Textile Society of America Board of Directors, 2027–2029 position descriptions. Board positions open for this this Election cycle include the list below. Click each title to jump to position description:
- Recording Secretary
- Director of Communications
- Director of Awards and Scholarships
- Director of Finance
- Director-at-Large of Membership and Engagement
- Director-at-Large of Ethics and Community Knowledge
- Director of Strategic Planning
The election period is October 22–29, with results being announced on November 5, 2026.
General info about the TSA Board responsibilities and its activities:
Board members are responsible for the stewardship of the organization. They work to define and refine its goals and mission as TSA grows and develops. The Board establishes priorities while ensuring that the activities address the mission and core values of TSA, to support and strengthen the structure, finances, and functionality of the organization. The Board contributes their knowledge and skills in various ways and should represent the diversity of TSA both geographically and professionally.
All Board members participate in Board meetings, contributing to the agenda and providing their expertise and experience to Board activities. They are expected to participate in all meetings and are required to attend at least 75% of Board meetings within a two-year period. Board meetings are held on Zoom, and all Board members are responsible for their own costs for attendance.
TSA Board members help to develop and promote the activities of TSA, contribute their time and energy to build and engage with members, and help to identify constituencies that contribute to the vitality and relevance of the organization.
Focus on Diversity:
The Textile Society of America, an international organization, recognizes the profound global reach of textiles. We are committed to developing leadership initiatives, membership, and programming rooted in the plurality of textile histories, producers, and purposes. With an eye toward expanding our voices and audience, we will focus on inclusion of underrepresented groups and advocacy for robust diversity of our personal and professional viewpoints.
General qualifications:
Board members are expected to be engaged and established in their field of expertise. Previous experience on a not-for-profit Board is very helpful, but not a requirement. While there is not a financial requirement, all Board members engage in the fundraising process in a variety of capacities which are essential to the organization’s financial security. Board members should plan to spend several hours monthly on TSA business, which varies throughout the year, and to meet regularly via video conference calls with their committees.
Responsibilities:
● Directors actively support TSA’s fundraising efforts. They assist in opening doors to individual, corporate, and foundation prospects, and steward donor relationships. Directors also play an active role in fundraising. Above all, Directors act as ambassadors for TSA’s mission, values, and equity commitments.
● Actively maintain contact with local, national, and international textile organizations, museums, and colleagues in their respective fields, engaging in diplomacy and extending TSA’s networks for communications and support.
● Act as a conduit for gathering information for TSA publications on museum and gallery exhibitions, workshops, lectures, and other textile-related activities.
● Promote TSA at textile-related events (e.g., presentations for local weavers’ guilds, textile history classes, universities, conferences, gallery openings).
● Contribute articles and ideas for TSA publications as appropriate and pro-actively encourage others.
● Encourage or sponsor regionally focused, textile-related events. This may include arranging for TSA to co-sponsor an event that has already been organized.
● Participate in TSA Symposium planning, abstract review process, and other related activities, and be available to serve as a moderator for panels and sessions as needed. Directors also support the redesign of the next Symposium to align with strategic priorities.
● Directors support TSA’s infrastructure initiatives, including enhanced digital platforms and a community-informed projects.
Descriptions of Open Positions
Recording Secretary
Tenure: (Two-year term, voting) May be elected in the subsequent cycle for a second two-year term, if desired.
Job description: The Recording Secretary records minutes of all Board meetings (Executive Committee and Full Board), and keeps records of all e-mail decisions and interim decisions of the Executive Committee made during the interim between Board meetings, which are to be presented to the
Executive Committee and Full Board at the beginning of each meeting, and included in the minutes. The Recording Secretary should also keep a record of all electronic votes and decisions by the full Board in the interim between meetings. The Recording Secretary also records minutes of the General Membership Meeting.
Candidature: TSA member with experience in meeting documentation, administrative records management, and governance support. Strong writing skills, organizational accuracy, and meticulous attention to detail are essential. [back to top]
Director of Communications
Tenure: (Two-year term, voting) May be elected in the subsequent cycle for a second two-year term, if desired.
