Board member responsibilities can account for up to 250 hours annually, including but not limited to traveling and attending Board meetings, attendance at Taxposium, and optional attendance at a Tax Forum and one (1) to two (2) chapter events. Whenever practical, Board meetings will be held virtually.
You do not need to make arrangements for the scheduled Board meetings; however, you will be responsible for hotel arrangements for chapter meetings/events you may attend.
NATP will typically make the travel arrangements for Board members. If Board members choose to make their own travel arrangements, reimbursement will be made based on NATP's travel guidelines. For travel days on behalf of NATP, a per diem is paid in lieu of actual expense reimbursement for meals.
Board members receive a daily stipend while attending regularly scheduled Board meetings. Board members also receive compensation and reimbursement for associated expenses for each day of a chapter event attended as the National representative. Board members also receive free registration for all NATP education.
There is no limit.
An individual must be an NATP member at least 25 years old and in good standing, have completed at least 8 hours of education provided by NATP either at the state or national level per year for each of the past two (2) years, have worked full-time or part-time in the tax preparation industry, have been a member of NATP for at least three of the last five years, and have attended at least one (1) in-person, educational event provided by NATP national within the last two (2) years.
There are no specific educational requirements defined for a National Board member, but each candidate should be knowledgeable in the tax, accounting and/or financial fields.
Absolutely. Any member who meets the minimum eligibility requirements can run for the Board.
No, a potential candidate is not required to be a member of an NATP chapter. NATP has many members in states that do not have a chapter, and those members have an equal opportunity to apply as a potential candidate for NATP’s Board of Directors. That being said, it would be advantageous to have previous leadership experience. If your state does not have a chapter, it is beneficial for potential candidates to become active at some level within NATP. This can be by serving as a volunteer, serving on a workgroup, visiting nearby chapters, etc.
Candidates will be asked to voluntarily disclose any disciplinary issues. In addition, NATP may complete a review of the IRS, state tax agency and publicly available websites.
The prospective candidate should be innovative and capable of thinking five to 10 years into the future. Time management, recognizing the necessity of deadlines, working well with others and the ability to compromise are essential characteristics of an effective Board member. Each Board member must consider that they represent the entire membership and commit to putting their individual feelings aside for the good of the organization and membership as a whole.
No, there are no geographic limits on who may apply.
The process begins with a formal request for a candidate packet from the national office at [email protected]. Once your eligibility is confirmed, you will submit a valid, timely-received packet to the national office. The nominations committee will evaluate your submission and conduct nominee interviews. Once the interview process is complete, a final slate of candidates is submitted to the membership. Members vote, then the ballots are tabulated and certified by a third-party balloting firm. Nominees are contacted and notified of the results before the announcement of the newly elected Board members is made to the membership.
A waiver is signed as part of the packet you submit as a candidate for the National Board. This waiver allows the nominations committee to use your information and release it to NATP members and the current Board of Directors for voting purposes.
Campaigning is not allowed. The national organization will provide the members with the list of nominees selected for the ballot and supporting information.
The Board is not involved in the day-to-day operations of NATP. It is the duty of the Board to establish the vision for the association, provide oversight and fulfill its fiduciary responsibility to the membership.
Yes, email and virtual meetings are a very convenient and effective way to communicate between the members, chapters, staff and Board of Directors.
Board members are encouraged to volunteer their knowledge and experience to help with the instruction of certain subjects from time to time. Board members may serve as speakers, but they may not be compensated for such services, whether from the national organization or an NATP chapter, while serving on the Board.
The NATP bylaws allow nine to 11 National Board members to be elected.
Board members are elected to serve a three-year term and may run for re-election at the end of those three years. They may only serve nine years in any 14-year period.