Board of Advisors Committee

 Policy : The Board of Advisors Committee (short form: Board of Advisors or Advisory Board) of the Academy for Eating Disorders (AED) is an unincorporated, voluntary service committee of the AED.

 Procedure:

Article I – Mission and Objectives

1.1 Vision and Mission of the AED
Vision : The Academy for Eating Disorders (AED) vision is the elimination of eating disorders through worldwide collaboration with other organizations.

Mission : The Academy for Eating Disorders (AED) is an international multidisciplinary professional organization that promotes excellence in research, treatment, and prevention of eating disorders. The AED provides education, training, and a forum for collaboration and dialogue.

1.2 Objectives of the Board of Advisors
Philosophy : Global Community and Financial Support are necessary to ensure the continued growth and development of the AED. This support can best be garnered from well-informed, interested individuals who feel a commitment to the goals of the AED.

Purpose: The primary purpose of the AED Board of Advisors will be to use its members’ influence and resources to further the goals of the AED, advise on specific questions/needs within the AED, and act as a sounding board for potential objectives and priorities of the Board and the AED’s leadership. The AED’s Board of Advisors will provide an opportunity for key individuals to become more involved with the leadership and planning processes in the AED, which should greatly increase their interest in 1) providing major financial support 2) promoting the AED globally 3) working on advocacy and legislation about eating disorders and 4) providing assistance and advice in soliciting other gifts/contributions to the AED.

Goal: The major goal in the establishment of the AED Board of Advisors will be to organize a core group of volunteers interested in the AED who will support its programs in specific ways.

Members of the Board of Advisors, acting individually or as a group, have the following objectives:

1. Support the mission of the AED as described in the AED’s mission statement and long range strategic plans.
2. Advise on policies of the AED related to fundraising.
3. Advise on policies of the AED related to public relations/ education/ communications/advocacy.
4. Advise on ways for the AED to strengthen ties with the business community globally.
5. Increase awareness and interest of the AED through ambassadorship on behalf of the AED.
6. Advise on ways to address on-going changes in health care financing and for professional training that pose potential threats to our missions.
7. Work with regional and global organizations and governing bodies that are working to change legislation regarding recognition and reimbursement for eating disorders treatment.
8. Work with regional and global organizations and governing bodies that are working to increase funding for eating disorder research.
9. Assist in locating sources of financial support for the AED and set an example for others in the global community to follow.

Article II – Membership

2.1 Qualifications
The Board is composed of persons selected for their demonstrated leadership and personal interest in eating disorders and related areas. The overriding criterion for membership is the desire to support the highest quality treatment, research, and education in the causes, consequences, treatment, and prevention of eating disorders.

2.2 Appointment
The Board of Advisors will not exceed 25 members. The appointment process is:

1. Candidates for the Board of Advisors can be nominated by members of the Board of Advisors or members of the Board of Directors of the AED.
2. Nominations for membership are submitted to the President Elect.
3. All nominations should include appropriate biographical information.
4. To ensure membership diversity, the following will be considered:
   1. Geographic location
   2. Skill set
   3. Cultural background
5. The President-Elect of the AED Board of Directors will propose the candidate(s) to the Board of Directors for approval. Board confirmation will occur in a timely fashion. Confirmation will be a vote of acceptance at a regularly scheduled board meeting or through the mail or email. Following approval by the board the President will appoint the candidate(s) to the Board of Advisors.
6. Membership is extended verbally and then in writing from the President of AED Board of Directors.

Board of Advisor members may nominate Honorary Members to the Advisory Board subject to the approval of the AED Board of Directors. Honorary Members will be invited to all functions of the Board of Advisors. These members shall have NO vote. Honorary Members will be encouraged to serve on a committee of their interest. Retiring Chairpersons of the Board of Advisors shall automatically be named Honorary Members.

2.3 Term
Members of the Board of Advisors shall be appointed for a 3-year term. The term of members shall be staggered so that approximately one-third of the terms shall be subject to reappointment or retirement each fiscal year. Prior to the end of the year, the Chairperson of the Board of Advisors and in consultation with the President-Elect of the AED Board of Directors, may offer to reappoint a member(s) for a 3-year term.

