Operational Alignment:  Outline areas of the organization’s yearly conference (in-person or virtual) where volunteers can assist the APDT Board and Staff in planning, executing, and evaluating the annual event.

Mission:  To ensure that individuals attending the APDT annual conference leave the event with a first-rate experience of inclusiveness, networking and social interactions.

Purpose (Role):

1. To brainstorm ideas maximizing the conference attendee experience, including celebrating the past accomplishments, current projects, and future endeavors of the APDT.
2. To manage the solicitation, coordination, and management of the Border Collies before, during, and after the conference. Only APDT members can attend conference committee meetings, while non-members may volunteer to be a Border Collie at conference.
3. To ensure that all volunteers receive the necessary training, communication, and orientation for their roles at conference. This training must be completed before conference.
4. To volunteer at conference in areas to be determined by the committee (i.e. registration desk, Border Collie registration, exhibit hall, tote-bag stuffing, and receptions or to welcome guests to the conference and monitor chat rooms for a virtual event).
5. Differentiate the APDT conference from other industry conferences.

Deliverables:  Report ideas on improving the conference attendee experience and areas where individuals need to volunteer.  Chair (or Co-Chairs) is/are responsible for providing a written report each month to be included in the APDT Board consent agenda document, regardless if a meeting was conducted.

Prerequisite Experience:  Experience as a volunteer at other industry conferences (in-person or virtual) is desired, but not necessary.

Resources:  The committee will work with the following staff: APDT Executive Director, Event Manager. Communications will be via email and on-line community, with one (1) conference call every other month.  Committee members are expected to register and attend the 2021 APDT conference in Riverside, CA to participate as on-site volunteers.

Authority/Limitations:  Members of the committee are not official representatives of the APDT and cannot represent the APDT on a local, national or international level without the prior written permission from the Board.

Number of Members:  6-10 Members + Board Liaison + Executive Director + Event Manager

Chair:  TBD

Board Liaison:  Sandy Modell

Method of Committee Member Selection:  The Board of Directors shall appoint the Chair (or Co-Chairs) to the committee.  The members of the committee will be selected from a call for volunteers from the general membership. Members of the committee are required to sign the APDT confidentiality and conflict of interest forms.

Accountability:  The Chair (or Co-Chairs) and committee members are responsible to the Executive Director and the board of directors.

Frequency of Meetings:  Conference calls will be held on a bi-monthly basis and may become more frequent when the Chair (or Co-Chairs) deems necessary.  Other work will be communicated electronically via email or through the online community.

Proposed Date:  ASAP
Effective Date: January 1, 2021
Duration:  12 months
Community Group:  2021 Conference Committee

Operational Alignment:  Develop and evaluate educational opportunities that are included in the APDT strategic plan.

Mission:  To ensure that the association’s educational programs meet the expectations of the membership and public.

Purpose (Role):

1. To serve as industry experts in the development of educational programs.
2. To provide speaker and/or topic ideas.
3. To create educational materials to promote LIMA
4. Update the Body of Knowledge
5. To assist in creating, launching and updating (every two years) CLASS curricula.
6. To develop a career path roadmap for professional dog trainers of all levels.

Deliverables:  Reporting on new educational opportunities, status of multi-week courses and webinars, and metrics to determine their success.  Chair is responsible to provide a written report each month to be included in the Board consent agenda.

Prerequisite Experience:  Experience with educational program development.  Previous experience as a speaker or education provider preferred, but not necessary.

Resources:  The committee will work with the following staff: APDT Director of Education. Communications will be via email, with one (1) conference call every other month.  Committee members should plan to attend the 2021 APDT conference in Riverside, CA to participate in an in-person committee meeting.

Authority/Limitations:  Members of the committee are not official representatives of the APDT and cannot represent the APDT on a local, national or international level without the prior written permission from the Board.

Number of Members:  4-6 Members + Board Liaison + Director of Education

Chair: Tabitha Davis

Co-Chair: OPEN

Board Liaison:  Inga From

Method of Committee Member Selection:  The Board of Directors shall appoint the Chair to the committee.  The members of the committee will be selected from a call for volunteers from the general membership. Members of the committee are required to sign the APDT confidentiality and conflict of interest forms.

