Committee chairmen provide critical leadership for the Association. They help to recruit and motivate committee members, set the committee agenda, and communicate the committee's work and priorities to AAPA officers and directors.
Chair Responsibilities
Committee chairmen are expected to preside over committee meetings during the year as called. They put resolutions to committee vote prior to the Annual Convention. Com¬mittee chairmen are also often called upon to discuss their area of expertise at AAPA's annual Executive Management Conference, held each year at a different location.
Workshop/Seminar Planning
The committee chairmen, with the assistance of their committee members and the AAPA staff liaison, take primary responsibility for developing the workshop and seminar programs - crafting an agenda, assigning moderators and working with moderators and committee members to obtain speakers. Committee chairmen are among those who give welcoming remarks on the first day of the seminar. He or she may also participate as a speaker and/or moderator. Generally, moderators are corporate members.
Annual Leadership Summit
Committee chairmen are also expected to attend the annual AAPA Leadership Summit, which is designed as the forum in which the new Chairman of the Board shares his/her vision with technical committee leaders. The Summit also provides opportunities to enhance coordination between the technical committee chairs, the policy-setting Executive Committee and the new Chairman of the Board. The summit provides an opportunity to discuss goals for the upcoming activity year and review policies and procedures.
Length of Term
Technical committee chairmen, who serve at the Chairman of the Board's pleasure, should turn over on a regular basis and generally have terms of two to three years (ideally beginning a term at the end of an Annual Convention). Chairmen of policy committees, such as the Projects and Publications Committee, often serve longer terms to provide the Association long-term, consistent leadership in policy areas.
Vice Chairman/Secretary or Second Vice Chair
Each committee is strongly encouraged to select a vice chairman and, ideally, a secretary or second vice chair, usually by appointment or vote of the members. The committee selection process should consider diversity in leadership, geography, type and size of port, etc. Election or appointment of leadership successors (1) designates leaders in the event that the chairman is unable to attend a meeting, and (2) allows the committee to groom candidates to seek appointment to the chairmanship. Committee vice chairmen and secretaries/second vice chairs are expected to participate along with the chairmen in the Annual AAPA Leadership Summit.
