How governance at ACA has evolved over the years.
10/9/2019 9:00
Members are the lifeblood of ACA International. They dedicate their time, industry experience and knowledge to the association by participating in committees, teaching seminars, meeting with legislators and so much more, as reported in this month’s Collector magazine Last Word column.
Plus, as you can see from the photo featured here, each year members enthusiastically campaign for officer seats on ACA’s Board of Directors, the association’s governing body.
ACA’s leadership structure has evolved over the years. The association’s first slate of officers, carried over from the Pacific Coast Association, consisted of a president, first vice president, second vice president, secretary-treasurer and editor. In 1944, ACA’s bylaws named these elected officers the “Executive Committee.” The bylaws also changed the title of office manager-editor to executive secretary, though the duties remained the same.
In addition to the Executive Committee, ACA had a large Board of Directors. Early boards elected the Executive Committee officers until 1948, when the board began nominating officers and association members and electing them at the annual convention.
In the early 1980s, the position of first vice president was renamed president-elect, and the second vice president became the vice president. The board grew as the membership expanded, and in the 1990s and early 2000s, divisions were created for vendors, creditors, attorneys and asset buyers, each of which received board representation.
In 2010, ACA formed a task force to review the association’s governance structure and processes to ensure highly effective leadership. On March 22, 2012, ACA members voted to approve the most significant changes to the association’s governance structure in its history. The changes included the elimination of the Executive Committee (which had consisted of five elected officers, plus the CEO), a major reduction to the size of the Board of Directors and the creation of the new Council of Delegates.
“The new structure will make governing our association more effective and efficient while giving even more members the opportunity to be involved and voice their opinion,” Mark Neeb, 2011/12 ACA president and current CEO, said at the time.
Today’s Board of Directors consists of 15 elected members who govern the affairs, activities and concerns of the association. On the board are three officers: president, president-elect and treasurer. Members of the Council of Delegates are elected by the units and divisions, and are responsible for reviewing and approving bylaw amendments, bringing proposals to the board for consideration and electing board members.
Throughout ACA International’s 80th anniversary year, Collector magazine will be featuring photos marking important moments in the association’s and accounts receivable management industry’s history. You can keep up with ACA’s anniversary coverage on Twitter by following #ACA80years.
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