How to Get Involved: NASBP Committee Work Makes a Difference for Careers and for Surety!

Like you, I often remark to myself how busy I am, having little time to spare. How can I even think of doing more! Nonetheless, when I have made the decision to volunteer, I have found that that expenditure of time pales in relation to the real and intrinsic rewards I have gained through volunteer activity.

Rolling up your sleeves to volunteer for NASBP committees and initiatives can lead to tangible benefits, such as life-long business connections, meaningful friendships with peers all across the industry, and knowledge and skill-sets that may not otherwise be available. If that is not enough in the reward equation to sway you, then understand that NASBP simply cannot function without active committees—that is, NASBP cannot achieve its mission and its many objectives to advance the interests of suretyship without the collective work of NASBP volunteers!

NASBP offers a number of areas or activities in which NASBP members can become engaged, and NASBP committees are chief avenues for doing so. Many committees are structured around specific professional interests, such as education, advocacy, industry relations, international surety, and the like. Other committees center their focuses on the operations or welfare of the association, such as membership or finance. Still others work to nurture, support, and provide leadership opportunities for fellow professionals, such as early-career producers.

Most, though not all, committees are open to individuals of all NASBP membership classes; certain committees, however, such as the Nominating Committee, which identifies and nominates candidates for NASBP officers and the Board of Directors, only are open to volunteers from regular, voting members, that is, producer agencies, not volunteers from affiliates or associates. Other committees are open to all interested volunteers and especially are seeking individuals who have specific skills or demonstrated interest in the particular focus of the committee.

Expressions of interests to serve on a NASBP committee may be made to the NASBP staff liaison of that committee or to the Membership Services Department. A committee interest form also is available on the NASBP website at www.nasbp.org/join/joincommittee. All requests to join a NASBP committee are reviewed by the NASBP President. An appointment by the NASBP President is a condition precedent to that person serving on the committee of interest. Appointments are made for one presidential year and may be renewed at the discretion of the NASBP President, though it is anticipated that committee members will serve more than one year. A committee appointment email is sent to individuals following the approval process.

Committees are led by a committee chair, appointed by the NASBP president, and typically a vice chair, serving in support of the chair. Committees are free to structure their own operations, and some have articulated additional rules or procedures for joining, such as the 5-15 Leadership Committee; but most committees meet in person twice per year—usually at the Annual Meeting and at the Mid-year Meeting. Some committees may meet more frequently via conference call or other means in order to accomplish committee business.

Current committees of the Association are the following:

In order to become more familiar with the work of and differences among NASBP committees, Pipeline will spotlight a different committee each issue to acquaint the NASBP community with the specific history, function, and operation of that committee. The series will begin with a spotlight of the Industry Relations Committee, which can be read here. If you are not currently engaged in the work of a NASBP committee, I hope you will consider seeking appointment to a committee of interest to you. NASBP always needs your help and assistance, and I am sure you will benefit professionally and personally!