Announcing 2024-2025 Regional Council Representatives

The USBG National Council of Chapters (NCC) is pleased to announce the new Regional Council Representatives (RCRs) for 2024- 2025! Thank you to the Chapter leaders that participated in this important part of USBG Governance and took the time to prioritize this decision.  
What is the National Council of Chapters (NCC)?

The NCC serves as the advisory body to the Board of Directors on matters that impact USBG Chapters.

USBG Chapters are assigned into five regions across the U.S. - Midwest, Northeast, South, Southwest, and West – and the Chapter leaders of each region collectively form a Regional Council of Chapters with the goal of facilitating chapter-to-chapter support, sharing best practices between chapters, and mediating conflicts that may occur between the volunteer leaders of different chapters within the region.

The NCC is composed of 15 members who are elected by the Regional Council of Chapters to serve as Regional Council Representatives. Each Regional Council Representative serves a one-year term.

What is the role of a Regional Council Representative (RCR)?

Representatives serve to organize the Chapters of a Region in building a community among its members with a culture and environment that will produce valued relationships.

Regional Council Representative primary responsibilities:

1. Be knowledgeable about USBG and the Council, including:
   • USBG Vision, Mission, Values and Objectives (Strategic Plan)
   • Council Mission
   • Council Strategic Goal
   • Regional Council Responsibilities
   • Council Membership (Leadership Roster)

2. Be accessible and provide counsel to chapters on as-needed basis

Meet your 2024-2025 Regional Council Representatives: *RCRs staying on for another term

Chairs

*Jennifer O’Blenis Chair New Orleans

*David Bunte Co-Chair Denver

Midwest Region
*Nancy Hall Midwest Regional Council Representative Cleveland	*Ariel Neal Midwest Regional Council Representative Chicago	Vacancy
Northeast Region
*Beth Dixon Northeast Regional Council Representative Richmond	*Liz Lang Northeast Regional Council Co-Chair Pittsburgh	Vacancy
South Region
Jennifer Marrero  South Regional Council Representative Miami	Chris Mallon South Regional Council Representative Nashville	Vacancy
Southwest Region
*Trish Renehan Vodrazka Southwest Regional Council Representative Phoenix	*Jessica Householder Southwest Regional Council Representative Houston	Mariko Jenkins Southwest Regional Council Representative Denver
West Region
*Augustina Elizabeth West Regional Council Representative Oregon	Michael Montez West Regional Council Representative Orange County	*Robert Martinez West Regional Council Representative Los Angeles

*Returning Council Representative
Special thanks to our outgoing 2023-2024 Regional Council Representatives, who have made valuable contributions during their terms to the Guild.

The Governance 3.0 model was implemented for the National Council of Chapters, with the first National Council of Chapters election under the new model taking place in 2019; Three Regional Council Representatives from each of the five USBG regions make up the National Council of Chapters. Elections for annually renewing terms that run from July to June and are held during USBG Regional Conferences.

The new term of office began on July 1, 2023, and we look forward to the continued progress our association will make under the leadership of the 2023 - 2024 National Council of Chapters.

ORIENTATION, ELECTION, & TRANSITION PROCESS

The election process: One representative per chartered Chapter serves as Elector and records the vote for the chapter. Electors may select no more than three candidates.

The orientation process, Meeting one-on-one: The new Chair meets with the outgoing Chair to look at the past and plan for the future, using this time to review the past year. This process includes a review any issues that will carry into the new year, what has been completed and other topics. This is also a great time for the incoming Chair to ask questions, take notes, and get a feel for the position.

The meeting is also a great opportunity to plan for the future

• Set specific leadership goals (both individual and committee/council)
• Consider developing a month-by-month planning calendar of what to do and when (used in conjunction with the work plan)
• Review budget for upcoming expenses and review last year’s budget (if applicable)

The transition process: A Chair Transition Report Template will be completed. Committee & Council Chairs should also consider a written report to serve as a supplementary resource for planning in the new officer’s term.

​#RegionalCouncilReps #NationalCouncilofChapters