Apply for CHEST Leadership Positions

The CHEST President performs all duties set forth in the bylaws and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Regents. Those duties include:

Strategic Advisor

• Working with the CEO and board, the President will continuously affirm the identify and direction of the college, ensuring the appropriate resources and oversight are in place so the organization can fulfill its mission.
• In consultation with the CEO and board, the President sets short- and long-term goals and seeks innovations with specific, measurable outcomes to ensure the organization is mission-centered and outcome-oriented.
• Evaluates progress of the planned goals/innovations and the strategic plan to ensure the health and growth of the organization.

Fiscal Responsibility

• In partnership with the board, the President should have a thorough understanding of the annual budget, audit reports, and material business decisions.
• Monitors financial planning and financial reports.
• Reviews and approves unbudgeted expenditures in the event that the Board of Regents is unable to convene, and report any action taken on behalf of the Board to each Regent as soon as is practical.
• Have authority to sign legal documents on behalf of the organization as authorized by the bylaws, board resolution or by the board.

Advocacy and Development

• Act as a key spokesperson for the organization.
• Act as an ambassador for the organization.
• Actively listen to membership and respond to queries.
• Act as a liaison to other societies, including international or inter-societal.
• Represent the College when formal appearances are necessary or desirable before the medical community at large, and to federal, state, and local government agencies and private organizations.

Leadership

• Act as the primary liaison between the board and the organization’s CEO.
• Work with the CEO to ensure that basic college policies and programs are formulated and executed.
• Guide the board through its discussions and decision-making.
• Lead the College toward achieving its mission and vision.
• Respect the confidentiality of CHEST and its members and act as a trusted advisor.
• Serve as Chair at all meetings of the Board of Regents.
• Appoint special or ad hoc committees and their members, subject to the appointment authority of the President-Elect and not otherwise provided for in the bylaws.
• Appoint CHEST representatives to civic, professional, and government organizations as may be required to execute the business and affairs of CHEST.
• Serve as Chair of all societal leadership meetings being hosted by the College.
• Choose a Chair for the CHEST annual meeting (same year as presidency), attend the Executive Program Committee Meeting, choose keynote speaker, choose the Presidential Honor Lecturer recipient, and approve Honor Lecture and Annual Award recommendations from the Honor Lecture and Awards Committee.
• Serve as a non-voting ex officio member of select committees.
• Stay abreast of, and ensure CHEST’s compliance with, various state and federal laws, as well as the corporation’s articles of incorporation and bylaws.
• Act in the event of any contingency or emergency not covered by the bylaws.

Meeting Administration

• Work with the CEO in the development of agendas for board meetings.
• Review the meeting minutes of the board prior to distribution.
• Submit and update, as necessary, conflict of interest information to and for the College.
• Perform such other duties as the board may assign.

Communications

• Deliver the Presidential Address at the annual opening session.
• In a timely manner, write welcome letters or articles for the CHEST annual meeting print/online programs, the leadership directory, and various publications such as CHEST Physician.
• Review and respond as appropriate to correspondence directed to the President.
• Inform the CEO of any correspondence and response generated on behalf of the College from the President's personal office.

Staff and Board Development

• Advise and guide board members to help them assess their performance and ensure they are fulfilling their duties.
• Support the organization’s commitment to a diverse board and staff that reflects the communities it serves.
• Assist the CEO to actively recruit and develop board members.
• In partnership with the CEO, ensure there is a robust continuity plan to ensure organizational readiness and structure to guarantee seamless transitions between presidents.
• Conduct Past Presidents calls and meetings, using this group as advisors and maintaining continuity.
• Participate in the review and performance evaluation of the CEO on an annual basis.

Qualifications

• Be willing and have the ability to devote a great deal of time, on a daily basis, to the College.
• Extensive professional experience with significant executive leadership accomplishments.
• Demonstrated success as a nonprofit board member or board chair.
• Track record of building credibility in the College community.
• A commitment to and understanding CHEST’s mission, preferably based on experience working on committees.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a natural affinity for cultivating relationships and persuading, convening, facilitating, and building consensus among diverse individuals.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills coupled with natural affinity for public speaking.