Accountability:  The Chair and committee members are responsible to the Executive Director and the board of directors.

Frequency of Meetings:  Conference calls will be held on a bi-monthly basis and may become more frequent when the chair deems necessary.  Other work will be communicated electronically via email or through the online community.

Proposed Date:  ASAP
Effective Date:  January 1, 2021
Duration:  12 months
Community Group:  2021 Education Committee

Operational Alignment:  Evaluate substantiated complaints against members that violate the Professional Code of Ethics.

Mission:  To ensure that the association’s members are being held to the high standards of conduct and professionalism in the dog training industry.

Purpose (Role):

1. To evaluate complaints and examine evidence to support the complaint against a member.
2. To continue to monitor and adjust (when necessary) the procedures to address complaints against members.
3. To make recommendations to the APDT Board on the results of completed complaints.
4. To look for ways to help educate the membership on the standards set by the Board.

Deliverables:  Reporting on complaints reviewed by the committee to the APDT Board in addition to any recommendations for action with the member(s) in question.  Chair is responsible to provide a written report each month to be included in the Board consent agenda.

Prerequisite Experience:  Experience with conflict resolution, mediation and reviewing evidence.  Ability to keep all communications and files confidential.

Resources:  The committee will work with the following staff: APDT Executive Director.  Communications will be via email, with one (1) conference call every month or as needed.

Authority/Limitations:  Members of the committee are not official representatives of the APDT and cannot represent the APDT on a local, national or international level without the prior written permission from the Board.

Number of Members:  3-4 Members + Board Liaison + Executive Director

Chair: TBD

Board Liaison:  Heidi Meinzer

Method of Committee Member Selection:  The Board of Directors shall appoint the Chair to the committee along with each member of the committee.  Members of the committee are required to sign the APDT confidentiality and conflict of interest forms.

Accountability:  The Chair and committee members are responsible to the Executive Director and the board of directors.

Frequency of Meetings:  Conference calls will be held on a monthly basis and may become more frequent when the chair deems necessary.  Other work will be communicated electronically via email or through the online community.

Proposed Date:  ASAP
Effective Date:  January 1, 2021
Duration:  12 months
Community Group:  2020 Ethics Committee

Operational Alignment:  To review and analyze financial data, investment performance and the annual budgeting process.

Mission:  To ensure that the association’s financial viability, investment performance in relation to the investment policy and budget metrics are meeting performance expectations.

Purpose (Role):

1. To review quarterly financial statements.
2. To review quarterly investment statements and related benchmarks.
3. To work with the CFO and Executive Director on preparing the annual budget for approval by the board of directors.

Deliverables:  Reporting on quarterly financial statements, investment performance and budget metrics to the board of directors.  Chair is responsible to provide a written report each month to be included in the Board consent agenda.

Prerequisite Experience:  Experience with financial statements, investment report analysis and developing budgets.

Resources:  The committee will work with the following staff: APDT Executive Director and CFO. Communications will be via email, with one (1) conference call per quarter.

Authority/Limitations:  Members of the committee are not official representatives of the APDT and cannot represent the APDT on a local, national or international level without the prior written permission from the Board.

Number of Members:  3-5 Members + Executive Director + CFO

Chair/Board Liaison: Ben Bennink, Secretary/Treasurer

Method of Task Force Member Selection:  The Board of Directors shall appoint the Chair to the committee and will work with the Chair to appoint the at-large members to the committee. Members of the committee are required to sign the APDT confidentiality and conflict of interest forms.

Accountability:  The Chair and committee members are responsible to the Executive Director and the board of directors.

Frequency of Meetings:  Conference calls will be held on a quarterly basis and may become more frequent leading up the preparation of the annual budget or at other times throughout the year when the chair deems necessary.  Other work will be communicated electronically via email or through the online community.

Proposed Date:  ASAP
Effective Date: January 1, 2021
Duration:  12 months
Community Group:  2021 Finance Committee

Operational Alignment:  Reviewing documents and positions/opinions of the organization to position the APDT as the go-to organization for consumers, trainers, behaviorists, legislators, media, etc.

