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Call for nominations for the 2017-2018 Board of Directors

Published on: Monday, July 25, 2016

The OPTN/UNOS Nominating Committee is seeking nominations for the 2017-2018 Board of Directors.  Members of the Board of Directors are elected by a majority vote of the entire membership and serve as volunteers without compensation. Learn More.

The Nominating Committee will be taking nominations for the following open positions this year:

  • Vice-President (President-Elect)
  • Treasurer
  • Minority Transplant Professional
    The Minority Transplant Professional is an individual on the Board of Directors who serves on the OPTN/UNOS Executive and Nominating Committees to provide representation for underrepresented minorities.
  • 3 Patient and Donor Affairs Representatives—Individuals must be one of the following
    • transplant candidate
    • transplant recipient
    • living donor
    • organ donor or recipient family member

This year, the Nominating Committee is especially seeking nominees who have the following skill sets:

  • experience in corporate or non-profit governance
  • knowledge of corporate or non-profit finances and financial planning
  • experience in strategic planning

Individuals seeking nominations must submit a candidate biography form.

About the Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee reviews and recommend candidates for election to the Board of Directors as Officers and Directors.  The Nominating Committee is appointed by the president and has 12 voting members. The Nominating Committee includes:

  1. The president
  2. The Immediate Past president
  3. The past president directly preceding the Immediate Past president
  4. The vice president
  5. The vice president of patient and donor affairs
  6. One histocompatibility laboratory representative
  7. One OPO representative
  8. One transplant coordinator representative
  9. One patient representative
  10. One public representative (including organ donors and recipients, family members, or voluntary health organization representatives)

Two additional Nominating Committee members are selected from any of the following:

  • Regional councillors
  • Thoracic Transplant Representative
  • Minority Transplant Representative
  • Medical/scientific Organization members

OPTN/UNOS Committee Service

There are 20 standing or ad hoc OPTN/UNOS policy committees that act in an advisory capacity to the Board of Directors.  The members of these committees are appointed by the incoming OPTN/UNOS President.  If you are interested in being considered to serve on a committee, please fill out the biography form.

OPTN/UNOS President

Position
The OPTN/UNOS President is elected nationally and serves a one year term. In collaboration with the Executive Director/CEO, other Board officers and Board members, the President provides leadership for the OPTN and UNOS. The President also serves as the Chair of the Executive, Corporate Affairs, and Nominating Committees.

Responsibilities and Obligations
As the OPTN/UNOS President, an individual must be capable of and commit to fulfilling all of the following responsibilities for the duration of the term in office:

  • Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO/Executive Director and the Board’s governance committees in the development and implementation of the OPTN and UNOS strategic plans.
  • Preside over Board and committee meetings.
  • In consultation with the Corporate Affairs and Executive Committees, perform an annual performance evaluation of the CEO.
  • Along with the Nominating Committee, help to identify and recruit other Board members, ensuring the OPTN/UNOS commitment to a diverse board that reflects the community it serves.
  • Appoint at-large members of Board committees and any vacancies that arise on standing and ad hoc committees.
  • Stay informed of and meet all legal and fiduciary responsibilities.
  • Travel and present on behalf of UNOS during a portion of the OPTN regional meetings during each public comment cycle.
  • Review and approve agenda and supporting materials prior to Board and committee meetings.
  • Be available for weekly calls with the CEO/Executive Director.
  • Act as an ambassador for the organization.
  • Fulfill all responsibilities and obligations as a voting Board member.

Board terms
The President serves on the OPTN/UNOS Board of Directors for two years—one as President and one as the immediate past president. 


Qualifications
Individuals serving in this position must meet all of the following qualifications:

  • Extensive participation in the OPTN and UNOS, including:
    • current or prior service on the Board of Directors; and
    • current or prior service on either the Membership and Professional Standards Committee (MPSC) or the Policy Oversight Committee (POC).
  • A commitment to and understanding of the field of organ procurement and transplantation.
  • A demonstrated ability for cultivating relationships and engaging, convening, facilitating, and building consensus among diverse stakeholders and constituencies.
  • Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a passion for saving lives through organ transplantation.

OPTN/UNOS Vice President (President-Elect)

Position
The OPTN/UNOS Vice-President is elected nationally and serves as the President-Elect of the OPTN and UNOS.  As such, the Vice-President/President-Elect should be able to successfully carry out the duties of the OPTN/UNOS President. The Vice-President also serves on the Corporate Affairs, Executive, and Nominating Committees.

Responsibilities and Obligations
As the Vice-President/President Elect, an individual must be capable of and commit to fulfilling all of the following responsibilities for the duration of the term in office:

  • Serve as a trusted advisor to the OPTN/UNOS President, CEO/Executive Director, and the Board’s governance committees in the development and implementation of the OPTN and UNOS strategic plans.
  • Preside over Board and committee meetings when the President is absent.
  • Appoint incoming standing and ad hoc committee members.
  • Stay informed of and meet all legal and fiduciary responsibilities.
  • Travel and present on behalf of UNOS during a portion of the OPTN regional meetings during each public comment cycle.
  • Review and provide input regarding the agenda and supporting materials prior to Board and committee meetings.
  • Be available for weekly calls with the CEO/Executive Director.
  • Act as an ambassador for the organization.
  • Fulfill all responsibilities and obligations as a voting Board member.

