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Home > About PPDM > Board of Directors: Job Description

Responsibilities and Expectations of a PPDM Association Board Member

This following outline of the responsibilities and expectations of PPDM Association Board membership has been prepared for the information of potential candidates. Please review and consider these items if you are contemplating standing for election.

Eligibility

You are eligible to stand for election to the Board if you are employed by a company that is a voting member of the PPDM Association in good standing.

Board Objectives

The Board is responsible for the overall management of the PPDM Association. It is expected to provide leadership and governance for the PPDM Association and act in the best interests of all the members of the PPDM Association by promoting the PPDM Association’s goals.

Becoming Familiar with the PPDM Association

The PPDM Association is a not-for-profit organization with an international membership base of approximately 100 members. Members include a broad range of energy companies, government agencies, software application and data vendors, and service companies.

To quickly become more familiar with the PPDM Association, please click on the About tab on the PPDM Association home page and read the pages: Mission Statement, the PPDM Way and Membership.

Responsibilities

Each Director is elected as an individual, not as a representative of their company and has a fiduciary responsibility to the members of the PPDM Association, which transcends the individual's relationship to their employer.

Directors are expected to work in a co-operative fashion and decisions are achieved by consensus as much as practicable.

Directors should

  • Take every opportunity to meet with members of the PPDM Association to understand their business requirements and promote the benefits derived from membership.
  • Promote the benefits of the PPDM Association to the upstream petroleum industry and seek financial resources and voluntary participation in support of the PPDM Association.
  • Define, communicate, monitor and refine the PPDM Association's values and strategies.
  • Delegate to the Chief Executive Officer the responsibility and resources to achieve the stated ends, within the limitations of the Board’s definition of acceptable practice.
  • Operate within the limits defined by relevant statutes and the PPDM Association's Bylaws.
  • Plan for succession at each Annual General Meeting.
  • Demonstrate leadership by embracing the spirit of voluntarism.

Time Commitment

The job of a Director requires the following time commitment:

  • Regular attendance at Board meetings (typically 10 to 12 per year that last about 2 hours each);
  • Sufficient advance preparation and active participation at Board meetings;
  • Active participation in ensuring performance in the interests of the members;
  • Willingness to spend at least 5 hours per month on Board affairs in addition to attending Board meetings.

Election

The Board consists of Directors elected at each Annual General Meeting of the PPDM Association, which is normally held in the fall of each year. Directors who wish to remain on the Board are required to stand for re-election at each AGM.

Term

Each Director is expected to fulfill their obligations for a full year until the next AGM. Standing for re-election is permitted and encouraged. To provide continuity, nominees are encouraged, although not required, to plan on serving a minimum of three years.

Size of the Board

The Bylaws of the PPDM Association restrict the size of the Board to between 7 and 12 members, as set by the Annual General Meeting. Within those limits, the Board may fill any vacancy that arises during the year.

The Board governs the PPDM Association by emphasizing strategic direction and values. The Board recognizes that the resources and values of the PPDM Association preclude a large administrative staff. Therefore some work must be carried by volunteers, including Directors.

Board Officers

The Board must elect from its members the following officers: Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. From time to time, sub-committees under the leadership of a Board member (or members) are struck. Board members are expected to participate as they can contribute and as opportunities for leadership arise. Nominees should consider their availability and qualifications to serve in these capacities.

Expenses

All expenses by Directors are for their own account (or that of their employer), except in special circumstances.

Board Meeting Location

Most Board meetings are held in Calgary but the Board is trying to encourage meetings at other locations as often as practicable. Participation by tele- or video-conference is acceptable, but in-person attendance is strongly encouraged for at least 3 meetings per year. Considerable discussion among Directors is encouraged between meetings either by e-mail or through the Board forum on the PPDM Association website.