Membership
What is the cost of membership?
Why does the association collect membership dues?
Who can be a member?
What are the benefits of membership?
Mission
What will the association do?
Is the association part of the SBA?
Events/activities
How do I get involved?
How do I request an event or an activity?
May I participate in the Employee Rec Association events if I’m not a
member?
SBA merchandise
Where do I get SBA-branded merchandise?
May an SBA office purchase merchandise from the association’s online store with appropriated funds?
Board of directors
Do I get to vote for the association’s board of directors?
Who may be a board member?
Who runs the association? Who should I address questions to?
How do board elections work?
Are there any restrictions on board membership?
What is the cost of membership?
For the last five months of 2017, the membership fee is $10. Beginning in 2018, annual membership will be $25. No matter the time of year, new members pay the full amount and the membership will expire on Dec. 31. Membership is nontransferable and nonrefundable. NOTE: Membership has been free during 2019 and 2020 calendar years.
Why does the association collect membership dues?
Membership fees are put toward overhead (such as, membership cards and website hosting) and event costs, supporting the association’s mission of organizing high quality activities for employees and associates.
SBA employees (including part-time and seasonal) in the Washington, DC metropolitan area may join the association. Retired SBA employees in the area may join under alumni (non-voting) status.
What are the benefits of membership?
Discounts: Members will receive a discounted price to participate in all events and activities hosted by the association. For example, a member might pay $10 to participate in an event when a non-member would pay $15. Members can also receive discounts on theme parks, sporting events, movie and theater tickets, local entertainment venues, and home services that are found on the Membership section of our website.
Enhanced relationships: In addition to onsite events, many association events will provide opportunities for SBA employees to visit with their coworkers outside of work hours, such as Hump Day Happy Hours and group sporting events.
Support the local small business community: In keeping with the SBA’s mission, the association strives to buy from and support local vendors. We will also encourage participation in DC-area events.
Voting rights: Only members of the Employee Rec Association can vote in the annual elections.
The Employee Rec Association is a vehicle to:
- help build a stronger SBA community in the DC-metro area.
- promote Agency pride via the sale of SBA-branded merchandise.
The association will host events, both at SBA headquarters and offsite, and manage an online store. Members will drive the association’s calendar of events, but to start off, the board has planned several initial activities, such as the annual holiday party, a summer picnic, seasonal vendor events featuring local small businesses, and Concerts on the Concourse, a series of quarterly lunchtime events featuring live music.
Is the association part of the SBA?
No, the association is separate from the SBA and operates as a 501(c)(4) corporation within the District of Columbia. The association is recognized as an independent, voluntary cooperative recreation association by the SBA. Recognition does not confer SBA sponsorship or endorsement of the organization or its activities.
How do I get involved?
We will have a number of events and activities throughout the year so we welcome participation. If you’re interested in organizing an event or participating on a coordinating team, please contact the association manager at [email protected].
How do I request an event or an activity?
Submit your idea through a board member or email [email protected]. Be sure to tell us in your email how many people you think would be interested in your event or activity, when and where it could meet, and the expected cost.
May I participate in the Association events if I’m not a member?
Yes, if you’re a non-member SBA employee or a retiree you may participate in an event; however, if there is a fee, you will pay the full ticket price.
Where do I get SBA-branded merchandise?
Go to the online store to purchase SBA polo shirts, ball caps, travel mugs, and lapel pins. We will be expanding our merchandise following completion of the Agency rebranding initiative.
May an SBA office purchase merchandise from the association’s online store with appropriated funds?
Only personal funds may be used to purchase SBA-branded merchandise. In general, the SBA is restricted from using its appropriated funds to purchase promotional items or items of a personal nature.
Do I get to vote for the association’s board of directors?
Yes, only Employee Rec Association members can vote in the annual elections. According to the association’s bylaws, when the inaugural board was formed, members assumed staggered terms of office. The first election (to replace current members that will be rotating off of the board) will take place in December 2018. Alumni members (SBA retirees) may only be elected to the board as ex officio, members who do not have a vote on the board.
Who may be a board member?
Active members of the association may be elected to serve on the board of directors. Alumni (SBA retirees) may also be elected to the board as ex officio (board members without voting rights).
Who runs the association? Who should I address questions to?
The association is run by a seven member board of directors.
Elias Hernandez, President
Paula Tavares, Vice President
Joseph Loddo, Treasurer
Dierdre Williams, Co-Secretary
Diane Wright, Co-Secretary
Eric Benderson
Eugene Cornelius, Jr.
Direct questions to [email protected].
How do board elections work?
Board members serve three-year terms, but the initial board members will serve staggered terms to ensure continuity of leadership. The initial board of director terms are as follows: president and secretary, two years; vice-president and treasurer, three years. Board members who are not officers will serve a three-year term and will be nominated and voted on the same way as the board members who are officers.
Members will nominate candidates for the board of directions in November of a board election year. The election of officers will take place at the December annual meeting. The first elections will be held in December 2018.
Are there any restrictions on board membership?
You must be an SBA employee or retiree to be elected to the board. We encourage all SBA employees to get involved with the association in order to be nominated for future posts.