develop consensus standards for use by TNI's programs. This group has a support role in assisting other programs with activities such as guidance and standards interpretation.
fosters the generation of data of known and documented quality is through the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program, or NELAP. The purpose of this program is to establish and implement a program for the accreditation of environmental laboratories.
is to establish and maintain a national PT program to support TNI’s National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program, and other activities.
Field Activities Program (NEFAP) Executive Committee is to establish and implement an accreditation program for field sampling and measurement organizations (FSMOs).
Audit Sample Program is to develop consensus standards for the manufacture and analysis of audit samples for source emission testing.
on a variety of topics of interest to the environmental measurement community. TNI also hosts two regularly scheduled meetings per year, typically in January and August. Both are a week long and involve open meetings of TNI committees as well as training courses and other special sessions.Nominations for 2011 Board of Directors
Date Posted: 2-22-2011
Overview of responsibilities
TNI is governed by an elected Board, including five officers. Directors are responsible for decisions regarding TNI's goals, objectives, and allocation of resources. By law, Directors are obligated to 1) act only in the best interests of TNI and to avoid conflicts of interest; 2) act honestly, in good faith, and on an informed basis when making decisions; and 3) pursue the objectives of TNI's mission. TNI holds in high regard Directors who accept these obligations to serve as stewards of the organization.
TNI's Board culture is characterized by full and open participation by all Directors. We believe that this approach maximizes group energy to address major issues facing our profession and organization. We rely upon diverse perspectives to reach well-informed decisions that further our mission. Our Board exercises strategic leadership through its focus on policy, direction, and strategy.
TNI's nomination and election process seeks to recruit and elect qualified individuals who will further our commitment to be a high- performing inclusive organization to foster the generation of environmental data of known and documented quality through an open, inclusive, and transparent process that is responsive to the needs of the community.
Time commitments of Board service
Directors are elected for a term of three years. Meetings of the Board are typically held two times per year-in (in conjunction with the Forum on Laboratory Accreditation) and the Board meets by teleconference monthly. Directors receive detailed agenda materials for study prior to each meeting. Directors may also serve on committees that may conduct business by email, conference call, or additional meetings.
Nominations and Elections process
A Nominating Committee is appointed to identify potential candidates. For 2011, the Nominating Committee is Judy Duncan of the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, Lara Autry of the Environmental Protection Agency, and Kirstin McCracken of TestAmerica. The Committee is charged to recommend a slate of qualified candidates for election by the membership. The Nominating Committee selects candidates for their ability to consider objectively the variety of perspectives, challenges, and choices inherent in the decisions affecting the Association's future, not to represent a particular group, region, or interest. In addition to their leadership knowledge, skills, and abilities, candidates are also selected to ensure that the Board collectively reflects the Association's commitment to diversity and inclusion.
As stated in the TNI Bylaws:
The Directors shall be chosen, insofar as possible, to represent the varied interests and areas of expertise and competency that are of concern to The NELAC Institute and shall have balanced representation from all stakeholder groups. At least three (3) Directors shall be elected from organizations that are recognized accreditation bodies and at least three (3) Directors shall be elected from organizations that are accredited laboratories. Other Directors may be elected, to the extent practical, from organizations that represent other relevant stakeholders. No one stakeholder group shall have a majority on the Board.
Special Note regarding Federal officials: Federal laws prohibit individuals that work for the Federal government from serving on a Board of a non-profit organization in a fiduciary capacity. This law has been interpreted differently by various Federal agencies, but for the sake of consistency, TNI has decided that any Federal official that wishes to serve on the TNI Board can only do so in an Ex-Officio, non-voting role. Currently, four Ex-Officio Directors, representing the Department of Energy, Department of Defense, Department of Interior, and Environmental Protection Agency serve on the TNI Board. If you are a Federal official and would like to serve on the TNI Board, please contact Judy Duncan, the chair of the Nominating Committee.
Qualifications for Directors
The Nominating Committee seeks candidates for the TNI Board of Directors who demonstrate strong leadership, commitment, and contributions to the field of environmental laboratory accreditation. If you are interested in serving on the Board, please complete the TNI Board Nomination Form.
Directors need broad knowledge and awareness of issues facing TNI and must uphold TNI's mission, goals, priorities, and Code of Ethical Conduct.
Directors must demonstrate a commitment to TNI's priority to be a highly functioning organization that is continually enriched by its commitment to balance and inclusion, and must possess strong interpersonal skills with the ability to objectively consider various perspectives to guide major policy decisions.
In addition, Directors need to be able to make the necessary commitment of time and other resources to serve effectively as a Director and to serve as an effective ambassador for the TNI and its principles.
Finally, Directors must be a current member of TNI.
These qualifications are designed to ensure that elected Directors are prepared to fulfill their designated responsibilities, including
- exercising fiduciary responsibilities and stewardship with regard to TNI's goals, policies, and allocation of resources;
- contributing to a policy governance model that provides leadership for TNI with a focus on mission; and
- identifying and cultivating future leaders.
- March 7, 2011 Deadline for submission of application by potential candidates.
- March 18, 2011 Based upon a review of applications, the Nominating Committee develops a slate of candidates
- March 21, 2011 The 2011 slate is officially announced on the TNI website.
- April 5, 2011 Deadline for election.
- April 12, 2011 Newly elected Directors assume office.