Rocky Mountain Rugby Leadership Roles
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CHAIR OF THE BOARD
Current Chair: Rich Cortez
From the Bylaws: "The Chair of the Board shall preside over all Union and Executive Committee meetings and is responsible for the development of the union’s officers. The chair shall be annually elected from existing officers who have served the previous year in order to preserve and pass knowledge of the union’s operations. In the event of a tie during union voting matters, the Chair shall cast the deciding vote."
The Chair is also one of two roles (along with the President) primarily responsible for being the primary signature on "all deeds, documents, transfers, contracts, engagements, bonds, bills of exchange and other instruments" and one of two roles (also along with the President) who may authorize amounts over $1,000.
Nominees for this position are required to have served on the Board the previous cycle of operations, and should ideally have extensive leadership qualities and experience managing meetings and records of tenured nonprofit organizations.
PRESIDENT
Current President: Erik Geib
From the Bylaws: "The President shall organize and lead Union and Executive Committee meetings, and administer the activities of the other officers and committees of the Union. He/she shall encourage membership in the Union, and with the help of the members shall determine the Union objectives and work toward their achievement."
Per USA Rugby's 2020 restructure the President is also the union's representative to the Senior Club Council unless another Board member is elected by the Board. The President may also set the agenda for meetings in place of the Secretary, is responsible for nominating the Chair of the Disciplinary Committee and the Union's Appeals Officer, and is the party responsible for accepting Board resignations.
The President is also one of two roles (along with the Chair) primarily responsible for being the primary signature on "all deeds, documents, transfers, contracts, engagements, bonds, bills of exchange and other instruments. and one of two roles (also along with the Chair) who may authorize amounts over $1,000. The President is also one of two roles (along with the Treasurer) responsible for writing checks, and works with the Chair, Treasurer, and Executive Directors to construct the annual budget.
The President's primary duties are to the Board, to represent the organization externally, and to interact with the other Board members for the successful operation of the organization.
Nominees for this position should ideally have experience on the Union's Board of Directors, a strong understanding of the American rugby landscape (including relationships with other unions), and experience in leadership with a multi-faceted nonprofit organization. Experience with nonprofit (particularly rugby union) governance is strongly preferred. The President should also have a deep understanding of the organization and its history through tenured membership.
VICE PRESIDENT - OPERATIONS ("Vice-President")
Current Vice-President - Operations: Vacant - duties being performed by Erik Geib until otherwise filled
From the Bylaws: "The Vice President is the President’s deputy and assists the President in his/her duties and carries out such additional duties, as the President shall assign to the Vice President. The Vice President shall succeed the President in the event of his/her death, incapacity, resignation or removal from office."
The Vice President is the primary operations role for the union and is expected to liaise with the Executive Directors to the extent they plausibly request or require.
Nominees for this position should ideally have experience as Executive Directors or Division Directors either within the Union or within another Union in the United States. Experience with competition management, stakeholder management, and nonprofit management are preferred.
VICE-PRESIDENT - COMMUNICATIONS ("Secretary")
Current Vice-President - Communications: Vacant - duties being performed by Erik Geib until otherwise filled
From the Bylaws: "The Vice-President - Communications ("Secretary") shall compile, maintain and publish the Union membership directory with the assistance of the Executive Directors and Division Directors. He/she shall correspond with other unions to mutual advantage.
The Secretary shall counsel the Union and its committees on rules and procedure and ensure that these are followed.
The Secretary shall prepare the agenda for Union and Executive Committee meetings (although the President may elect to have another Officer, including the President, to do so from time to time), keep the minutes of meetings, and publish them.
The Secretary shall maintain the records of the Union, and give these records to his/her successor in good order.
The Secretary shall maintain and publish these By-Laws and will execute internal and external Union correspondence as directed by the Executive Committee.
The Secretary shall maintain the Union’s match schedule and may designate persons to assist him/her in this regard."
