By Carlen Ruth Hultgren
Are you, or someone you know, a good fit as a representative of East Atlanta’s small business community? EABA (East Atlanta Business Association) is looking for business owners, brick and mortar and home-based alike, to join its Board of Directors for 2023. Nominations are now open for the following positions: Treasurer, Secretary, Events Chair, and DEI (Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion) Chair.
EABA’s goal is to support the East Atlanta business community in a way that enables all to thrive. You can be a part of this process by taking on a Board role. All positions are volunteer and require a minimal time commitment.
To be eligible to run, your business must be a current member of EABA, and you must be the owner, or representative of the business member. The owner of the company does not have to be the board member as long as the representative is approved by the owner.
You must be a member in good standing and your business(es), or property must operate within the bounds of East Atlanta.
Associate members operate outside of the bounds of East Atlanta. There are only two seats available for non-business owners.
The positions have two-year terms. The Executive Officers and Committee Chairs make up the Board of Directors (BOD). The executive officers are the President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary, and they govern EABA. The Committee Chairs vote on key issues, manage each area of expertise and report to the Executive Officers. The time commitment is about 10 hours a month for meetings, plus any EABA sponsored events.
The requirement for monthly board meetings is five hours, and a board member may not miss more than three meetings per term. The BOD meets the first Tuesday of the month from 6:00pm to 7:30pm. General meetings take place the third Tuesday of the month from 6:00pm to 8:00pm, which includes socializing, snacks, and networking, with a meeting in between. Working sessions and follow-up are generally not more than five hours per month. This could include preparation of agendas, follow up items, and emails between the Board of Directors and the community.
Reach out to hello@eastatlantabiz.com with recommendations for new board members or questions about the process. Board elections will take place at EABA’s General Meeting, March 21 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.
The next General Meeting is Tuesday, February 21 at the East Atlanta Kids Club from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. Come meet other business owners and neighbors and see where you can make a difference.
(The author is a currently serving as Membership Chair for 2023 EABA BOD).
