2007 COMMON Board of Directors Election

ELECTIONS ARE OPEN -VOTE NOW!

There are four candidates running for three open positions on COMMON's Board of Directors. Learn more about each candidate below by reading their position paper carefully as you consider whom you want to help lead COMMON for the next 3 years, then vote!

You may also ask any candidate a question on the BOD Candidates Discussion Forum at http://isociety.common.org. Once you sign-on, select Discussions (forums) and the top forum will be the BOD Candidates.

2007 COMMON Board of Directors Candidates
Dan Kimmel
	Dan has been an active iSeries and IBM midrange software development professional for over 30 years. He has designed and developed custom and commercial application and integration code for myriad IBM iSeries and midrange customers in manufacturing, medical, financial and other industries. Dan has been a speaker and/or volunteer at more than 30 COMMON conferences; he has served on the board for three years; prior to that, his most recent position was head of the Tactical Liaison to Curriculum (TLCs) crew. Learn more about Dan.
Bob Krzeczowski
	Having worked in the IT industry for the last 26 years I have filled many roles. I have worked as an employee, consultant and business owner. As a programmer, an analyst and a manger I have always found that learning something new, either formally in a class or informally from a colleague is one of the true joys of what we do. I am proud to say that COMMON has played a huge part in that education, the formal part and the informal interaction with colleagues and friends. That is why I have been a volunteer for COMMON as a speaker, and a member of the Education Team for over 15 years. I believe that my experience will help COMMON in its future endeavors. Learn more about Bob.
Wayne Madden
	I so appreciate the experiences I've had in these past three years serving as a Board member. Your elected Board has worked very hard to align the overall COMMON organization, benefits, and educational offerings with the needs that we've heard COMMON members express in surveys and in person. We've delivered expanded educational offerings to meet the needs of more members and this board has also created a new volunteer structure to include volunteers focused on "Community and Networking" and also "Leadership and Advocacy," along with the current Education structure. I certainly believe that for COMMON to be a vibrant user group, all three of those areas need active volunteers and visible activities and results. I'd like the opportunity to continue working on the Board. As a volunteer, this is a way that I can give back to COMMON. Learn more about Wayne.
Rajan Narayanan
	I bring to bear over two decades of global IT experience with particular emphasis on the IBM midrange. Currently, as Senior Vice President, I head the IBM practice at MindTree Consulting Ltd. I have been associated with the IBM midrange in its various manifestations – from the System/3x to the AS/400, the iSeries and more recently, System i. I am intimately familiar with the system and the technologies around it. I have a sound understanding of business practices and have supported clients in varied industry segments in the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific. Was a founder-promoter of a software company at Bangalore, India, providing AS/400-related specialist services. Among the strengths that I have, I can count on two that have served me well in the course of my career – one, entrepreneurial flair and the other, managing relationships. Learn more about Rajan.

Board of Directors Position Description

Mission:

The structure and purpose of the Board of Directors is governed by the Bylaws of COMMON. The Board of Directors delegates the authority and responsibility for day-to-day activities to COMMON's Executive Director. The primary duty of the Board is to concentrate their activities on issues of strategic importance to the future well being of COMMON.

Reports To:

The COMMON Membership

Responsibilities:

• Sets policy and strategic direction for COMMON
• Has fiduciary responsibility for all COMMON Activities
• Provides direction to the Executive Director
• Approves the annual budget
• Maintains communication channels with IBM and all levels of the COMMON organization
• Participation in strategic planning sessions held by Users Groups, IBM and/or other organizations that require non-disclosure
• Acts in accordance with COMMON's Bylaws and Code of Ethics
• Represents COMMON to other users groups
• Votes on issues presented to the Board

Recommended Qualifications:

• Leadership
• Team player
• Experience with budgets and business planning
• Financial management and process management
• Change and quality management
• Participation in two (2) conferences over the last two (2) years.
• At least five (5) years experience in a system (software, hardware or applications) and/or management environment

Commitment:

• Must be able to commit time required to the term of office set by the election procedures.
• Must be able to attend two (2) conferences per year, totaling ten (10) days, plus two (2) days before and one (1) day after each conference to attend Board meetings.
• Must be able to attend two (2) Interim Board meetings per year, totaling six (6) days.
• Must be able to attend one (1) Strategic Planning meeting per year, totaling three (3) days.
• Must be able to attend special meetings called by the President.
• Must be available to participate in conference calls as designated by the President.

Benefits:

• A Director has the opportunity to meet with key personnel in IBM, Users Groups and other organizations.
• A Director has the opportunity to interface with key personnel throughout the COMMON organization and to discuss current technology.
• A Director develops policy and procedures that contribute to making COMMON a dynamic and highly effective organization, through interaction with COMMON's membership.
• A Director can experience personal growth through the interchange of ideas with IBM and peer groups, and can expand their knowledge of planning and managing a large organization.
• A Director has the opportunity to make a significant contribution to COMMON's future.

Reasons for Dismissal:

• Inability to attend COMMON conferences twice a year.
• Unable to attend Interim Board meetings on a regular basis.
• Failure to attend a Strategic Planning meeting on a yearly basis.
• Unable or unwilling to act in a capacity designated by the Board of Directors.
• Failure to fulfill the responsibilities of the office.
• Failure to act in a way consistent with COMMON's Code of Ethics and Bylaws.