The Secretary is also responsible for oversight of the Webmaster, the Communications Director, and ensuring all Union platforms are current and up to date to the extent reasonably possible.
Nominees for this position should ideally be expert communicators and have experience editing websites, posting on social media, emailing communications, maintaining records. An understanding of union governance is preferred but not required.
AT-LARGE DIRECTOR
Current At-Large Director: Bob Lesnansky
From the Bylaws: "The At-Large Director is a member of the union elected to the Board to represent a wide swath of union interests. The At-Large Director shall direct special projects as assigned and represent the union broadly."
The At-Large Director is a role primarily designed for someone with a wide range of experience in operations covered by the union, or for someone who fulfills a unique niche not well captured by other roles. Nominees for this position are ideally expected to be 'old boys / old girls' or members with impressive, unique, and substantive experience related to a niche area of rugby.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR-REFEREES
Current Executive Director - Referees: Vacant - RMRRS abdicated its role on the Board
From the Bylaws: "The Executive Director-Referees represents the interest of the Referees Society on the Executive Committee."
OTHER ROLES
NATIONAL SENIOR CLUB COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE
Current Senior Club Council Representative: Erik Geib, as Union President
By default, this role is handled by the Union President per the Senior Club Council's Terms of Reference. This role requires attendance at all Senior Club Council meetings (minimum 13 annually; there were over 50 in 2020-2021).
TREASURER
Current Treasurer: Multiple* - duties being performed by Bob Lesnansky, Erik Geib, Rich Cortez, Tim Jones, and Steve Swartz
From the Bylaws: "All checks must be signed by the President or the Treasurer (provided, however, the Secretary shall be additional signatory on Union accounts in the event of the unavailability of the Treasurer)."
"The Treasurer shall be appointed by the board and shall collect, account for, and administer the funds of the Union. The Treasurer shall maintain the financial records of the Union, and give these records to his/her successor in good order. The President shall be responsible for ensuring the Treasurer has an accurate accounting of all revenue and expenses."
"The Treasurer shall be responsible for accounting to the members for all the funds received and expended by the Union."
"The Treasurer, with the approval of a majority of the Executive Committee and subject to the review of the members, may invest the funds of the Union in accordance with Union By-Laws and objectives."
The Treasurer is ultimately responsible for the proper representation of the organization's finances, including all required filings with the government.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
Current Executive Directors: See RMR Executive Contacts
From the Bylaws: "(i) coordinate the competition of such Group, (ii) foster the interests of clubs within the Group, and (iii) represent the Group as a whole to the Executive Committee. The Executive Director of the Group chairs any meetings of the Group. Each Executive Director is subject to removal from office in the same manner as an Officer. Executive Directors who resign, die, or are otherwise removed shall be replaced by a majority vote of the Group’s “Division Directors” (as hereinafter defined)."
Within RMR's operations, Executive Directors at the senior club level are responsible for the construction, oversight, and management of their Group's budget class after being granted direct funding or percentage of dues approval by the Board (typically 80% of dues collected within the Group). This guidance primarily applies to the senior club level, as college budgets are managed more at the division level.
DIVISION DIRECTORS
Current Division Directors: See RMR Executive Contacts
From the Bylaws: "may represent the Division in competition committee meetings and work with the Executive Director for the proper administration of his/her Group. A Division Director may also chair any meetings of the Division at the discretion of his/her Executive Director. Each Division Director shall be elected if a simple majority of the clubs of that USAR Division in attendance vote for her at the Annual General Meeting. Each Division Director is subject to removal from office in the same manner as an Officer. Division Directors who resign, die, or are otherwise removed shall be replaced by a majority vote of the Division’s members."
Within RMR's operations, Division Directors at the college level are responsible for the construction, oversight, and management of their Group's budget class after being granted direct funding or percentage of dues approval by the Board (typically 80% of dues collected within the Group). This guidance primarily applies to the college level, as senior club budgets are managed more at the executive director level.
