SOA - Society of Actuaries

PD Committee Job Descriptions

Professional Development Committee (PDC) Board Partner/PDC Chair
Job Description

Position Summary: The Board Partner serves as Chair of the Professional Development Committee and facilitates the connection between the Committee and the Board of Directors. To be able to identify strategic connections when they arise, the Partner also has a responsibility to maintain a knowledge base about the PD Redesign Plan approved by the Board of Directors as well as the Competency Framework for Actuaries.

General Responsibilities

The PDC is charged with ensuring that the SOA's Professional Development program meets the diverse development needs of the profession and provides the highest quality learning experiences. The PDC ensures that the program is focused on both current and forward–looking technical and non-technical content, making appropriate use of instructional technologies to assure timeliness of, and broad access to, relevant and engaging programming.

The Board Partner and Staff Partner work with PDC to align the efforts of the PDC with the PD Redesign Plan, the Competency Framework for Actuaries and the overall mission and goals of the SOA.

The Board Partner is also the key communications link between the Committee and Board. Other links may be other volunteers such as members of Strategic Teams (Cultivate Opportunities, Transfer Knowledge, Develop Knowledge) or Issues Advisory Council (IAC), and SOA Staff

The Board Partner will take an active role in most PDC activities. The activities of the PDC include both face-to-face meetings as well as regularly scheduled conference calls.

Specific Responsibilities

Stewardship

Participate in developing the annual plan of work for the PDC. The annual plan of work will be based upon the PD Redesign Plan as approved by the Board of Directors at its October 25, 2009 meeting.

What does this mean?
The PDC is will evaluate the proposed annual schedule of PD offerings. It will identify gaps in the schedule in relation to the Competency Framework for Actuaries. It will recommend options for programming to provide a comprehensive, progressive curriculum. Delivery mechanisms will also be evaluated to provide the wide access to the highest quality content.
Board Partner role
Optimally, the Board Partner is a participant and advisor in these planning meetings and can provide insight to Committee of what is deemed important to the SOA.

Review all Committee call/meeting agendas and participate in those meetings.

What does this mean?
It is expected that conference calls will occur bi-monthly. At least one face-to-face meeting will be held each year. It is anticipated that this meeting will be 4-6 hours in length. The Board Partner may have independently scheduled (or informal) calls with the Staff Partner. While staff can arrange calls, the Board Partner has (the most) discretion on the level of the relationship with the Chair and Staff Partner.

Review the PDC report prior to its inclusion in the Board packet. Be able to address questions that arise as part of the Consent Agenda.

What does this mean?
Prior to the Board meeting, the PDC report will be prepared for the Consent Agenda for the Board packet. It is a consolidated report of accomplishments and upcoming activities of the Committee. The Board Partner should generally be able to answer questions about any accomplishments or activities that are listed. At a Board meeting, the Board Partner may be the "resident expert" on the activity of the PDC. The Board Partner should be able to identify how the PDC activities align with the SOA strategies and reasons for any exceptions (rare).

Provide the PDC with insight or clarification of information following Board meetings.

What does this mean?
Typically the activities of the Board are communicated to non-Board members via press releases. A press release is generally a high–level summary and may not include details that would be helpful to the PDC.
Board Partner role
It is an important function of the Board Partner to provide strategic/mega issue information to the PDC. That said, not all Board issues may be relevant or appropriate for the Board Partner to share. Both the Board Partner and Staff have responsibility to help "connect the dots" for members of the PDC.

Connect to Strategy

The Board Partner should be able to help the Committee determine whether an issue is appropriate and/or how best to frame it for submission to the IAC (Issues Advisory Council) through the Important Issues Process. Note: This process will be revised in 2010.

What does this mean?
The SOA has a Strategic Management System comprised of people and processes (as opposed to being a computer system). Any person can submit an issue to the IAC.
Board Partner role
The Board Partner does not have to be an expert in SOA processes. Staff will provide information such as how to submit an issue to the Strategic Management System. Should the Committee begin discussing an issue to submit, the Board Partner can act in an advisory capacity during the development process.

