Nominations
During the nominations process, we invite you to invest in the future of AFA by assisting the Governance & Nominations Committee in the process of identifying members to serve on the board of directors.
If you are an affiliate, emeritus, professional, or graduate member of AFA, you are able to nominate fellow members to be considered for any position for which they meet the qualifications. If you believe you are the person for the job, you are also permitted to nominate yourself for any position. Nominations can be submitted here, and are due by Monday, May 27.
Per the AFA Bylaws, all active and current professional, graduate, affiliate, or emeritus members are eligible to run for the board of directors.
If you have any questions about the nomination and elections process or the ballot, please contact the AFA Central Office. Please contact Dr. Joshua Schutts, Governance & Nominations Committee chair , with any questions regarding the candidate recruitment, review, and selection process.
Qualifications, Essential Characteristics & Duties of Executive Board Officers for the Nominations & Elections Process
Qualifications/Eligibility
Board of Directors:
- Board members must hold affiliate, emeritus, graduate or professional membership in AFA at the time of nomination/election and maintain throughout their term of office.
- The demand may average 10-15 hours per month.
- It is imperative for board members to have the support of their employer in relation to time that AFA responsibilities may take away from their regular responsibilities.
General Duties/Expectations
The Board of Directors shall perform the following duties:
- Be conversant in the organization’s mission and purpose.
- Support the executive team and provide performance feedback.
- Articulate organizational ends through policy and clear objectives.
- Ensure adequate resources for AFA’s operations.
- Serve as a steward for AFA financial resources.
- Participate in fundraising activities of the AFA Foundation.
- Complete other duties as designated by the AFA president.
Board members are expected to:
- Attend all in-person board of directors meetings annually (3).
- Participate in monthly board teleconference calls.
- Attend the AFA Annual Meeting each year of service.
- Be available and responsive to AFA staff and board members.
- Conduct themselves in a professional manner consistent with AFA’s Code of Professional Responsibility.
- Represent AFA at events as requested.
- Identify potential conflicts and exercise discretion in decision making.
- Contribute in a substantial or sacrificial way to the AFA Foundation.
Preferred Skills & Experience
Board members must be forward thinking, continually assessing the AFA’s strengths and limitations so that their term focuses on bolstering areas that need attention, allowing for continued progress.
Ideal Board of Director candidates should have the following skills or experience:
- Be flexible working with volunteers and staff to achieve strategic goals.
- Have excellent management and communications skills.
- Articulate the value and importance of our organization as it aligns with the principles of higher education.
- Understand the partnerships of AFA within the higher education sphere and the interfraternal industry.
- Focus on the Strategic Framework and organize work around fulfilling the vision and mission of AFA.
- Have a broad understanding of association management, fiduciary responsibilities, and the fundamentals of non-profit organizations.
- Assess information to make data-driven decisions.
- Understand some information may be confidential, and therefore should not be discussed with others outside of the board.
Nominations & Elections Frequently Asked Questions
How does the elections process work?
The process begins with the solicitation of nominations. Affiliate, emeritus, graduate, and professional members may nominate others for the positions being elected this year. Affiliate, emeritus, graduate, and professional members may also nominate themselves.
Anyone nominated will be contacted and asked to either accept or decline their nomination. Candidates who accepted a nomination will receive a nomination acceptance statement. The AFA Governance & Nominations Committee carefully considers all of the acceptance statements and determines the final slate of nominees. Affiliate, graduate, professional, and emrtitus members will then vote on the slate.
What is the Governance & Nominations Committee and what do they do?
The purpose of the Governance & Nominations Committee oversees the Association Nominations and Elections process and maintains responsibility for cultivating interest in board service, on-boarding, and maintenance of strong directors and effective
Association governance.
What if I don’t know who the candidates are?
The Governance & Nominations compiles candidate information and provides recorded interview responses with each individual candidate. These materials will be available on our website to help you make an informed choice.
I think I’d like to run for an office. Can I nominate myself?
Yes. The Governance & Nominations Committee slates candidates based on the skill sets they can bring to a specific office, so nominate yourself if you are interested in this leadership challenge.
How do I vote?
Ballots are sent from the Central Office via email to all eligible voting members.
What if my favorite candidate isn’t on the ballot? Can I “write in” my candidate?
Yes! “Write in” votes are a legitimate way for you to let your voice be heard.
Where can I learn more about the positions?
All members interested in running for office are encouraged to speak to the present board members. Current board members can provide a wealth of information about their responsibilities, the time commitment, and their overall satisfaction with their involvement in the association’s leadership.