Mission:  To ensure that all the association’s legal documents and position(s) on legislation are current and reflective of the membership and the dog training industry.

Purpose (Role):

1. To review organization position statements and make recommendations of any changes or additions to the Board.
2. To follow and report on legislation and grassroot legislative activities that affect the membership.
3. To follow through on APDT’s 2019-member survey (UK Survey) on the members’ opinions of regulations/licensing.
4. Create a sample legislative packet for licensing of dog trainers and behavior consultants.
5. Explore whether to establish a PAC and identify other organizations like AVMA who have PACS and/or lobby to create alliances for legislative efforts.
6. For the 2022 legislative session, create a legislative strategy and identify and approach the most promising state legislature with our legislative packet.

Deliverables:  Reporting to the Board any recommendations to update the position statements, updates on legislative matters, and a report on the member survey (regulations/licensing).  Chair is responsible to provide a written report each month to be included in the Board consent agenda.

Prerequisite Experience:  Background in drafting or reviewing position statements, familiarity with the legislative process and drafting survey questions.

Resources:  The task force will work with the following staff: APDT Executive Director. Communications will be via email and online community, with conferences via phone or Zoom as needed.

Authority/Limitations:  Members of the task force are not official representatives of the APDT and cannot represent the APDT on a local, national or international level without the prior written permission from the Board.

Number of Members:  4-6 Members + Board Liaison + Executive Director

Chair:  TBD

Board Liaison: Fanna Easter

Method of Task Force Member Selection:  The Board of Directors shall appoint the Chair to the task force and will work with the Chair to appoint the at-large members to the task force. Members of the task force are required to sign the APDT confidentiality and conflict of interest forms.

Accountability:  The Chair and task force members are responsible to the Executive Director and the board of directors.

Frequency of Meetings:  Conference calls will be held typically on a monthly basis and may become more frequent per the direction of the chair.  Other work will be communicated electronically via email or through the online community.

Proposed Date: ASAP
Effective Date: January 1, 2021
Duration: 12 Months
Community Group: 2021 Legislative Task Force

Operational Alignment:  Develop and evaluate marketing and communications opportunities that are included in the APDT strategic plan and the initiatives on membership and revenue growth outlined by the Board in 2020.

Mission:  To ensure that the association’s marketing efforts and communications effectively and accurately represent the mission of the organization. The committee will implement resources that will educate, advocate and help our membership grow in their knowledge of the professional dog training industry.

Purpose (Role):

1. To promote the mission, vision and values of APDT.
2. To establish best practices for style and content that is used in all communications.
3. To provide guidance on APDT representation at industry events to create brand awareness.
4. To assist in content strategy for the APDT website, The Chronicle of the Dog (COTD), SPEAK!, and other media channels.
5. To provide content ideas and quarterly content review of the COTD.
6. To oversee current and future work on the APDT brand in relation to LIMA and the Body of Knowledge (BOK).

Deliverables:  Reporting on new marketing opportunities, effectiveness of marketing campaigns, and metrics to determine their success.  Chair is responsible to provide a written report each month to be included in the board consent agenda.

Prerequisite Experience:  Experience with marketing principles and experience with effective communications.  Previous experience in a marketing, editing or communications role preferred, but not necessary.

Resources:  The committee will work with the following staff: APDT Marketing, Communications & Project Manager. Communications will be primarily via email/FB group (as needed), with four (4) quarterly conference calls per year.  Committee members should plan to attend the 2021 APDT conference in Riverside, CA to participate in an in-person committee meeting.  Committee members shall actively share, like and positively comment on posts created by APDT staff that will appear on various social media sites (i.e. APDT Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram).

Authority/Limitations:  Members of the committee are not official representatives of the APDT and cannot represent the APDT on a local, national or international level without the prior written permission from the board.

