What is the SCCA® Board of Directors, what does the Board do, and why is the job so important for the Club? In its simplest form, SCCA’s National Board of Directors consists of 13 Club members elected from distinct geographic areas, with each serving up to a pair of three-year terms. And this is where you come in, because as a member of the Sports Car Club of America, you’re not only capable of running for the Board of Directors, you’re encouraged.

But before tossing your hat in the ring, you undoubtedly have questions.

What does the board do?

“The BoD is responsible for the governance of the SCCA,” explains Peter Jankovskis, Area 5 Director and Chairman of the Board. “We hire SCCA’s CEO and work with the CEO to set strategic direction for the Club. We monitor the performance of the CEO and program boards. We ensure compliance with laws and internal procedures. We also evaluate existing procedures and modify as needed to adapt to changes in the Club's operating environment.”

Also, thanks to their existing involvement in the Club, Board members are SCCA experts, and as such play a vital role in the Club’s direction. “We also act as a sounding board for the CEO and Club staff as new issues or opportunities are encountered,” Steve Strickland, Area 12 Director and the Board’s Vice-Chairman, points out.

What skills do I need?

Your training for the job of SCCA Director began the day you sent in your SCCA membership application, and as someone considering running for a seat on the SCCA Board of Directors, chances are this isn’t your first foray into lending a helping hand when needed in your Region.

“Leadership experience within the Club is helpful, whether as an RE, Steward, or on an advisory Committee or Program Board,” Jankovskis says, adding, “A willingness to listen and seek out all sides of an issue is critical.”

At the same time, your professional life outside the Club can also contribute to your time on the Board. “Your non-SCCA life experience or background can be equally valuable to the Board,” says Strickland. “Recent and current Board members experiences include accounting, information technology, the sciences, and, of course, business management and marketing experience at various levels.”

What’s important to remember is that the SCCA Board of Directors helps position the Club for success, ultimately being responsible for the sustainability of the entire SCCA. “Though we are voice of the members in our Areas, we are expected to vote in the best interests of the Club overall,” Strickland notes.

Likewise, Jankovskis adds that a common misconception is that the Board is hands-on in running the Club. “The Program Boards and SCCA Staff operate the Club,” he points out. “The BoD monitors their activities. It can be challenging for Directors that are active in their Area to take a step back and monitor the work of others.”

How much time will this take up?

Being on the BoD involves a time commitment, so Club members considering running for a position on the Board need to be able to meet with other members of the Board, both virtually and in person, as well as vote electronically on issues at hand. “Several current BoD members have described it as 15 to 20 hours per month, unless there is an in-person meeting,” Strickland says, noting that those in-person meetings occur twice per year. “Much depends on your assignments within the Board,” he adds.

What areas are up for election this year?

The elections are staggered in order to manage turnover on the Board, so you’ll need to plan ahead when running for a seat on the SCCA Board of Directors. For that, here’s what the next three years hold in store:

• 2023 election: Areas 3, 4, 9, and 11
• 2024 election: Areas 1, 5, 7, 8, and 13
• 2025 election: Areas 2, 6, 10 and 12

The 2026 election will cycle back to Areas 3, 4, 9, and 11, continuing the cycle.

What SCCA Area do you belong to? The image below will give you an idea of the geography and who your current Area Director is. You can confirm your Area by checking your Region of Record once you log in to SCCA’s Member Account Portal.

Sign me up!

The first step in running for a position on the SCCA Board of Directors is being a member of the SCCA in good standing. From there, you must be a resident of the Area you seek to serve by April 30 of the election year, and there needs to be an election in your Area, as elections are staggered to manage turnover. Next, you’ll need to gather 20 member signatures from your Area and submit them to the SCCA National Office prior to the Oct. 1 deadline.

The “National BoD Election Nomination Form” is located under the “General Information” tab of SCCA’s Member Account Portal, alongside the “SCCA Election Procedures for the Board of Directors” document that covers all of the requirements in greater detail.

You should also familiarize yourself with SCCA’s governance documents like the SCCA ByLaws, Operations Manual, and BoD Handbook, located in the same location.

Have more questions?

Contact the SCCA National Office or one of the existing Directors.

Photo by John Burchardt