Now Accepting Board Nominations!

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Thanks to the efforts of countless volunteers who blazed the trail for AAF Buffalo over the years, we have an active organization that is as healthy as ever. Each spring we encounter bittersweet moments as board terms end and present the opportunity for new leaders to steward the organization to exciting new frontiers.

What makes this year unique is a thoughtful restructuring of our board of directors. Our leadership team has worked hard to create defined roles that reflect the evolving needs of the club. Every board member now serves with a clear purpose, helping guide the organization more strategically and effectively.

Starting May 2025, we’re opening the opportunity to join the AAF Buffalo board of directors. If you are passionate about uniting our industry, fostering professional growth, and giving back to the community, we want to hear from you.

Board service is a rewarding way to grow professionally, expand your network, and make a meaningful impact on the creative community in Buffalo. Whether you’re a seasoned member or looking to get involved for the first time, we encourage you to consider applying. 

Explore our open roles below and submit your application to be part of the next chapter in AAF Buffalo’s story. You may submit a nomination for yourself or on behalf of someone you think may make a great candidate for the board (you should probably check with them first before filling out the form).

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What Roles are Open?

Copy Chair

You love telling a visual story, and there’s no breezing over your stellar work. Your attention to detail and exceptional creativity are perfect for this position.

What to expect:

• Assist with copy for all events including promotional materials, social media efforts and event recap blogs.
• Proofread all outgoing documents.

Education Chair

You understand the importance of building connections. Your passion for finding opportunities for others makes you perfect for this role.

What to expect:

• Identify the educational needs of club members and collaborate with local educational institutions.
• Work closely with Programming VP and Event Chairs to ideate and execute event opportunities for students.
• Collaborate with the Student Liaison(s) to gather relevant feedback on event offerings.

Events Chair

You’re the go-to planner with a list, spreadsheet and budget at the ready for events big and small. You work quickly while understanding the importance of every fine detail—we love that.

What to expect:

• Find venues, develop budgets, contact vendors and oversee the execution of club events.
• Ensure records of each event are documented with descriptions, revenue and attendance.
• Work alongside other Events Chairs and VP of Programming to ideate event ideas.

Finance Chair

You’re a numbers person. You know all the secrets to staying on budget and making the most of every dollar, making you the perfect person to keep us on track.

What to expect:

• Manage event ticketing and registration through Eventbrite.
• Assist in managing the club’s budget for all initiatives, tracking income and expenses and processing invoices and payments.
• Prepare financial reports for the Board of Directors.

Awards Chair

You know the biggest night in Buffalo advertising like the back of your hand. From the conceptual phase to planning and execution, we need someone like you to make AAAs night shine.

What to expect:

• Develop and manage the overall awards timeline.
• Work closely with the agency host(s) to coordinate creative direction and execution of the AAAs.
• Manage show night logistics including preview night or gallery hour and assign a team to procure appropriate thank-you gifts to show judges.

Student Liaisons

Ready to dip your toes into the professional ad world? This hands-on role gives students like you a chance to make local connections and lend a student perspective to AAF Buffalo.

What to expect:

• Attend monthly, in-person meetings at various Buffalo agencies.
• Attend monthly events, helping to plan and give feedback when necessary.
• Create promotional materials for events and promote AAF Buffalo to your college or university

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What’s Expected of Board Members?

AAF Buffalo Board Members are required to be active participants, preferably whose contributions will exceed the minimum expectations listed below. As we seek nominations, here are a few things you’ll want to consider:

• Attend monthly board meetings: This is the one time each month the whole board can collaborate, brainstorm about club initiatives. Missing board meetings not only puts you at a disadvantage, it also places additional burden on fellow board members, so plan on being there! Our typical schedule has board meetings being held on the second or third Tuesday of each month.
• Attend club events: Our active club schedule has something going on essentially every month, but not usually more than 1-2 events. We expect every effort to be made to attend these events, especially if you are part of the committee organizing the event. (added incentive: typically there is a happy hour component to each event)
• Advocate for AAF Buffalo: Spread the word of the work we do. Share the benefits of being a member, promote club events, uphold the club mission, help make Buffalo better.
• American Advertising Awards: The AAAs requires a small army to plan and execute. Even if you’re not an AAA chair or even part of the committee, you will be asked to chip in with some component of the planning. So be ready to help, and definitely be in attendance.
• Act on the Responsibilities and Requests Given to You: This can be as simple as replying to an email or as involved as planning an event or campaign. But most importantly, the organization needs you to be reliable and responsive.

All of this may sound overwhelming but we promise, everyone survives and it’s a great opportunity! If you fulfill your end of the bargain, your experience as a board member will be very rewarding. You’ll build great friendships and professional contacts, expand your knowledge of the industry, and gain invaluable leadership experience by running an active nonprofit board.