Updated 11/29/2025

Introduction

Direct Collective, a DBA of Talent Simplified, LLC, invites you to serve on the Direct Collective Advisory Board (“Advisory Board”). The Advisory Board exists to provide strategic guidance and help shape the direction of the community.

Roles & Responsibilities

Strategic Participation

Advisory Board Members participate in virtual sessions every seven weeks (typically eight per year). These sessions focus on community strategy, growth, insights, and priority areas for contingent workforce leaders.

Active Contribution to Ideas and Insights

Board Members offer input, share perspectives, and participate in feedback loops on new initiatives, pulse themes, content direction, tools, and the overall member experience.

Ambassador Role

Board Members serve as ambassadors of Direct Collective’s values—supportive, collaborative, and grounded in peer connection. This role reflects how they show up in conversations, in the community, and in the broader industry.

Responsiveness

Board Members make reasonable efforts to respond to Advisory Board communications, surveys, and strategic questions in a timely manner.

Scope of Service

Board Members provide guidance and thought leadership. They do not perform operational or administrative duties for Direct Collective.

Term of Engagement

The term covers the calendar year with an option to renew by mutual agreement.

If a Board Member transitions into a role where they no longer oversee contingent labor for an organization, their Board role will end unless an exception is granted per the Addendum below.

Compensation & Expenses

Direct Collective covers reasonable travel and lodging for in-person Advisory Board meetings if and when they occur. No additional compensation is provided.

Confidentiality & Safe-Space Standard

Advisory Board discussions are confidential.
Board Members uphold Direct Collective’s safe-space environment, protecting member trust and the candid nature of conversations.

Intellectual Property

Any ideas, frameworks, or outputs shared or developed during Advisory Board participation may be used by Direct Collective commercially and operationally.
Board Members retain the right to use their own independent thinking in their roles, but Direct Collective has full permission to use and evolve any concepts contributed through Advisory Board collaboration.

Neutrality

Serving as an Advisory Board Member does not imply endorsement of any product, service, employer, or partner.
Board Members do not position themselves or their companies as preferred solutions through their Advisory Board role.

Non-Commercial Conduct

Board Members do not use Advisory Board participation for sales, prospecting, or business development—direct or indirect.

Meeting Expectations & Inactivity Clause

If a Board Member misses more than two consecutive sessions without reasonable cause, Direct Collective may revisit their Board seat and determine whether replacement is needed.

Communication & Schedule

The Advisory Board meets every seven weeks. Additional communication may occur between sessions through agreed-upon channels.

Termination

Either party may terminate this agreement with written notice. Upon termination, the Board Member discontinues all Advisory Board participation.

Governing Law

This agreement is governed by Florida state law.

Addendum: Provider/Vendor Role Transition

Effective 04/29/2025

If a Board Member transitions into a role outside of leading a contingent workforce program—such as joining a solution provider—Direct Collective may allow the Board Member to remain on the Advisory Board through the end of the current term.

Restricted Community Access

If such an exception is granted:

The Board Member’s access to the broader Direct Collective community will be paused, including:

• Member Vault

• Member Match

• Peer Talks, Member Talks, roundtables

• Member-exclusive events and forums

• Local chapter and networking activities

The Board Member will retain access solely for Advisory Board meetings and related strategic discussions.

Non-Commercial Requirement

The Board Member may not leverage relationships, conversations, or visibility inside Direct Collective for sales, marketing, or commercial gain.

Term Completion

This exception applies only for the current term. Future eligibility requires a new agreement.

No Precedent

This exception is discretionary and does not establish precedent for future Advisory Board members.

Dustin Talley
CEO / Community Manager
Direct Collective