Issaquah PTSA Council 2.6

Nominating Committee

Step one: Selecting the Nominating Committee

Who can serve as a member of a Nominating Committee?

Must be a member of that Local Unit
Can not serve two consecutive years
President may not serve as ex-officio member of this committee

Why the last two qualifications?

Always imperative that the perception of control does not exist.
The process of electing officers must be transparent.
The president should never be implicated in picking the slate of successors or choosing themselves.
If a person was to serve for two years in a row they would be in essence controlling the PTA.
Perception becomes reality once it is perceived, whether true or not.

What are the characteristics of Nominating Committee members?

Knowledge of PTA goals
Familiar with office qualifications for offices they are attempting to fill
Tact, integrity, discretion, sound judgment
Hold one’s own counsel (stand up for what they believe)
Confidentiality

Election of Nominating Committee

Committee must be elected at a General Membership meeting with at least 15 days prior notice of agenda item
Committee must be elected at least 30 days prior to the election of the officers
At least three members with up to five members
Written ballot if there are more names than committee spaces
Majority votes is chair of committee if written ballot conducted

Step two: Work of the Nominating Committee

Meetings

After the election the Nominating Committee should set a time and place for an initial meeting. This allows the committee to review information, identify any information that may be missing and establish communication pathways.
The committee may choose to conduct much of their business through email or phone after their initial meeting.
They should attend the general membership meeting where the officers will be elected to give their report.
Members should feel comfortable talking candidly about candidates knowing the confidentiality between all committee members.

Notes

All notes and emails must be destroyed after they finalize their slate of nominees for the Executive Committee

Information the Board of Directors should pass on

Timeline – back out deadlines, give the committee the election date, the slate must be posted for at least 15 days prior to the election, and keep in mind newsletter dates if you are planning on posting the slate there or asking for nominations.
Job Descriptions – the committee should have an overview of the requirements of all elected positions including the time commitment necessary.
Potential nominees – the Board should pass along names of potential interested parties however, the nominating committee is not required to select any of these names. In addition, any member of the Board should let the committee know if they are interested in returning but again the nominating committee is not obligated to put a name on the slate for reelection.
Nominating Committee handbook
Dates of nominating committee training

Selection of slate of officers

Major role and responsibility is to nominate the best qualified candidate.
Think about what events or issues will be in play next year for your local unit. Depending on the issues it may be in the best interest of the unit to have leaders with different talents than might be needed in a subsequent year. For example, new administration, new school program, etc. may require different type of leadership.
A member of the nominating committee may be selected as a potential officer to include on the slate.
If a candidate can not be found to fill a position then the nominating committee can leave it blank and it can be filled in the future. Better to find the best candidate than to fill a position with someone not completely invested in the job.

Step three: Election

A written and signed report of the Nominating Committee must be submitted to the PTA unit membership at least fifteen (15) days prior to the election
The written report of the nominees should be signed by all the Nominating Committee members.
The report is read to the PTA membership, by the Nominating Committee chair, just prior to the election. After the report is read, additional nominations may be made from the floor of the meeting by any PTA member. The Nominating Committee is automatically discharged when its report is presented to the membership.
Sample nominating committee report:

Nominating Committee Report

The __________ (insert year) _______________________________ (insert local unit name) Nominating Committee places the following names in nomination:

For Office of _______________ (insert office); __________________ (insert nominee)

Respectfully Submitted,

____________________________ Signature of Nominating Committee Member

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Last Updated: January 16, 2009.