Board of Directors

-We are pleased to announce the 2023 Elections for the DSSAA Board of Directors.

-The DSSAA Board has  seven (7) members..

-Elections will be held via online ballot via a third party company to provide election integrity.

-The 2023 elections will follow the rules established in the DSSAA Bylaws.  Please download and read prior to nominating an individual or self-nominating as there are different requirements for each position and the Board as a whole.   (Bylaws are located at bottom of this page).

-Serve the DS community and family.

-Be a voice for your fellow DSSAA members, DS employees, and the DS retired community.

-Plan/Host DSSAA events.

-Help bring concepts and ideas to reality.  I.E. the family picnic, social hours, professional development, community engagement, etc.

-Engage with various DS offices and leadership.

-Learn more about DS and DOS than you ever knew possible.

-DSSAA is a DOS recognized "Employee Association" as of 2005 and your activities/actions with DSSAA may be used on your EER. 

 -Nominations are open from March 18th 2023 to April 8th, 2023 at 11:59pm EST.

-A voting link will be emailed to every DSSAA member by COB, April 15th, 2023.

-DSSAA members have until April 19th, 2023 at 11:59pm EST to vote.

-Winners will be announced within five (5) days after the Board certifies the results.

-The new DSSAA Board of Directors will assume their positions on May 15th, 2023.

-Must be a DSSAA member in good standing.

-Must be in good standing with the DOS.

-Willing to serve a three (3) year term on the DSSAA Board.

-Must reside within 50 miles of Washington, DC. (participating in DSSAA events is required).

-Must host one (1) DSSAA major event and three (3) DSSAA minors events per year.

-Attend DSSAA Board meetings (usually two per year) and correspond regularly with the DSSAA Board.

-Be able to perform the requirements/duties of the position.

*** See DSSAA Bylaws for more information.

-Per the Bylaws of the DSSAA, you may nominate a DSSAA member or self-nominate for any DSSAA Board position you qualify for.

-An individual may only be nominated or self-nominate for one (1) position.  An individual may not run for multiple positions.

-To nominate an individual or self-nominate, please email name, position of interest, and up to a 300 word bio/statement which will be included with ballots sent to all DSSAA members.

-Please read the position descriptions below.  Some positions are open to all DSSAA members, others have special requirements, Active Duty, Retired, etc.

-Send/Email nominations and self-nominations to: elections@dssaa.org

-If you have any questions, please contact DSSAA at contactus@dssaa.org

The President shall be an active-duty DS Special Agent (job series 2501 or 1811) in good standing with the Department, and a member of the Association. The President shall be a voting member of the DSSAA Board with all rights and privileges thereof. 

The President shall:

a) Be the principal executive officer of DSSAA and DSSAA Store(s);

b) Be subject to the control of the DSSAA Board, provide general supervision and control all activities and operations of DSSAA;

c) Be responsible for the general management, hiring, and firing of all personnel and shall be responsible for keeping the Board informed of staff performance and implementation of personnel policies adopted by the Board;

d) The President shall keep the Board completely informed, and shall freely consult with them in relation to DSSAA activities;

e) Preside at all meetings of DSSAA and the Board;

f) Sign, with the Vice President or other proper officer authorized by the Board, deeds, contracts, agreements, or other instruments, and receive, deposit, and disburse and account for all funds, except in situations where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board or by these Bylaws to some other officer or member or shall be required by law to be otherwise signed or executed;

g) Be authorized to appoint a DSSAA member or non-member to any committee (subject to Board approval);

h) Perform all duties incident to the office of President and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board from time to time;

i) Represent DSSAA to the general public, DS and Department leadership, outside organizations, and government agencies;

j) Delegate their specific authority to other DSSAA Board members if the Board agrees another Board member has more extensive knowledge or experience in a matter of DSSAA concern. 

l)  The President will be a voting member of the Diplomatic Security Foundation Board of Directors for the duration of his/her tenure in that office.

The Vice President shall be an active-duty DS Special Agent (series 2501 or 1811) in good standing with the Department and a member of the Association. The Vice President shall be a voting member of the DSSAA Board with all rights and privileges thereof. 

