not expected to attend every ABC regional conference; the Historian should, however, coordinate with the appropriate conference chair(s) or regional vice president to gather the necessary materials for posting on the ABC website.
  1. Work with the Marketing and Membership Committee and ABC’s Communication and Technology Coordinator to determine historical content of value for both members and visitors to the ABC website.
  1. Review ABC’s website regularly to ensure historical information is correct and coordinate updates as needed with ABC’s Communication and Technology Coordinator and/or Business Manager. This information would include such things as an ongoing record of officers, board members, conference chairs and programs, and award winners each year.
  1. Record oral history interviews with past presidents and post transcripts to the ABC website.
  1. Provide a status report to the Executive Committee twice a year (April 1 and September 1).

Eligibility To Serve

Any current ABC member is eligible to serve as the Historian and Newsletter Editor.

Appointment

A call for nominations will be disseminated. The Executive Committee will review nominees. The ABC Historian will be appointed by the Executive Committee and serve a four-year renewable term.

Support

Airline and hotel expenses up to $1250 will be reimbursed to the ABC Historian to support travel to the annual international conference. An additional $750 may be reimbursed for airline and/or hotel expenses to attend regional conferences or other ABC events as approved by the Executive Committee. ABC will waive the Historian’s registration fees for any ABC conferences attended.

Reports Required

Status Report to Executive Committee. This report lists the duties of the position and the various charges given by the current President for the current year. The Historian reports what has transpired since the last report (for the Board meeting at the Annual Conference) and the plans for the current year. Reports are to be submitted electronically to the Executive Director and President by April 1 each year.

Annual Report to the Board of Directors. This report lists the position’s duties and various charges given by the current President. This report includes recognition of members who have made substantial contributions to the Historian’s efforts and includes suggestions for the next year’s charges. The Historian prepares the report and submits it electronically to the Executive Director and President by September 1 each year. The report should include persuasive rationales for any recommendations/proposals.

 

035-006        Publications Board

Overview of Duties

In addition to Bylaws 3.5.1 and 3.5.2, the Publications Board:

  1. Coordinates with the editors about special issues of the International Journal of Business Communication and Business and Professional Communication Quarterly (08-001 and 08-002 of the Operational Guidelines). The guidelines for special issues may be found on the ABC website.
  1. Assists the editors in effective transition when new editors are selected.
  1. Solicits nominations for and selects the winner (if any) of the:
  • ABC awards for Distinguished Publication on Business Communication
  • Outstanding Article in the International Journal of Business Communication
  • Outstanding Article in the Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  1. The chair of the Publications Board notifies the Executive Director of the winners of these ABC awards. The Executive Director will then notify the sponsor of the award, if there is a current sponsor. The criteria for awards are found in items 070-006 and 070-008 of the Operational Guidelines.
  1. Reviews financial support for editors prior to appointment and throughout their terms of office and proposes changes for approval by the Board whenever the support is inadequate or inappropriate.

Membership

Refer to Bylaw 3.4.  Three-year terms begin on January 1. The Proceedings Editor serves as a member of the Publications Board.

Board Meeting

If the chair of the Publications Board is not already a member of the Board of Directors, the Board explicitly directs the chair to attend Board Meetings as an observer in order to better inform the Board about ABC publications and to make the Publications Board aware of Board discussions.

Reports

Status Report to the Executive Committee. This report lists the duties of the position and the various charges for the current year. The Chair of the Publications Board reports what has transpired since the last report (for the Board meeting at the Annual Conference) and the plans for the current year. Reports are to be submitted electronically to the Executive Director by April 1 each year.

Annual Report to the Board of Directors. This report lists the duties of the position and the various charges for the current year. This report includes recognition of members of the Publications Board who have made substantial contributions to the Publications Board’s efforts and includes suggestions for the next year’s charges. The Chair prepares the report and submits it electronically to the Executive Director by September 1 each year. The report should include persuasive rationales for any recommendations/proposals.

 

035-007        Nominating Committee

Overview of Duties

Refer to Bylaws 1.4, 3.3.7, 3.4.1 and 3.6.3.

Membership

Refer to Bylaw 1.4.1.

Reports

The Nominating Committee’s report to the Board includes a list of continuing Board members and the year each term expires. The chair collaborates with the committee to prepare and submit reports to the Board.

 

035-008        C. R. Anderson Research Fund (CRARF) Committee

Overview of Duties

The C. R. Anderson Research Fund (CRARF) Committee, which reports to both the ABC Board and the Business Communication Research Foundation, will:

  1. Mentor early-career and emerging scholars.
  1. Manage the CRARF grant application process.
  1. Make recommendations to the Business Communication Research Foundation (which includes the ABC Executive Director, the ABC President, the ABC Immediate Past President, and two other past presidents) about which applicants should receive funds from CRARF.
  1. Manage and maintain records concerning the grant recipients’ progress and results.
  1. Share information about grant applications, grant awards, and grantees’ progress with both the ABC Board and the Business Communication Research Foundation.

Membership

The CRARF Chair is appointed by the incoming ABC President to serve during the President’s term of office.

Reports

Status Report to the Board of Directors and the Business Communication Research Foundation. This report lists the duties of the position and the various charges for the current year. The Chair of the CRARF Committee reports what has transpired since the last report (for the Board meeting at the Annual Conference) and the plans for the current year. Reports are to be submitted electronically to the ABC Board shared files by April 1 each year.

Annual Report to the Board of Directors and the Business Communication Research Foundation. This report lists the duties of the position and the various charges for the current year. This report includes recognition of members of the CRARF Committee who have made substantial contributions to the CRARF Committee’s efforts and includes suggestions for the next year’s charges. The Chair prepares the report and submits it electronically to the Board shared files by September 1 each year. The report should include persuasive rationales for any recommendations/proposals.