About

Council State Representatives

Position Description
State Representative

Purpose

A State Representative provides the essential link that unites local and national efforts into effective advocacy for passenger trains and transit. A Representative represents local needs, issues and activities at the national level; helps formulate national policies through participation in Associations committees; and implements these policies by working at the grass roots level. A Representative plays a key role in helping the Association accomplish its mission.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate is a results-oriented self-starter with a strong dedication to accomplishing the mission of the Association. He or she should have the time and financial resources needed to participate in Association activities. Leadership, communication, networking skills and interest in the political process are highly desirable. Familiarity with rail and transit issues is also a plus.

A Representative must be a member in good standing (having paid Association dues for at least one year); be a legal resident & registered voter of the state they are seeking to represent and be at least 18-years of age.

Responsibilities

Elects the Representatives at Large, Officers and Directors of the Association
Reviews Association policies and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors
Participates on at least one Association committee
Communicates with NARP members in Representative’s area; understands their issues
Learns about legislators at both the state and federal levels in his or her State; knows their issues and voting records; becomes familiar with their staffs; where needed, organizes targeted programs to educate them about our issues
Becomes more effective by networking with
a. Other Representatives
b. Local and state officials
c. Business, community and educational organizations and leaders
d. Other advocacy organizations
e. The media
Identifies and recruits talented people to participate in Association activities, committees and leadership positions including Elected State Representative
Provides regular reports of activities and accomplishments to his or her Division Leader and, where applicable, to his or her state’s Representative Coordinator
Maintains proper decorum at all times when representing the Association in public
Avoids conflicts of interest
Provides financial support to the Association by
a. Being a fully paid member in good standing of the Association and, if able, moving to a higher level of support
b. Assuming the personal expenses and time incurred in attending Council of Representatives and local membership meetings
c. Recruiting new members
d. Assisting in the fund raising and endowment enrichment activities to ensure that the Association’s resources are adequate far into the future
e. If able, making contributions directly to the Association to help fund mission critical activities

Revised by the NARP Board of Directors on June 21, 2012.

"The National Association of Railroad Passengers has done yeoman work over the years and in fact if it weren’t for NARP, I'd be surprised if Amtrak were still in possession of as a large a network as they have. So they've done good work, they're very good on the factual case."