In the absence of the President (such as resignation, termination, or inability/refusal to act or otherwise), the Vice President shall:

a) Perform the duties of the President.  When so acting, the Vice President shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions on the President;  

b) The Vice President may sign, with the President or other authorized officer of the Board, official documents in the performance of official DSSAA duties;

c) Perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the President and/or the Board from time to time and subject to those Board and/or Bylaw restrictions.

The Recording Secretary shall be an active-duty or retired DS direct-hire Employee or Agent in good standing with the Department and a member of the Association. The Recording Secretary shall be a voting member of the DSSAA Board with all rights and privileges thereof.

The Recording Secretary shall:

a) Attend all meetings (as possible);

b) Keep minutes of the meetings (in hard copy or electronic format) with Board-approved minutes retained in logical records; 

c) Prepare and present the business to be discussed at all meetings of DSSAA and the Board; 

d) Ensure that notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of the Bylaws or as required by law;

e) Be custodian of Board and DSSAA records which are required to be kept at the principal offices;

f) Shall maintain a copy of the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws as amended to date, federal tax exemption finding, and three (3) years of federal tax information returns available for inspection during regular business hours at a designated DSSAA location as indicated to the public on the DSSAA website;

g) Perform all duties incident to the office of the Secretary and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board or the President from time to time. 

Be responsible for the vote count for the election of members of the Board and other vote counts for all DSSAA Board votes. 

The Financial Secretary (also known as the Treasurer) shall be an active-duty or retired DS direct-hire  Employee or Agent  in good standing with the Department and a member of the Association. The Financial Secretary shall be a voting member of the DSSAA Board with all rights and privileges thereof.

The Financial Secretary shall:

a) Work with the DSSAA President, Bookkeeper, third party accountants, and the DSSAA Store Manager to keep and maintain adequate and accurate business and financial records of the DSSAA, its assets and liabilities, DSSAA Store operations, and other matters customarily included in financial statements;

b) Answer any Board questions related to DSSAA finances;

c) Ensure corporate and governmental financial forms are timely filed;

d) Work with the DSSAA Bookkeeper to provide a quarterly summary and a detailed annual financial accounting review to the DSSAA Board;

e) Be responsible for ensuring the deposit of, or cause to be deposited, all money and other valuables as designated by the Board;

f) Be responsible for disbursing, or cause to be disbursed, the funds of the DSSAA as designated by the Board (except regular DSSAA store funds managed by the DSSAA Store Manager); 

g) Work with the DSSAA Store Manager to maintain inventory integrity of the DS Store via annual inventory; 

The Communications Secretary shall be an active-duty DS direct-hire  Employee or Agent  in good standing with the Department and a member of the Association. The Communications Secretary shall be a voting member of the DSSAA Board with all rights and privileges thereof.

The Communications Secretary shall:

a) Draft correspondence to DSSAA Members and outside organizations in conjunction with the DSSAA Board and President;

b) Maintain all DSSAA Social Media Accounts;

c) Serve as the DSSAA liaison to DS Public Affairs, Recruiting, and other DS offices as needed or assigned by the DSSAA Board;

d) Respond to written inquiries from DSSAA members and outside parties forwarded by the Store Manager;

e) Receive and respond (as appropriate) to correspondence pertaining to DSSAA. 

The Active-Duty DS Employees Representative shall be an active-duty DS direct-hire  Employee or Agent  in good standing with the Department and a member of Association. The Active-Duty DS Employees Representative shall be a voting member of the DSSAA Board with all rights and privileges thereof. 

The Active-Duty DS Employees Representative shall:

a) Serve as the representative of all active-duty members of DSSAA and DS to the DSSAA Board;

b) Be assigned duties and responsibilities as determined by a majority of the DSSAA Board.

The Retired DS Employees Representative shall be an individual who retired from an active-duty, direct-hire DS  Employee or Agent (not resigned) in good standing and is currently in good standing with the Department and a member of the Association. The Retired DS Employees Representative shall be a voting member of the DSSAA Board with all rights and privileges thereof. 

The Retired DS Employees Representative shall:

a) Serve as the representative of all retired members of DSSAA and DS to the DSSAA Board;

b) Be assigned duties and responsibilities as determined by a majority of the DSSAA Board.