The PaymentsEd Forum Board of Directors is an all volunteer board comprised of two types of members: voting CNP merchant members and non-voting Advisors made up of representatives from key acquirers, card companies and service providers. The Board’s role is to manage and develop the organization and to plan and coordinate the annual Forum. This requires active participation in board meetings and during the annual PaymentsEd Forum in August, as well as various assignments during the course of the year which may require that the Board member devote several additional hours per month.
The PaymentsEd Forum is a not for profit organization and is wholly funded by annual membership/conference registration fees and sponsorship revenue received from Advisory Board Member companies. There is no financial sponsorship obligation for Merchant Board members.
The Merchant Board has voting rights and four Executive Board positions; Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary. The remaining Merchant Board members work on various functions, such as Education, Membership and Marketing to help run the organization
The Advisory Board has no voting privileges but functions as a knowledge base, serving as the pulse of the CNP industry, providing guidance and access to industry experts while also helping in Education, Membership and Marketing functions.
Benefits of Serving on the Board
Participation provides board members high level interaction and relationship building with merchants, acquirers, card companies, and service providers who influence the direction of the industry, the scope of the and the content of the annual Forum. Board companies and their representatives enjoy high visibility as representatives of the PaymentsEd Forum in all meetings, communications, promotional materials, and the web site. PaymentsEd Forum Board member companies have the flexibility to appoint and change their company representative for board meeting participation with approval of the PaymentsEd Forum Merchant Board.
Board Members are able to influence payment not present processing protocol and strengthen merchant education in this targeted market segment. Helping members follow the rules, remain in good standing with their processors, lower fraud and chargebacks, etc. results in reduced potential costs, penalties and fines across all merchants in the industry.
In return for serving on the board, the PaymentsEd Forum provides board members with complimentary conference attendance.. At official board meetings, the PaymentsEd Forum provides complimentary hotel rooms for attending merchant board members for the nights of the scheduled board meetings (excluding the Forum itself). Advisory board members pay for their own hotel accommodations. All board members are provided meals as outlined in each agenda. Board members (their respective companies) are responsible for their travel to and from the meeting and any other incidental expenses.
The PaymentsEd Forum benefits from board member participation through their extensive knowledge and expertise in the industry, their contacts and their participation in planning and executing the tasks required for the annual Forum.
Eligibility Requirements
Potential board members must first meet the eligibility requirements in the PaymentsEd Forum for either merchant or non-merchant membership and be in good standing in the industry. Merchant Board members serve a three year term and must be able to provide at least eight (8) hours per month towards PaymentsEd Forum activities and projects.
Merchant Board members are elected to a three year term by a majority vote of the PaymentsEd Forum Merchant Membership base at the annual Forum to fill open Board positions. Given the time and travel obligations stated above, merchant board members should obtain the support of their management before making any commitment. Merchant Board members may serve up to three consecutive three year terms (9 years total). At least 12 months must elapse before they are considered eligible for re-election.
Merchant Board members must sign a Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement regarding the care of confidential PaymentsEd Forum information.
Advisory Board Members receive a full range of additional benefits listed here. Advisors applications are reviewed and appointed by the PaymentsEd Forum Merchant Board.
If you would like to join the Merchant or Advisory Board of Directors, please complete the following application and send it to info@paymentsed.org or contact us for more information.