APSE logo. A green 1 behind the "E". Text: Employment First, Employment for All.

The APSE National Board of Directors seeks 3 At-Large and 1 Regional Delegate position (Mid-Atlantic) through this year’s call for nominations.

National APSE is seeking members who have the expertise, talent, and desire to actively contribute to our national leadership. APSE is passionate about its role in leading the Employment First advocacy and policy movement.

People with disabilities, family members, those with financial and/or fundraising experience, transition coordinators, representatives of the business community, human resource professionals, direct-service community employment professionals, chapter leaders, and anyone that represents the rich diversity reflected in the communities in which our members work and serve are encouraged to apply. APSE’s goal is to have candidates/future board members that reflect the diversity of our members and our chapters across race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion/faith tradition, and gender identity, and who represent other marginalized communities. We strive to be an inclusive and welcoming organization. The Board invites current APSE members who desire to actively contribute financial talents to our Board and especially encourage those with lived experience in equity, diversity, and inclusion.

APSE is committed to inviting and attracting a diverse board of directors. We encourage and welcome all to apply. Come with your different experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives. Your input and insights will greatly add to the conversation and the work we are doing.

Nominations are open to any current APSE member willing to serve and able to fulfill the commitments outlined in this announcement. We are looking for people who are interested in leadership at the national level to champion Employment First and advance employment and self-sufficiency for all people with disabilities.

Not an APSE member, but interested in this leadership opportunity? Click here to become a member: https://apse.org/membership/

Interested in the Opportunity?

Please read the important information on the position described below.  Nominations are due February 22, 2023 at 8pm ET (7:00 CT, 6:00 MT, 5:00 Pt).  If you are interested in being considered, click this link: Nomination Form.

Requests for accommodations can be made to info@apse.org

What Positions are Open?

There are 3 At-Large and 1 Regional Delegate position (Mid-Atlantic) open for election this year.

APSE has two categories of board members: At-Large Board Members and Regional Delegates. Both categories are voting members of the APSE National Board. Per APSE’s by-laws, no more than two board members may be from one state.

• At-Large Members: At-Large Board Members are elected by all APSE members who vote in the election. At-Large members represent the full membership. Three At-Large Board Members will be elected this year. Each will serve a three-year term. Please note that individuals from Indiana and New York are not eligible for this election cycle.

• Regional Delegates: Regional Delegates serve directly on the National APSE Board, representing the needs of the chapters in their region, and serving as members of the Delegates Council. Regional Delegates are elected by the APSE members in their geographic regions only. Please note that individuals from Pennsylvania are not eligible in this cycle for this position. However, the individual could run as an At-Large member.

  • One Regional Delegate will be elected this year to serve a three-year term representing the Mid-Atlantic Region, which includes the states of Delaware, Washington DC, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

Please click here for the Position Descriptions and a full list of Board Duties.

Board Member Responsibilities

The National APSE Board of Directors is responsible for planning and implementing strategies to strengthen and increase the growth and financial health of APSE and promote its mission to advance employment and self-sufficiency for all people with disabilities. The primary board member responsibilities involve the fiscal and strategic operational oversight of APSE, and this is accomplished, in large part, through participation in virtual monthly board meetings, active work on at least two committees, and presence at both the summer and fall in-person board planning events each year. Please see below for the job description and a full list of board duties.

Current committees include:

  • Board Development
  • Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
  • Delegates Council
  • Finance
  • Professional Development
  • Public Policy
  • Chapter Development

Board Member Commitments

Individuals interested in running for the National APSE Board of Directors must:

  • Be a current member of National APSE (individual or business)
  • Be an active member of your state APSE chapter (unless your state does not have a chapter, in case you must be an active member of National APSE)
  • Have a demonstrated interest and involvement in integrated community-based employment for citizens with disabilities and in advancing Employment First
  • Sign agreeing to APSE's Mission and Values, APSE’s Ethical Guidelines, APSE’s Conflict of Interest, and Board of Directors Position Description of the relevant position
  • Uphold integrated, community-based employment values and principles and demonstrate these principles in their respective activities and occupations
  • Understand that board members do not receive remuneration of any kind (including free conference registration) or reimbursement for time or travel (except in rare circumstances) for their presence and participation in the two annually required (summer and fall) planning events.

Time Commitments

You are responsible for your own costs. All members of the APSE Board of Directors serve as volunteers and are not compensated for their time.  As Board Members, Directors can expect to spend, at a minimum, 6-10 hours a month participating in APSE activities. These activities include:

  • Preparing for and participating in monthly (regularly scheduled) virtual board meetings and, when needed, special virtual meetings for time-sensitive business
  • Serving on and actively contributing time, energy, and effort to at least two APSE national committees (Regional Delegates serve on the Delegates Council, which fulfills one committee requirement.
  • Additional preparation, presence, and participation in all required board activities (including the two required planning events annually and the national conference). The first required planning event is at least a full day and a half and is held on-site just prior to the national conference. The second required planning event is at least two and a half days in the Rockville, MD area in the fall.
  • Actively contributing and assisting with the ongoing development and growth of APSE as an organization.
  • Meeting additional obligations as an officer, if applicable. The same may be true for those holding Regional Delegate positions.

If you are interested in this opportunity, which will connect you to other national leaders in the Employment First arena, we hope you will consider answering this Call for Nominations.

Nomination Process

Nominations are due February 22, 2023, BY 8:00 PM ET, 7:00PM CT, 6:00PM MT, 5:00 PM PT.

Board positions begin June 2023. All new board members must attend board member orientation, a virtual event in 2023. For further details on the role and duties of the APSE board members see the attached APSE Board Member Position Description.

Online Nomination Process: Candidates will need to provide the following to complete their nomination:

  1. Photo
  2. Two letters of support
  3. The Nomination form (includes demographic and open-ended questions)
  4. Signed and Submitted APSE Ethical Guidelines, APSE’s Conflict of Interest, and Job Position of the relevant position on the Nomination Form.

When your nominations are received, you will receive an email confirmation.

If you do not receive your confirmation email, your submission is incomplete and your should please email info@apse.org. Please also note that your photo and the information provided in your Nomination Form will be posted on APSE’s website and printed on the ballot.

If you have questions regarding the board member categories or election process, please contact the Board Development Chair, Pamela Grider-Cross  pcross@cadsinc.net.

Reasonable Accommodations

APSE will provide reasonable accommodations to board members to ensure their full participation as board members.