Job description: The Director of Communications leads strategic, integrated communications that advance the Textile Society of America’s mission to foster interdisciplinary, globally engaged dialogue about textiles. As Chair of the Communications Committee, the Director stewards TSA’s public voice across digital platforms, publications, programs, and media outreach; ensures that member and public communications are clear, inclusive, and timely; and aligns messaging with organizational priorities, governance decisions, and community needs.
Candidature: TSA member with experience in communications, marketing, journalism, or public relations. Strong writing skills and attention to brand voice are essential. [back to top]
Director of Awards & Scholarships
Tenure: (Two-year term, voting) May be elected in the subsequent cycle for a second two-year term, if desired.
Job description: The Awards & Scholarships Committee oversees TSA’s established awards, scholarships, and grants, including but not limited to:
○ R. L. Shep Memorial Book Award
○ Research Travel Grant
○ TSA Symposium Scholarships and Financial Aid Programs
○ Other Board-approved awards, scholarships, and grants
Members review nominations, select recipients, and ensure award processes are equitable and transparent. They also explore opportunities to expand recognition programs that celebrate excellence and innovation in textile scholarship and practice.
Candidature: TSA member with experience in academic or artistic awards, grantmaking,
or review processes. Attention to detail and commitment to equity are essential. [back to top]
Director of Finance
Tenure: (Two-year term, voting) May be elected in the subsequent cycle for a second two-year term, if desired.
Job description: The Director oversees TSA’s budget, reserves, and financial reporting. Members monitor organizational spending, review quarterly financial statements, and ensure fiscal policies align with best practices. They work with the Executive Director to develop the annual budget and present financial updates to the full Board.
Candidature: TSA member with experience in accounting and budgeting with meticulous and detail-oriented bookkeeping is essential. [back to top]
Director-at-Large of Membership and Engagement
Tenure: (Two-year term, voting) May be elected in the subsequent cycle for a second two-year term, if desired.
Job description: The Director-at-Large of Membership and Engagement drives member growth, retention, and cross-sector engagement. Members oversee outreach-based initiatives, enhance and revitalize partnerships, and support the redesign of the next Symposium. They track progress toward membership growth goals and develop strategies to increase member
value and satisfaction. Candidature:
Candidature: TSA member with experience in marketing, membership, community organizing, or digital community platforms. Familiarity with directory plugins (e.g., MemberPress, Wild Apricot, WordPress) and user-to-user messaging systems is preferred. A passion for building cross-sector connections is essential. [back to top]
Director-at-Large of Ethics and Community Knowledge
Tenure: (Two-year term, voting) May be elected in the subsequent cycle for a second two-year term, if desired.
Job description: The Director-at-Large of Ethics and Community Knowledge oversees initiatives related to ethical practice, community knowledge, and shared textile knowledge infrastructure. Members
guide the development of ethical principles and community-informed knowledge resources, advise on metadata and documentation standards, and help ensure Indigenous and community-led participation remains central to these efforts.
Candidature: TSA member with experience in ethics, museum studies, Indigenous knowledge, digital humanities, or information science. Technical familiarity with metadata standards, APIs, or controlled vocabularies is strongly preferred. Commitment to equity and community-led practice is essential. [back to top]
Director of Strategic Planning
Tenure: (Two-year term, voting) May be elected in the subsequent cycle for a second two-year term, if desired.
Job description: The Director of Strategic Planning tracks progress on TSA’s strategic goals, prepares annual progress reports, and identifies emerging opportunities or risks. Members coordinate cross-committee work, ensure alignment across initiatives, and lead the strategic refresh. They report to the full Board on goal attainment and long-term planning.
Candidates: TSA member with strategic planning, governance, or organizational development experience. A big-picture mindset and ability to synthesize across committees is essential. [back to top]
For questions, please contact us at info@textilesocietyofamerica.org
