Governance

WorldatWork Governance Review Update

Beginning in July 2010, a substantive review of the Association’s governance structure was undertaken by the Board of Directors. The purpose of this review was to assure the continued strong and effective oversight of the Association and the further advancement of its mission to support rewards and HR professionals around the globe. Evolving WorldatWork’s governance to sync with the operating environment and the professional challenges ahead was viewed by the Board as a critical success factor to WorldatWork’s future.

Throughout this review, the Board’s discussions have been guided by these considerations:

1. The environment in which total rewards professionals operate continues to grow more complicated as each year passes. The need for knowledge, expertise and deepening skill sets, coupled with the global scope of rewards, requires a greater focus on stewardship of the Association’s strategy and resources to meet the demands for rich, relevant and valuable content.  
   
   
2. Nonprofit association oversight and compliance has become increasingly complex, requiring more time, expertise, accountability and historical knowledge of the Association from its volunteer leaders to make decisions that will benefit WorldatWork members in the long term.  
   
   
3. The Association’s governance is comprised of leaders who practice in the HR and rewards field. Those individuals who serve WorldatWork consider their service to be both a privilege and a way to give back more broadly to the profession. Volunteer leaders, while receiving reimbursement for reasonable expenses relating to their attendance at Board meetings, have always served the Association without compensation. Funds expended on governance have been and will continue to be managed very conservatively. 

To effectively address the challenges of the next decade, the Board of Directors has decided to implement a new governance structure effective Jan. 1, 2012, that will:   

1. Expand the charter and size of the Board of Society of Certified Professionals to incorporate significantly more responsibility for overseeing and advancing WorldatWork’s professional development strategy. The Society Board will serve as the voice for the TR profession by:
   
   
   • providing staff with direction and counsel regarding the necessary knowledge and competencies of the total rewards profession;
   • furthering the standing of the members of the profession;
   • promoting ongoing standards of competence and conduct within the profession; and
   • ensuring that certification programs remain rigorous, relevant, current and complete.

The Society Board will be made up of senior practitioners who have deep and broad experience in the field and who have been highly engaged with WorldatWork through their previous volunteer commitments.        

2. Focus the Association’s Board of Directors on oversight of WorldatWork’s operational and financial matters, future strategic resource investments, and succession planning for both governance and senior staff leadership positions. This Board will be comprised of current and former senior WorldatWork volunteer leaders who have significant experience with governing the Association. In addition to their fiduciary oversight role, the Association Board will work closely with the Society Board to establish priorities and allocate resources to meet WorldatWork’s strategic objectives.    

The Board believes having two boards with distinct charters satisfies the guiding principles noted above and will ensure appropriate focus on both the Association operations as a viable enterprise as well as on the professionals who depend on the products and services the Association provides. As the Association works to implement these changes, additional communications will be available in the coming months on the “Inside Your Association” webpage, workspan and other member communications.  

WorldatWork By-Laws

2012 WorldatWork Board of Directors

2012 WorldatWorkSociety of Certified Professionals Board of Directors

2012 Advisory Councils

• Benefits Advisory Council
• Compensation Advisory Council
• Executive Rewards Advisory Council
• Global Advisory Council

2012 AWLP Strategy Board

2012 WorldatWork Local Network Leadership Council

Serve WorldatWork