Number of Members:  4-6 members + board liaison + Marketing, Communications & Project Manager

Chair: Trevor Smith

Board Liaison:  Michael Baugh

Method of Committee Member Selection:  The board of directors shall appoint the chair to the committee.  The members of the committee will be selected from a call for volunteers from the general membership. Members of the committee are required to sign the APDT confidentiality and conflict of interest forms.

Accountability:  The chair and committee members are responsible to the Executive Director and the board of directors.

Frequency of Meetings:  Conference calls will be held on a quarterly basis (January, April, July and October-in person) and may become more frequent when the chair deems necessary.  Other work will be communicated electronically via email or through the online community.

Proposed Date:  ASAP
Effective Date:  January 1, 2021
Duration:  12 months
Community Group:  N/A (Facebook Group)

Operational Alignment:  Pursue opportunities to learn more about the reasons and factors why trainers join and/or leave the association.

Mission:  To work towards improving membership growth, membership retention and the return on investment for current and prospective members.

Purpose (Role):

1. To pursue membership benefits from the supporting members, exhibitors and sponsors to promote to the membership.
2. To discuss and implement membership retention strategies.
3. To achieve the initiatives created by the Board to grow membership and revenue, including goals and objectives outlined in the APDT strategic plan, including:

– Research creative ways to help our members earn money during and after the pandemic, including wholesale opportunities with vendors and sponsors, etc.

-Create a company membership model to submit to the Board for approval.

-Conduct research on how many trainers there are in the industry and who are the largest organizations with trainers.

-Analyze the needs and desires of the Next Gen and focus on attracting them to our organization.

-Create strategies for member engagement.

4. Create and review surveys for the membership on topics relevant to the association’s strategic plan and/or directed by the Board.

Deliverables:  Creating and communicating new and vibrant membership benefits to the membership.  Develop statistical information and metrics to determine how to better retain members.  Chair is responsible to provide a written report each month to be included in the Board consent agenda.

Prerequisite Experience:  Background in evaluating membership growth and retention strategies, and surveying.  Must attend at least 8 monthly meetings in the year (no more than 4 missed meetings).  Understand the time commitment is 3-5 hours of work a month including the hour-long meeting.  Willing to participate in discussions and complete given tasks in a timely manner.

Resources:  The task force will work with the following staff: APDT Executive Director. Communications will be via email and online community, with one (1) conference/video call per month on the 3^rd Monday at 3:00 pm EST.

Authority/Limitations:  Members of the task force are not official representatives of the APDT and cannot represent the APDT on a local, national or international level without the prior written permission from the Board.

Number of Members:  4-6 Members + Board Liaison + Staff

Co-Chairs: Heidi Dixner, Erica Marshall

Board Liaison:  Ben Bennink

Method of Task Force Member Selection:  The Board of Directors shall appoint the Chair to the task force and will work with the Chair to appoint the at-large members to the task force. Members of the task force are required to sign the APDT confidentiality and conflict of interest forms.

Accountability:  The Chair and task force members are responsible to the Executive Director and the board of directors.

Frequency of Meetings:  Conference calls will be held on a monthly basis (3^rd Monday of the month at 3:00 pm EST) and may become more frequent per the direction of the chair.  Other work will be communicated electronically via email or through the online community.

Proposed Date:  ASAP
Effective Date: January 1, 2021
Duration:  12 Months
Community Group:  2021 Membership Task Force

There are so many benefits to membership, available resources and learning opportunities that a new member could feel lost. This where the Member Ambassador Program comes in! Each state and several countries have a Member Ambassador who personally emails every new member in their area to welcome them to the organization.

Member Ambassadors not only extend a personal welcome, but also helpful tips for finding the many benefits of membership and an offer of personal help in navigating the association. Many Ambassadors even offer to meet with new members to network and put a human face on the organization.

FIND A MEMBER AMBASSADOR IN YOUR REGION!

Operational Alignment:  The 2021 Nominating Committee role is to evaluate the needs of the current board of directors and recommend nominees to fill the vacancies that occur in the rotation of board members each year.

Operational Alignment:  Follow APDT bylaws and nominating committee processes.

Mission:  Following APDT bylaws and procedures of APDT, present a slate of recommended candidates to the APDT board of directors and membership for the 2021 elections.

