AFA is built by its members, and our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. Serving on the AFA Board of Directors or one of our committees is your chance to give back to the industry, build valuable skills, and help shape the future of the association.
Why Volunteer?
When you step into a volunteer role, you're not just supporting AFA - you're investing in yourself. Volunteers gain:
- Leadership and career skills: Build transferable skills in collaboration, planning, and strategy.
- Professional connections: Expand your network with other industry leaders.
- Visibility and recognition: Earn respect from peers, employers, and your community.
- A voice in the industry: Influence programs, policies, and the direction of AFA.
- Personal growth: Share your expertise while learning from others.
How It Works
Each summer, AFA opens a call for volunteers to serve on the Board of Directors and committees. The call runs through late August, with new terms beginning the following year. While we aren't currently accepting volunteer forms, you can review the opportunities below and start thinking about where you'd like to contribute. Be ready to submit your interest when the call opens next summer.
Where You Can Serve
From board positions to committees and task forces, there are opportunities to match every interest and level of experience. Details about each role can be found below.
See the Impact
Want to know what it's like to serve? Check out the recap video from our most recent meeting and hear directly from volunteers who are making a difference.
Positions
Committee Positions
Below are the current AFA Committees that are looking for volunteers. Committee terms are a minimum of one (1) year and any member, in good standing, is eligible to submit their application.
AFA Education Foundation
The Foundation provides financial support for AFA's professional development initiatives and an academic scholarship program for eligible students. Foundation volunteers engage donors and hold fundraising events that support educational and charitable initiatives for the industry.
Government Relations Committee
The GR Committee advances member interests with governmental agencies and AHJ's (authorities having jurisdiction). The committee focuses on code awareness and enforcement issues, licensing, and workforce development initiatives.
Membership Committee
The Membership Committee serves and the voice of the member and provides insights to the various strategies that grow membership. The committee may also be asked to evaluate current and future member benefits.
Mission Committee
The Mission Committee will coordinate service-leadership project(s) at FENCETECH.
Professional Development Committee
The PD Committee will advance AFA's Career Pathways education strategy and help ensure a quality instructor and student experience. Career Pathways develop technical and business competencies in gate automation, fence installation, contactor business knowledge, sales training, and operations management.
Technical Standards Committee
The Technical Committee will examine UL and ASTM safety standards and make recommendations for improved awareness and adherence.
Special Interest Groups
Members can also join our Special Interest Groups (SIG).
SIG Options
Director Positions
Members who have never served on the Board of Directors, but who have been an AFA member, in good standing, for at least three (3) years can apply to be a Director. For 2025, there are 3 Director positions open.
Qualifications
Must be a member that has been in good standing for a minimum of three (3) years immediately prior to taking office.
Duties of Director
- Must be present at Board meetings and prepared to participate, having read all materials prior to coming to the meeting.
- Must be sensitive to conflicts of interest, legal and practical.
- Must question any conflict of interest by a Director or staff.
- Must obtain advice from AFA’s staff, lawyer, auditor, or fellow Directors regarding any conflict situation, or information provided to the board which the Director does not understand.
- Must be sensitive to AFA’s financial affairs, an area of particular fiduciary concern.
Term of Office
Each elected Director shall serve a three (3) year term and then may be eligible for re-election. The Directors’ terms shall begin on January 1st following their election and shall expire on December 31st of the third year following their election. No Director shall be eligible to serve more than two (2) consecutive three (3) year terms without the interruption of at least one year, with the exception of a Director who is an officer. The CPC Chair will serve as a Director for the duration of his/her term as the CPC Chair.
Officer Positions
Nominees for President-Elect, Secretary, and Treasurer positions must have served at least two (2) years as a Director on the Board prior to running for an officer position. Officer positions that are open in 2025 include: President-Elect, Secretary, (3) Board of Directors and Chapter Presidents Committee Chair-Elect (recommended by the Chapter Presidents Committee).
Joining the AFA Board of Directors provides you with an opportunity to drive and influence the decisions of our organization by shaping the governance and initiatives that positively impact the livelihoods of AFA members and their customers. Members who have been in good standing for at least three years are eligible to submit their application. After survey submission, AFA staff will follow up to gather additional information about the candidate.
Chair-Elect, Chapter Presidents Committee (CPC)
Qualifications
- Shall have served as chapter president two (2) years.