CHAIR OF THE BOARD
Current Chair: Rich Cortez
From the Bylaws: "The Chair of the Board shall preside over all Union and Executive Committee meetings and is responsible for the development of the union’s officers. The chair shall be annually elected from existing officers who have served the previous year in order to preserve and pass knowledge of the union’s operations. In the event of a tie during union voting matters, the Chair shall cast the deciding vote."
The Chair is also one of two roles (along with the President) primarily responsible for being the primary signature on "all deeds, documents, transfers, contracts, engagements, bonds, bills of exchange and other instruments" and one of two roles (also along with the President) who may authorize amounts over $1,000.
Nominees for this position are required to have served on the Board the previous cycle of operations, and should ideally have extensive leadership qualities and experience managing meetings and records of tenured nonprofit organizations.
PRESIDENT
Current President: Erik Geib
From the Bylaws: "The President shall organize and lead Union and Executive Committee meetings, and administer the activities of the other officers and committees of the Union. He/she shall encourage membership in the Union, and with the help of the members shall determine the Union objectives and work toward their achievement."
Per USA Rugby's 2020 restructure the President is also the union's representative to the Senior Club Council unless another Board member is elected by the Board. The President may also set the agenda for meetings in place of the Secretary, is responsible for nominating the Chair of the Disciplinary Committee and the Union's Appeals Officer, and is the party responsible for accepting Board resignations.
The President is also one of two roles (along with the Chair) primarily responsible for being the primary signature on "all deeds, documents, transfers, contracts, engagements, bonds, bills of exchange and other instruments. and one of two roles (also along with the Chair) who may authorize amounts over $1,000. The President is also one of two roles (along with the Treasurer) responsible for writing checks, and works with the Chair, Treasurer, and Executive Directors to construct the annual budget.
The President's primary duties are to the Board, to represent the organization externally, and to interact with the other Board members for the successful operation of the organization.
Nominees for this position should ideally have experience on the Union's Board of Directors, a strong understanding of the American rugby landscape (including relationships with other unions), and experience in leadership with a multi-faceted nonprofit organization. Experience with nonprofit (particularly rugby union) governance is strongly preferred. The President should also have a deep understanding of the organization and its history through tenured membership.
VICE PRESIDENT - OPERATIONS ("Vice-President")
Current Vice-President - Operations: Vacant - duties being performed by Erik Geib until otherwise filled
From the Bylaws: "The Vice President is the President’s deputy and assists the President in his/her duties and carries out such additional duties, as the President shall assign to the Vice President. The Vice President shall succeed the President in the event of his/her death, incapacity, resignation or removal from office."
The Vice President is the primary operations role for the union and is expected to liaise with the Executive Directors to the extent they plausibly request or require.
Nominees for this position should ideally have experience as Executive Directors or Division Directors either within the Union or within another Union in the United States. Experience with competition management, stakeholder management, and nonprofit management are preferred.
VICE-PRESIDENT - COMMUNICATIONS ("Secretary")
Current Vice-President - Communications: Vacant - duties being performed by Erik Geib until otherwise filled
From the Bylaws: "The Vice-President - Communications ("Secretary") shall compile, maintain and publish the Union membership directory with the assistance of the Executive Directors and Division Directors. He/she shall correspond with other unions to mutual advantage.
The Secretary shall counsel the Union and its committees on rules and procedure and ensure that these are followed.
The Secretary shall prepare the agenda for Union and Executive Committee meetings (although the President may elect to have another Officer, including the President, to do so from time to time), keep the minutes of meetings, and publish them.
The Secretary shall maintain the records of the Union, and give these records to his/her successor in good order.
The Secretary shall maintain and publish these By-Laws and will execute internal and external Union correspondence as directed by the Executive Committee.
The Secretary shall maintain the Union’s match schedule and may designate persons to assist him/her in this regard."
