2012 IIUG Board of Directors Election

IIUG Board of Directors Nominee Questionnaire

The following questions must be answered by every nominee and sent via email to by 5pm EST Monday 20th February 2012. Current IIUG Board members standing for reelection are exempt.

Be advised the IIUG Board follows a simple rule of "What happens on the board stays on the board", so all meetings and contents of board e-mails are considered BOARD CONFIDENTIAL unless otherwise specified.

Please be sure to read and understand the Board member requirements and obligations outlined under "The Candidates" and "IIUG Board Member Duties" on the Annual IIUG Board of Directors Election Information page.

The information collected will be kept in confidence, except for the Election Address (last question), which will be posted in the ballot.

1. Have you had any previous experience with a volunteer driven organization? Please list which organizations and describe your capacity?
    
2. Most of the work of IIUG Board directors is conducted by email and through telephone conference calls. On average you can expect to read between 40 and 50 emails per week, but at busy times this may increase to 100. Conference calls normally last for about 1 hour and you would normally be expected to one or two of these per month. These calls are mandatory attendance and are almost always scheduled at least three weeks in advance. Since the board is international, the timing of the conference calls often requires people to do these during working hours, before work, and even late at night. Would you object to any of this? Would this be ok by your employer if during work hours?
    
3. Although the Board is a volunteer organization, you will be expected to set deadlines and keep to them, while having a tolerance of failure on the part of other Board members who set unrealistic targets. Do you normally manage your own expectations of yourself whilst being tolerant of others?
    
4. The Board of Directors meets 3 to 4 times every year, including at least one conference for an extended week and at least one non-US trip. The IIUG program pays all travel expenses and conference fees. Travel is always Economy class and requires you to commit to flight details at least one month in advance in order to get the best possible fares. All Board meetings involve a Saturday night stay, again to reduce costs. So you will be expected to spend a minimum of three weekends away from home. It is also likely that you will not return home late in the week. These meetings are mandatory and are required to continue on the IIUG Board. Failure to attend a board meeting could result in your removal from the IIUG Board. This means taking 3 weeks off work. Are you prepared for this level of commitment? Would your management be supportive?
    
5. From time to time you may also be requested to attend other meetings on behalf of IIUG, to address audiences of up to 200 people, and to do presentations on behalf of IIUG. Are you prepared to do this?
    
6. Please outline your current employment. Please tell us what IBM Data Management products you work with, particularly emphasizing the Informix product set, and 3rd party products related to Informix.
    
7. As a Board member you represent the IIUG and may need to express opinions based on Board policy with which you may personally agree. Are you prepared to follow Board policy even when it does not agree with your own?
    
8. The board meetings are in English, so you need to be fluent in this language. Do you speak any other languages, or have any other skills or contacts which might be of use representing IIUG members worldwide?
    
9. Besides work and family do you have any other commitments that might hamper your Board involvement?
    
10. Have you had any previous experience with the IIUG and/or a local Informix User Group?
     
11. Please provide a concise "Election Address" that will be posted next to your name on the election page.