The office of the President is open to CHEST Fellows (FCCPs) who meet all qualifications:

• CHEST leadership experience.
• Professional respect in the medical community, as evidenced by at least two letters of recommendation that meet the requirements;
• Skills and leadership as a practicing physician, clinician, or researcher.
• Commitment to promoting diversity and international involvement in our activities;
• Advanced communication skills and the ability to be a spokesperson.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally.

Candidates must submit:

• Nomination form
• Vision statement (not to exceed one page)
• Three letters of reference (not to exceed 1-2 pages) from active Fellows (FCCPs) of CHEST (may NOT be from individuals currently serving in the Presidential line, or a member of the Governance Committee). If you have applied for this role previously, you may carry over letters of reference for one additional year, but we ask that at least one new letter of reference be submitted for your current application. We ask that you waive your right to view letters prior to submission to Suzanne Sletto (ssletto@chestnet.org).
• Letter of support from current place of work (eg, Director, Chair, Dean, Practice Manager)
• Curriculum vitae
• List of relevant CHEST experience/activities (Note: you may reach out to CHEST staff to verify historical activities or positions.)
• Responses to the CHEST Presidential Candidate Issue Analysis

Regents must:

• Attend all Board of Regents meetings each year, including face-to-face meetings (typically four each year) and conference calls (approximately one each year).
• Actively participate in Board of Regents discussions and decisions regarding CHEST budgets, financial reports, committee reports and requests, strategic planning, and all other matters brought to the attention of the Board of Regents or otherwise within its responsibilities.
• Have good understanding of and appreciation for CHEST bylaws and other governance policies.
• Serve in leadership positions and undertake special assignments willingly and enthusiastically.
• Accept responsibility as a fiduciary to CHEST, including the duty of care, the duty of obedience, and the duty of loyalty.

* Please note that the time commitment necessary to be successful in this role is not insignificant. In addition to travel and attendance at meetings, there are also typically large packets of materials to be thoughtfully reviewed prior to meetings and calls.

There are qualities and skills the Governance Committee will consider when reviewing documents. Review the list below, and, in your vision statement, include the qualities and skills you want to highlight. Additionally, all applicants must abide by CHEST Leadership Conflict of Interest Policy.

Leadership: Candidate should have demonstrated leadership abilities; at least a 3- to 5-year horizon on their thinking; the ability to effectively inspire and empower others; the ability to effectively direct CHEST resources to achieve its goals and objectives; and the ability to build teamwork among peers with different needs, backgrounds, and interests.

Governance: Candidate should demonstrate that they can make judgments in the interest of the entire membership without conflicting interests; understand the duties and responsibilities of members of the Board of Regents; clearly articulate the difference between governance and management; know the duties of care, loyalty, and obedience, and be able to give examples of exercising each of these; demonstrate how they have governed in the past; give instances in which they have elevated peers from micromanaging to governance; and know what it means to govern.

Experience: Candidate should have experience and competence with organizational finances and budgeting; a variety of life experiences; management experience; experience or demonstrated understanding of issues related to quality, safety measures, and health care reform; and experience in a CHEST leadership position.

Candidates must submit:

• Nomination form
• Vision statement (not to exceed one page)
• Two letters (not to exceed) of reference from active Fellows of CHEST (may NOT be from individuals currently serving in the Presidential line, or a member of the Governance Committee). If you have applied for this role previously, you may carry over letters of reference for one additional year, but we ask that at least one new letter of reference be submitted for your current application. We ask that you waive your right to view letters prior to submission to Suzanne Sletto (ssletto@chestnet.org).
• Curriculum vitae
• List of relevant CHEST experience/activities (Note: you may reach out to CHEST staff to verify historical activities or positions.)