Purpose (Role):

1. To evaluate the needs of the current APDT board of directors.
2. To actively promote the opportunity to become nominated for the board election.
3. To evaluate the nominees to determine the best fit for the APDT board of directors.
4. To present a slate of recommended candidates to the APDT board of directors.
5. To investigate opportunities to improve the promotion of the nominations and election processes.

Deliverables:  Slate of recommended candidates delivered to the APDT board of directors for approval.  Chair is responsible to provide a written report each month to be included in the Board consent agenda.

Prerequisite Experience:  Each member of the committee should have real world experience or a working background in volunteer leadership and governance.

Resources:  The 2021 Nominating Committee will have an e-group on the APDT online community dedicated to committee business. They may also make use of an APDT conference call line for regular telephone meetings. The committee will work with the following staff: APDT Executive Director.

Authority/Limitations:

• Members of the committee are not official representatives of the APDT and cannot represent the APDT on a local, national or international level without prior written permission from the Board.
• The 2021 Nominating Committee’s primary role is nominating candidates for open board seats – all work product and communication vehicles requires review by the applicable staff and board of directors approval prior to implementation to ensure adherence to the board strategic plan.

Number of Members:  4-7 per the bylaws.  The Nominating Committee will consist of one (1) past Association Director that is no longer serving on the Board; a minimum of two (2) and up to four (4) Premium Professional, Professional, or Lifetime members of the Association; and a current member of the Board that will not be up for election or nomination, who will serve as liaison to the committee.  The Chair shall appoint the chair for the Nominating Committee among the members of the committee approved by the Board.  The Board may also appoint a non-member to the committee in an advisory role who has a specific background in association management and/or board governance.  The term of the committee will be for one year.  At the close of the twelve (12) month period, members may be reappointed for a second year at the Board’s discretion.

Chair/Board Liaison: Khara Schuetzner

Method of Committee Member Selection:  The board of directors shall select members. Members are required to sign confidentiality and conflict of interest forms.

Accountability:  The Chair and committee are responsible to the associated staff contact and the APDT board of directors.

Frequency of Meetings:  The Chair and Executive Director will prepare a schedule to accomplish all of the tasks of the committee leading up to the 2021 election.  Conference calls will be held on a monthly basis and may become more frequent leading up the preparation of the slate of candidates.  Other work will be communicated electronically via email or through the online community.

Proposed Date:  ASAP
Effective Date: January 1, 2021
Duration:  Through the conclusion of the 2020 Election; officially thru 12/31/21
Community Group:  2021 Nominating Committee

Operational Alignment:  Working alongside the Board to see that the strategic plan is a central focus of the Board throughout the year.

Mission:  To ensure that the goals and objectives of the strategic plan are not only met by the Board, but that the plan remains relevant, up to date and top of mind.

Purpose (Role):

1. To ensure that goals of the strategic plan are being prioritized during the monthly Board meetings.
2. To provide recommendations to the Board on areas of the strategic plan to update, improve upon, replace, etc.
3. Other tasks as assigned by the Board.

Deliverables:  Reporting to the Board their recommendations for focusing on the strategic plan.

Prerequisite Experience:  Strategic vision and intimate knowledge of the APDT strategic plan.

Resources:  The strike force will work with the following staff: APDT Executive Director. Communications will be via email with via conference calls as needed.

Authority/Limitations:  Members of the strike force are not official representatives of the APDT and cannot represent the APDT on a local, national or international level without the prior written permission from the Board.

Members:  Fanna Easter, Heidi Meinzer, Sandy Modell

Chair:  None

Method of Strike Force Member Selection:  The Board of Directors shall appoint the members of the strike force. Members of the strike force are required to sign the APDT confidentiality and conflict of interest forms.

Accountability:  The strike force members are responsible to the Executive Director and the board of directors.

Frequency of Meetings:  Conference calls will be held as needed.  Other work will be communicated electronically via email.

Proposed Date:  ASAP
Effective Date: January 1, 2021
Duration:  12 Months
Community Group:  2021 Strategic Plan Strike Force