Communicating with the Board.

Board Partners will work Staff and the Committee on the preparation of the agenda item.

What does this mean?
Items get on the Board Agenda by being submitted to the Leadership Team of the SOA (all 4 presidents and the executive director). Generally, issues for consideration will come as a result of the Strategic Management System process. An idea gets submitted and is considered by the IAC which is a committee of volunteers and Staff. It may be sent back for further development. Then, it may be put on the Board Business Agenda.
Board Partner role
The Board Partner needs to be familiar with these processes but can rely on Staff to be the experts. The Board Partner may act in an advisory capacity in the development of these issues. The Board Partner may participate in the presentation of a section issue to the Board.

External Relations.

Strategic relationships and partnerships are key to the success of the PD Program. The Board Partner may be asked to participate in the vetting of proposed partnerships and in presenting them to the Committee.

What does this mean?
Many Section Councils have semi-autonomous relationships with other professional organizations. The relationship may be with another actuarial organization or another professional organization. Staff Partners should be apprised of any new relationships under consideration.
Board Partner role
The Board Partner may have knowledge of other experiences with a professional organization and, if so, it is appropriate to share these with the Section Council.

Professional Development Committee (PDC) PDC Member Job Description

Position Summary: Members of the PDC include five section representatives, two SOA staff members and two members of the SOA Education Executive Board. Members of the PDC will carry out the functions necessary to accomplish the goals of the committee.

General Responsibilities

The PDC is charged with ensuring that the SOA's Professional Development program meets the diverse development needs of the profession and provides the highest quality learning experiences. The PDC ensures that the program is focused on both current and forward-looking technical and non-technical content, making appropriate use of instructional technologies to assure timeliness of, and broad access to, relevant and engaging programming.

Committee Members will assess, analyze and propose strategies for developing SOA PD programs aligned with the Competency Framework for Actuaries and the overall mission and goals of the SOA. Members also encourage other volunteers to develop and deliver PD programs.

Members take an active role in most PDC activities, including face–to–face meetings, regularly scheduled conference calls and other assignments.

Specific Responsibilities

Attend regularly scheduled face–to–face meetings and conference calls.

What does this mean?
It is anticipated that there will be two face–to–face meetings and up to eight conference calls held each year.

Review the annual PD Plan.

What does this mean?
A complete annual plan of programs will be prepared each year. The annual plan will include both traditional and distance learning programs. The Committee Members will review the plan against the principles of the PD Redesign Plan. This annual plan is subject to revision throughout the year based on ongoing requests.

Assess the annual PD Plan for gaps and make recommendations.

What does this mean?
The annual plan should be comprehensive and meet the diverse needs of the membership. The plan will:

Reflect the Competency Framework for Actuaries,
Provide for the reuse and repurposing of content
Provide a variety of delivery methods.
Align with the pre–credentialing education program

Committee members will assess all aspects of the annual PD Plan and provide recommendations for modifications.

Communicate the annual PD Plan.

What does this mean?
The sections play a vital role the planning, development and delivery of the SOA Professional Development Program. The PD Committee members will be responsible for ensuring that the sections are provided with appropriate communication related to the plan.

Monitor and make recommendations on emerging learning technologies.

What does this mean?
Learning technologies are rapidly changing. Committee members should evaluate and make recommendations for the adoption of new technologies for application to SOA PD Programs.

Establish an ongoing review cycle and participate in the review of content.

What does this mean?
Instructional content must be reviewed in a systematic manner to ensure accuracy and timeline of content. The committee will assist in determining the appropriate review cycle for content and participate as appropriate in reviewing content.

Encourage volunteers to participate in the development and delivery of content.

What does this mean?
Committee members shall serve as ambassadors for SOA PD programs. They should encourage volunteerism for all aspects of SOA's PD Program.


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