DIRECTORS
A
NEW GENERATION
Dir. of Alumni Engagement
Jeff T. Boaz
Illinois Wesleyan ’89
AFF STAFF
Committee Seeks Improved Ways for Choosing Acacia’s Leaders
Over the past 15 months, the Acacia Board Development Committee appointed by the Acacia International Council has explored three questions:
• How are the policies of our fraternity determined?
• Who are the leaders making those decisions?
• Is the current method for choosing those leaders satisfactory? Or can it be improved?
The major areas of board development the committee identified to focus its work were: board member recruitment, board composition, nominations, elections, officer transition, and board member training. After first gathering opinions about current processes and soliciting ideas for improvements from a larger group of Acacia stakeholders, common themes emerged among the respondents:
• Greater involvement of alumni and active members in selecting their fraternity’s leaders
• A diverse board representation by age, chapter, geography and chapter size
• Greater member awareness of the role and responsibility of the fraternity’s leaders, both for the sake of overall membership and potential board members to understand commitments and expectations
• Greater member awareness of the processes by which board members are nominated and elected, and overall greater visibility and transparency around International Council nominations and elections
• More time for thorough evaluation of candidates than is afforded within the footprint of a three-day Conclave
• Leadership and good-governance training, as well as effective transition between retiring and newly elected leaders
When the Board Development Committee delivered its preliminary report to the International Council earlier this year, it offered one short-term recommendation — to appoint the Nominations and Elections Committee for this coming Conclave immediately, rather than wait until the start of Conclave as has more recently been the practice. This proposed action would be an initial effort to improve awareness and transparency around nominations and elections.
The committee’s interim recommendations, with the consensus of the International Council, for this year’s nominations and elections, include:
• An announcement of the opening of nominations sent to all active and alumni members in early June. The announcement describes the open leadership positions and invites candidate nominations, and notes any incumbent board members with a declared intention to run for re-election.
• An early July deadline for the submission of nominations with an opportunity for additional nominations “from the floor” on the first day of the Conclave in Phoenix.
• Distribution of an election manual to all Conclave delegates in mid-July. The manual is to include for each candidate a brief biography and a self-prepared statement of qualifications and vision for the sought-after position and for the fraternity.
• A “Meet the Candidates” session on the second day of the Conclave, so that delegates and others attending the Conclave can hear and ask questions of the candidates.
• An electronic ballot for voting for candidates on the third and final day of the Conclave.
For additional information or questions, please reach out to: communications@acacia.org
The Board Development Committee and the International Council emphasize that these are interim procedures to enhance the proficiency and transparency of this year’s nominations and elections. The committee will present to Conclave delegates more comprehensive recommendations for future years. Updates on nominations and elections will be arriving in your email inboxes as this year’s Conclave approaches.
Brother Sutton (left) with AFF Executive Director Darold Larson, Washington State ’81, and Dale Weber, Iowa State ’49, celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Oregon State Acacia
CHAPTER ANNIVERSARIES
In the storied halls of Acacia Fraternity, the legacy of leadership, service, and brotherhood spans over a century, with a rich history of influential members who have left indelible marks on their communities, industries, and the fraternity itself. From esteemed politicians and successful entrepreneurs to groundbreaking scientists and inspiring educators, Acacia has consistently fostered talent that excels beyond the confines of collegiate life.
Today, a new generation of Acacians is rising, poised to carry the torch of excellence into the future. These brothers, hailing from the 1980s to the 2020s, embody the fraternity’s core values of human service, leadership, and academic excellence. They are not just participating in the world; they are shaping it, driven by the same principles that have guided Acacians for over a century.
Their stories are not just tales of personal achievement but testimonies to the enduring strength of the Acacia fraternity’s commitment to producing leaders equipped to face the challenges of their times. As we explore the journeys of these remarkable individuals, we celebrate the spirit of Acacia that continues to inspire and elevate its members to new heights. Join us as we delve into the lives of these exceptional brothers, each a beacon of hope and a testament to the potential that lies within the bonds of Acacia Fraternity. Through their achievements and aspirations, they are forging paths that future generations of Acacians will follow, proving once again that the fraternity’s influence extends far beyond the collegiate experience.