Board terms
The Vice-President must commit to three years of service to the OPTN/UNOS Board of Directors:

  • One year as the OPTN/UNOS Vice-President/President-Elect.
  • One year as the OPTN/UNOS President.
  • One year as the immediate past president to the OPTN/UNOS.

Qualifications
Individuals serving in this position must meet all of the following qualifications:

  • Extensive participation in the OPTN and UNOS, including:
    • current or prior service on the Board of Directors; and
    • current or prior service on the Membership and Professional Standards Committee (MPSC) or the Policy Oversight Committee (POC).
  • A commitment to and understanding of the field of organ procurement and transplantation.
  • A demonstrated ability for cultivating relationships and engaging, convening, facilitating, and building consensus among diverse stakeholders and constituencies.
  • Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a passion for saving lives through organ transplantation.

OPTN/UNOS Treasurer

Position
The OPTN/UNOS Treasurer is elected nationally and reports to the Board of Directors regarding financial matters of the OPTN and UNOS. The OPTN/UNOS Treasurer also serves as chair of the OPTN/UNOS Finance Committee and as a member of the Corporate Affairs and Executive Committees.

Responsibilities and Obligations
As the OPTN/UNOS Treasurer, an individual must be capable of and commit to fulfilling all of the following responsibilities for the duration of the term in office:

  • Serve as a trusted advisor to the OPTN/UNOS President, CEO/Executive Director, and the Board’s governance committees in the development and implementation of the OPTN and UNOS strategic plans.
  • Preside over OPTN/UNOS Finance Committee meetings.
  • Ensure that an annual audit and report of OPTN finances are completed, and provide copies of both to the Directors and Executive Director.
  • Serve as assistant secretary and sign in place of the secretary when necessary.
  • Stay informed of and meet all legal and fiduciary responsibilities.
  • Attend and participate in a regional meeting during each public comment cycle.
  • Review agenda and supporting materials prior to Board and committee meetings.
  • Act as an ambassador for the organization.
  • Fulfill all obligations and responsibilities as a voting Board Member

Board terms
The OPTN/UNOS Treasurer must commit to two years of service to the OPTN/UNOS Board of Directors, as chairman of the OPTN/UNOS Finance Committee, and as a member of the Corporate Affairs and Executive Committees.

Qualifications
Individuals serving in this position must meet all of the following qualifications:

  • Extensive participation in the OPTN and UNOS. (Current or prior service on the Board of Directors is strongly preferred.)
  • Experience in financial services, management and/or governance.
  • A commitment to and understanding of the field of organ procurement and transplantation.
  • Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a passion for saving lives through organ transplantation.

OPTN/UNOS Board of Directors Members

Position
Voting Directors of the Board are elected nationally and serve on the OPTN and UNOS Boards as fiduciaries for each entity.*

Board of Director Terms
Directors serve for a term of two years, with exceptions as noted below.
These Directors serve three-year terms:

  • Transplant candidates.
  • Transplant recipients.
  • Organ donors.
  • Family members of transplant candidates, recipients or organ donors.
  • Representatives of voluntary health organizations.
  • Representatives of the general public.
    The Board of Directors may vote to extend the term of any of these Directors for one year. A Director’s term may not be extended more than two times.

Responsibilities and Obligations
As a Board of Directors member, an individual must be capable of and commit to fulfilling all of the following responsibilities for the duration of the term in office:

  • Attend and participate in all in-person Board meetings.  Board meetings are currently held in June and December of each year. UNOS covers reasonable costs and travel expenses related to in-person Board meetings.
  • Prepare for Board meetings by reviewing agenda and supporting materials, ask informed questions, and make positive contribution to discussion during meetings.  Treat others with trust and respect.
  • Maintain confidentiality of all matters discussed in OPTN or UNOS Closed Sessions as well as all materials related to Closed Sessions.
  • Attend and actively participate in Board orientation and education sessions.
  • Understand and follow all conflict of interest policies of the OPTN and UNOS.
  • Attend and participate in a regional meeting each public comment cycle. UNOS will cover reasonable expenses for Board members who do not receive institutional support to attend/participate in the regional meeting.
  • Participate in the development, prioritization, and implementation of projects intended to further goals in the OPTN/UNOS strategic plan.
  • Actively participate in Board policy groups, Board Committees, Board self-assessment and other activities as requested.
  • Stay informed of and meet all legal and fiduciary responsibilities.
  • Act as an ambassador for the OPTN and UNOS.

Qualifications
Individuals serving in this position must meet all of the following qualifications:

  • Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a passion for saving lives through organ procurement and transplantation.
  • A commitment to working with a diverse group of individuals and finding consensus.

Prior service on an OPTN/UNOS standing or ad hoc committee is strongly preferred, however, it is not a requirement.

* The Project Officer for the OPTN Contract and the Director of the Division of Transplantation (DoT) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HSS), or a designee of the Director, serve as ex-officio members of the Board without vote.  The terms of this job description do not apply to ex-officio Board Members.