2.4 Resignation and Vacancies
A member may resign at any time by letter to the Advisory Board Chairperson.

Vacancies in membership may be declared by the President-Elect, in consultation with the Board Chairperson, for failure to attend three consecutive meetings (in person or telecoms), unless a valid reason is given. Any vacancy that occurs shall be filled for the balance of the unexpired term in the manner specified in Section 2.2.

2.5 Liability
Members of the AED’s nonprofit, volunteer advisory board have the responsibility to represent the mission, strategic aims and interests of the AED in a diligent, attentive, and informed manner. No board member shall use his or her position, or the knowledge gained therefrom, in such a manner that causes a conflict between the interest of the AED and his or her personal interests. In this volunteer capacity, board members cannot be held liable for the financial obligations of the AED.

Article III – Officers and Subcommittees

3.1 Officers
The officers of the Board of Advisors shall consist of a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and Executive Secretary.

The Chairperson and Vice Chairperson shall be elected for a 2-year term by a majority vote of the Board of Advisors. An officer may be re-elected for a term of 1 or 2 years to succeed himself or herself so long as he or she continues to be member of the Board of Advisors. Any vacancy in an office shall be filled for the balance of an unexpired term through appointment by the President Elect.

The Executive Secretary responsibilities are filled by the President-Elect of the AED Board of Directors. Operational assistance shall be provided by the Executive Director of the AED.

Sucommittees
A subcommittee will consist of a chairperson and up to 5 board members. The subcommittee members are appointed by the Board Chairperson, in consultation with the Executive Secretary and the subcommittee Chairperson. The subcommittee will meet via teleconferencing, a location agreed upon by the committee, and/or before or after a regularly scheduled board meeting. If possible and/or when necessary, the Board Chairperson and the President-Elect of the AED Board of Directors may participate in subcommittee meetings.

Both advisory board subcommittees and AED committees focus on similar topics. Consequently a liaison between the respective committees should be established. It is the task of the president elect of the AED board to establish such liaisons.

The subcommittees are responsible for the following goals:

Advocacy/Awareness/Public Relations
To advocate for eating disorders on the local, state, federal and global levels.

• To maintain communication with the legislative bodies and the various committees responsible for health issues, i.e. insurance, service provision, quality of care.
• To inform membership of all governmental activity or policies which have an impact on research funding for eating disorders.
• To work with local, state, federal and global legislative bodies developing policies for funding of eating disorders prevention, research and treatment.

Outreach/Education

To support the AED in placement of news articles in newspapers and on television and radio.

• To arrange, within their local community, speakers from the AED and Board members for civic groups, church groups, professional organizations, etc.
• To organize/arrange awareness events for eating disorders.
• To coordinate educational receptions for the community and others whom we want to interest in the AED.
• To coordinate a group of volunteers who will work with us to further our goals.

Fundraising

• To work with the Treasurer of the Board of Directors and the Finance Committee to identify individuals, civic groups, foundations, funds, and companies to ask for financial support.
• To encourage board members to talk with and write to friends, family members, and acquaintances about the AED.
• To identify and support through private and corporate gifts for general purposes or specific projects such as award program, ambassador programs or educational programs.
• Plan and organize fundraising events.
• Identify naming opportunities and organizations.

Article IV – Meetings

4.1 Frequency
The Board will meet at least once a year and as needed via teleconference.

4.2 Notices
Meetings will be announced in advance of the actual dates. Board members are asked to RSVP.

4.3 Quorum
Thirty percent (30%) of the Board shall constitute a quorum at any regular or special meeting and will be governed by Roberts Rules of Order. The vote of a majority of board members shall constitute the decision and actions of the entire Board membership. Honorary board members have no voting rights.

Article V – Amendments  

5.1 Process
This Policy may be amended, enlarged or repealed by a majority of the Board of Directors. Motions to amend this Policy will be reviewed and studied by the Board of Advisors and by the members of the executive committee of the Board of Directors.

5.2 Initiative
Amendments may be made on the initiative of the Advisory Board Officers, Subcommittee Chairs, or in response to suggestions to or by members of the Board of Advisors or Board of Directors.

Updated: October 18, 2006