The Secretary is also responsible for oversight of the Webmaster, the Communications Director, and ensuring all Union platforms are current and up to date to the extent reasonably possible.
Nominees for this position should ideally be expert communicators and have experience editing websites, posting on social media, emailing communications, maintaining records. An understanding of union governance is preferred but not required.
AT-LARGE DIRECTOR
Current At-Large Director: Bob Lesnansky
From the Bylaws: "The At-Large Director is a member of the union elected to the Board to represent a wide swath of union interests. The At-Large Director shall direct special projects as assigned and represent the union broadly."
The At-Large Director is a role primarily designed for someone with a wide range of experience in operations covered by the union, or for someone who fulfills a unique niche not well captured by other roles. Nominees for this position are ideally expected to be 'old boys / old girls' or members with impressive, unique, and substantive experience related to a niche area of rugby.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR-REFEREES
Current Executive Director - Referees: Vacant - RMRRS abdicated its role on the Board
From the Bylaws: "The Executive Director-Referees represents the interest of the Referees Society on the Executive Committee."
OTHER ROLES
NATIONAL SENIOR CLUB COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE
Current Senior Club Council Representative: Erik Geib, as Union President
By default, this role is handled by the Union President per the Senior Club Council's Terms of Reference. This role requires attendance at all Senior Club Council meetings (minimum 13 annually; there were over 50 in 2020-2021).
TREASURER
Current Treasurer: Multiple* - duties being performed by Bob Lesnansky, Erik Geib, Rich Cortez, Tim Jones, and Steve Swartz
From the Bylaws: "All checks must be signed by the President or the Treasurer (provided, however, the Secretary shall be additional signatory on Union accounts in the event of the unavailability of the Treasurer)."
"The Treasurer shall be appointed by the board and shall collect, account for, and administer the funds of the Union. The Treasurer shall maintain the financial records of the Union, and give these records to his/her successor in good order. The President shall be responsible for ensuring the Treasurer has an accurate accounting of all revenue and expenses."
"The Treasurer shall be responsible for accounting to the members for all the funds received and expended by the Union."
"The Treasurer, with the approval of a majority of the Executive Committee and subject to the review of the members, may invest the funds of the Union in accordance with Union By-Laws and objectives."
The Treasurer is ultimately responsible for the proper representation of the organization's finances, including all required filings with the government.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
Current Executive Directors: See RMR Executive Contacts
From the Bylaws: "(i) coordinate the competition of such Group, (ii) foster the interests of clubs within the Group, and (iii) represent the Group as a whole to the Executive Committee. The Executive Director of the Group chairs any meetings of the Group. Each Executive Director is subject to removal from office in the same manner as an Officer. Executive Directors who resign, die, or are otherwise removed shall be replaced by a majority vote of the Group’s “Division Directors” (as hereinafter defined)."
Within RMR's operations, Executive Directors at the senior club level are responsible for the construction, oversight, and management of their Group's budget class after being granted direct funding or percentage of dues approval by the Board (typically 80% of dues collected within the Group). This guidance primarily applies to the senior club level, as college budgets are managed more at the division level.
DIVISION DIRECTORS
Current Division Directors: See RMR Executive Contacts
From the Bylaws: "may represent the Division in competition committee meetings and work with the Executive Director for the proper administration of his/her Group. A Division Director may also chair any meetings of the Division at the discretion of his/her Executive Director. Each Division Director shall be elected if a simple majority of the clubs of that USAR Division in attendance vote for her at the Annual General Meeting. Each Division Director is subject to removal from office in the same manner as an Officer. Division Directors who resign, die, or are otherwise removed shall be replaced by a majority vote of the Division’s members."
Within RMR's operations, Division Directors at the college level are responsible for the construction, oversight, and management of their Group's budget class after being granted direct funding or percentage of dues approval by the Board (typically 80% of dues collected within the Group). This guidance primarily applies to the college level, as senior club budgets are managed more at the executive director level.
