Nominations and Elections

The Nominating Committee
As with any leadership position, one can never forget to plan for the future. It's not too early to be thinking about next year's officers and the nominating committee who will put together the slate of candidates. With careful planning, your unit can have the best officers possible. It does take time and planning. If it's left until the last moment, those qualified members will have assumed roles elsewhere. Remember the axiom about busy people always keeping busy? Let's keep them busy working for the kids!

Nomination of officers by a nominating committee is the method most widely used. The bylaws of your unit should state how and when the nominating committee is elected. The president may not appoint the committee, nor be an ex-officio member; nor is it appropriate for the president to exert any influence on its selection of nominees.

One of the highest honors bestowed on a member by an organization is election to the nominating committee. These committee members have wisdom and tact; they are circumspect, persuasive, and know the membership. Nominees should be selected on merit and ability, never on popularity. Members of this committee require a clear understanding of the qualifications stipulated in the bylaws for the various offices. With these traits in mind, the board must seek out people who will meet these standards and select the candidates best qualified to serve. It is the welfare of the organization that is at stake.

Your nominating committee members should possess:

• Interest in and enthusiasm for the purpose and programs of your PTA, and the willingness to work and devote time to them;
• Objectivity
• High qualities of tact, integrity, and the ability to hold one's own counsel;
• Courage to express ideas and to defend one's convictions;
• Sound judgment and skill in evaluating possible nominees;
  Knowledge of your PTA's goals; and,
• General knowledge of potential candidates' qualifications and abilities.

At its first meeting, the nominating committee should have a copy of the bylaws and a membership list. The committee should select one or more nominee for each office to be filled, depending on provisions of the local bylaws. Discussion of nominees is confidential, and voting is by ballot. (If a committee member is nominated, he or she should leave the room during consideration and return for the vote.) The committee chairman usually contacts nominees to tell them the duties of the office and to obtain their consent to serve if elected. The report of the committee is signed by all members who concur. The committee is automatically discharged when its report is presented to the membership. (However, if a candidate withdraws before the election, the nominating committee must seek another candidate.)

The committee report is presented at the time stated in the bylaws. After the nominating committee reports, additional nominations from the floor may be made. However, the president should stress to the general membership throughout the process that the nominating committee members were selected for their knowledge of the organization and its membership. They have the task of selecting the best person for the job and have nominated a slate of officers considered to be the best candidates.
Yes, it's time to consider the future now. With careful consideration of future officers, your unit will continue to experience the strong leadership you and your officers have worked so hard to achieve.
Refer to the Local Unit Resource Guide for more information from the Virginia PTA on Nominating Committees. Section II. If you need a copy of your bylaws, contact the State Office.

Nominating Process - Considering Candidates

• When the nominating committee members consider a candidate for office, they should ask themselves:
• What do we need? (people with specific expertise, influential names, minorities, workers, ties to community, etc.)
• What do we expect? (explain in detail -- time, financial obligations, meeting attendance, committee work, etc.)
• Where are we going? What is our mission?
• Why are we doing this? What are our purposes?
• When a potential candidate is contacted, he or she should ask several questions, both personally and of the board:
• What will I be expected to do?
• What is the board's purpose? Do I believe in and agree with it?
• Is this the challenge I am looking for?
• Do I have the time?
• Do I have the expertise?

An effective board is one that enlists the collective wisdom of carefully selected members. Each member brings to this group unique knowledge, insight, skill and personal contacts. By working together, a team is formed, and the separate ideas blend to build a whole greater than the parts. The same applies to the nominating committee members, as well.