Duties and Expectations of ALA's Directors

Members who are considering seeking a position on ALA’s Board of Directors are encouraged to build a foundational understanding of the responsibilities and expectations for service. Individuals interested in being considered for a role on ALA’s Board of Directors  

are strongly encouraged to discuss the opportunity with their employer to ensure they will have the necessary support to accommodate their Board service. Awareness of the extent of this commitment and assurance of their support are important components of the experience. 

 The following outlines the general areas in which Board members are expected to participate throughout their term of service. Depending on the circumstances, additional duties may be necessary. Most events and meetings will require  participation during regular business hours based on the U.S. Central time zone.  

 Monthly Virtual Meetings of the Board 

Directors participate in 90-minute monthly virtual meetings to discuss ongoing projects, review progress, and remain informed about ongoing Association activities. These are generally held on the first Tuesday of every month. 

Quarterly In-Person Meetings of the Board 

Directors attend quarterly two-day in-person meetings to foster collaboration, engage in detailed planning, and make strategic decisions. These meetings typically require travel the day before and the day following the in-person meeting. 

 Board Liaison Responsibilities 

Each Director will serve as a liaison to at least one volunteer group, ensuring effective communication and support between the Board and volunteers. Board liaisons attend all meetings of their assigned volunteer group as an informed resource but do not participate in the work of the group.  See this Board Liaison position description for additional information. 

 Task Force Participation 

A task force is a group comprised of ALA Board members assigned to work on a specific task on a temporary basis. Directors are often called upon to serve on task forces to address specific issues or initiatives that require significant research. A task force will need to meet regularly to study an issue, culminating in a report of its findings and recommendations to present to the full Board for consideration. Directors can expect to participate in 1-2 task forces each year. While the work of any task force is temporary, it can span many months. Serving as a Task Force Chair often requires a longer commitment.  

Additional Duties as Assigned 

ALA bylaws, Section VI.4, call for the annual appointment of a Secretary/Treasurer. Only members that have served a minimum of twelve (12) consecutive months on the Board of Directors within the five (5) years immediately preceding their nomination are eligible to serve in this capacity. Appointments typically occur as part of the Board meetings held in conjunction with the Annual Conference & Expo. 

The Compliance Officer is a Board member selected by the Executive Committee and ratified by the Board during the Annual Conference week meeting. The Compliance Officer chairs the Inquiry Committee, oversees the annual Governance document review process and manages the Board’s action item list.  

Event Attendance 

Directors attend the following Association events and are expected to present Association-related content at each: 

ALA funds all travel, lodging and meal expenses for these events in accordance with its Volunteer Travel Policy. There may be modest expenses relating to service on ALA’s Board that will be the responsibility of the individual Director (e.g., preferred travel arrangements, food and beverage outside of official functions). 

Speaking Opportunities 

Directors may also be invited to speak at ALA chapter events or other legal industry events either virtually or in person. Expenses for travel to in-person chapter events are often covered by the individual chapters or ALA Headquarters as budget allows.  

Strategic Planning 

Every three years, the Board works to establish the Strategic Direction for the Association. In addition to its regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may meet multiple times (either virtually or in-person) over the course of several months to complete this process. 

Preparation and Training 

Board members are expected to devote the necessary time to familiarize themselves with ALA’s governance documents, meeting materials, financial documents and other reports so they can effectively serve ALA.  

Executive Director Performance Review 

Board members are required to participate in the annual review process for the Executive Director. This process typically takes place from August to November and involves providing verbal and written feedback virtually and participating in 1-2 virtual meetings. 

Other Work/Projects 

Board members may also be involved in individual project work between meetings, which may involve reviewing documents, responding to surveys, or participating in calls and meetings with other members and staff. 

While terms officially begin when the Board transitions at the Annual Meeting/Annual Conference, newly appointed Directors will begin to participate in orientation sessions, virtual and in-person Board meetings, and required training that will commence soon after their appointment. They will also attend any other in-person event that occurs during the transition time, including ALI..  Additional training is provided to all Directors throughout their service on the Board.   

While the time commitment for Board service may fluctuate from one year to the next, this document is intended to provide an overview of what to expect. Anyone who is considering applying for a Director position is strongly encouraged to connect with current members of the Board to gain an understanding of their experience and what is expected. 

Questions regarding any of the above information can be directed to [email protected].  

Updated July 2025