- Has demonstrated energy, commitment and support for the Association’s mission.
- Must be willing to devote the necessary time to fulfill responsibilities of the Office.
Duties of CPC Chair-Elect
- Serve on the CSC (Chapter Success Committee) which functions as an executive committee for the CPC.
- Represent the CPC on the Education Foundation and the Nominations Committee.
- Term of Office for CPC Chair-Elect.
Term of Office
The terms of office shall be one year. The terms shall begin on January 1 following their election and shall continue to December 31 of that year. At such time, the CPC Chair-Elect shall become CPC Chair. No elected officer shall be eligible to hold the same office for more than two (2) consecutive terms without the interruption of at least one (1) year from the date the officer ceased holding such office.
Treasurer
Qualifications
- Shall have served at least two (2) years as a Director prior to running for an officer position.
- Has demonstrated energy, commitment and support for the Association’s mission.
- Must be willing to devote the necessary time to fulfill responsibilities of the Office.
Duties of Treasurer
- The Treasurer shall remain fully advised as to the financial condition of the Association, have charge and custody of all funds and securities of the Association, be responsible for the receipt and disbursement thereof; and shall be responsible for authenticating the records, documents and resolutions of the Association and the Board of Directors.
- The Treasurer shall regularly report to the Board of Directors on the financial conditions of the Association, and shall perform all duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as may be prescribed by law, by these Bylaws, or as may be assigned by the President or by the Board of Directors from time to time.
Term of Office
The term of office of the Treasurer shall be two (2) years. The term shall begin on January 1 following their election and shall continue to December 31 of the following year. No elected officer shall be eligible to hold the same office for more than two (2) consecutive terms without the interruption of at least one year from the date the officer ceased holding such office.
Secretary
Qualifications
- Shall have served at least two (2) years as a Director prior to running for an officer position.
- Has demonstrated energy, commitment and support for the Association’s mission.
- Must be willing to devote the necessary time to fulfill responsibilities of the Office.
Duties of Secretary
- Shall be responsible for authenticating the records, documents and resolutions of the Association, the Board of Directors and its members.
- Shall perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as may be prescribed by law, by the Bylaws, or as may be assigned by the President or Board of Directors from time to time.
Term of Office
The term of office of the Secretary shall be one (1) year. The term shall begin on January 1 following their election and shall continue to December 31 of that year. No elected officer shall be eligible to hold the same office for more than two (2) consecutive terms without the interruption of at least one year from the date the officer ceased holding such office.
President-Elect
Qualifications
- Is well acquainted with the organization, its history, mission, current role, finances, programs and services, constituency and staff; understands the external forces that affect the organization.
- Has demonstrated energy, commitment and support for the Association’s mission.
- Must be willing to devote the necessary time to fulfill responsibilities of the Office.
- Possesses the ability to inspire a shared vision for the mission of the organization.
- Shall have served at least two (2) years as a Director prior to running for an officer position.
Duties of President-Elect
- Review Board agenda materials in advance and understand the issues presented.
- Understand the strategic plan, organizational priorities and support AFA’s public policies.
- Represent the interests of the organization when voting on action items. While discussion should reflect personal experience or expertise, the primary responsibility of a member of the Board is the well-being of AFA.
- In the absence of the President, or in the event of his/her inability or refusal to act, the President-Elect shall perform all the duties of the President.
- Shall perform all duties incident to the office of President-Elect and such other duties as may be prescribed by law, by the Association’s Bylaw, or as may be assigned by the President or Board of Directors.
Term of Office
The term of office shall be one year. The terms shall begin on January 1 following their election and shall continue to December 31 of that year. At such time, the President-Elect shall become President. No elected officer shall be eligible to hold the same office for more than two (2) consecutive terms without the interruption of at least one (1) year from the date the officer ceased holding such office.
Hear from our Volunteers
The biggest opportunity for learning for me has been working with other professionals on association projects and challenges. Being in a room with others and seeing how others approach and find solutions has been very insightful. It has helped me improve my skills when facing challenges in my own business.
Volunteering with AFA has taught me to work on something greater than my company, and it has helped me to learn to be part of a team, not just the leader all the time. It has helped my company by allowing me to meet so many people in our industry.
AFA has offered me several opportunities to selflessly serve and lead in different capacities. The pressure and excitement of being a part of an organization and leading the charge on boards and committees places you in a spotlight that motivates one to do the job right.
