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The AHA Governing Committee elections are coming up and we are looking for candidates for new Governing Committee members.  Four of the 15 seats are available this year, and three of our current Governing Committee members have reached the end of their term limits.

The AHA Governing Committee plays a significant role in shaping the present and future direction of the AHA.  Thanks to your help, along with the efforts of staff, the generosity of the pro brewing community and guidance from our Governing Committee, we have once again exceeded our membership and revenue targets in advance of the year-end deadlines.

The AHA continues to have challenges and opportunities, but the future is really what we make it.  We need to continue our efforts to push ourselves forward and expand the community of membership, manage the conference and competition, improve Zymurgy, and many more tasks, all of which will result in our being a strong, effective, independent organization.  This is your AHA.  We need you to take charge of it and get involved.

Governing Committee members are required to be available for monthly teleconferences (currently scheduled for the second Tuesday of each month) and attend our one face-to-face meeting at the National Homebrewers Conference each year (next year in Minneapolis, June 17-19, 2010).  Members are also connected via the Internet, both as the GC and as part of various committees on specific topics.  It's a three-year term.

Besides great ideas and boundless enthusiasm, candidates should have had some experience in organizations at the local or regional level.  Initiative, perseverance, and creativity are welcome.  The AHA Governing Committee acts both as a sounding board and a management consultant team for the AHA.  Additionally, committee work provides structure, content and feet on the ground support in the case of National Homebrewers Conferences.

You may nominate yourself or someone else (please check first to see if he/she is available and interested).  Candidates should submit a short written statement of no more than 500 words, which should explain your qualifications for the job (experience, abilities, constituency, etc) and what your vision is for the future of the AHA.  Please include your contact information and send it all to Susan Ruud  (susan.ruud@ndsu.edu) no later than December 1st, 2009.

Thanks, and we look forward to the elections.