11 Legal Issues that Board Directors Must Understand

Associations are an important part of society – they have enormous influence over the professions or industries they represent – and on society at large. That’s why, in the US they enjoy tax exemption from certain activities, why they often serve as the standard-setting bodies in their field, and other special advantages.

But authority and privilege come with responsibilities, especially for those in governance roles, such as directors on boards. The actions and decisions of the members of the board of directors are governed by specific laws and regulations – some defined on the federal level, and many defined by the state regulations for not-for-profit organizations where an organization maintains offices and conducts direct business.

It’s important that directors understand what their responsibilities are – and most directors will find it comforting to understand them so that they can act without fear of running afoul of the law. In this webinar, you will learn the specifics of the laws governing boards and their individual members – and will leave with a clear and specific “guide” that you can share as a training tool with new and returning board members.

Special guest speaker Jerry Panaro of Howe & Hutton, Ltd. will cover 11 key areas of the law that directors should understand and why.

Jerry Panaro, Of Counsel, Howe & Hutton, Ltd.

Jerry Panaro is of counsel to Howe & Hutton, Ltd. in its Washington, D.C. office. He has over 35 years of experience in the practice of employment law and representation of nonprofit organizations in the District of Columbia and Maryland. Jerry advises tax-exempt organizations and small businesses and negotiates on their behalf on matters related to employment, corporate and tax matters, antitrust and administrative law. He is the author of Employment Law Manual (1998), and writes a column for HR Advisor. He also does writing, training and seminars on employment law matters for clients and has done webinars for BankersonLine.com. Jerry graduated from Georgetown University Law Center, where he was on the Dean’s List, earned a Ph.D. from Boston College with highest distinction, and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Scranton.

Elissa Matulis Myers, Senior Director, Virtual, Inc.; CEO, Academy of Eating Disorders

Elissa Matulis Myers is a strategic visionary for associations. With a deep background in association management, she works with clients to develop organizational plans that help them optimize their potential. In over 40 years as an association executive, she has developed a passion and expertise for helping associations achieve their missions by reaching beyond their geographic borders. Elissa is currently the CEO of the Academy of Eating Disorders in her role as a Senior Director at Virtual, Inc. She has previously served as the CEO of the Electronic Retailing Association and the Partnership for Prevention, as well as helped literally hundreds of associations to strengthen their governance process and their strategic orientation.

Moderator: Don Kaiser, Executive Vice President, Client Services, Virtual, Inc.

A seasoned senior association executive with additional extensive for-profit business experience, Don Kaiser is a highly accomplished, results-driven leader in the field of trade association management. Don is Executive Vice President for Virtual, Inc., where he oversees the Association and Not-For-Profit practice. He also serves as Executive Director for the Electric Utility Cost Group (EUCG), a Virtual, Inc. client for eight years. Prior to his tenure with Virtual, Inc., Don was the Executive Director of the Pellet Fuels Institute (PFI), a biomass renewable energy trade association where he worked closely with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) on industry-wide pellet fuel standards; lobbied successfully for pellet appliance tax credits for consumers; and oversaw industry data collection programs. Don received his Bachelor of Science degree in economics from Vanderbilt University and his Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Yale University. He is a member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).

Earn a CAE Credit

Virtual, Inc. is a CAE Approved Provider. The program linked above meets the requirements for fulfilling the professional development requirements to earn or maintain the Certified Association Executive credential. Every program that we offer which qualifies for CAE credit will clearly identify the number of CAE credits granted for full participation, and we will maintain records of your participation in accord with CAE policies. For more information about the CAE credential or Approved Provider program, please visit www.asaecenter.org/cae.

As a CAE Approved Provider educational program related to the CAE exam content outline, this program may be applied for 1 credit toward your CAE application or renewal professional development requirements.