Concerning the Election of Board Members
Elections are an excellent way to ensure that you have the best leaders working for your organization. They also assist your members to connect with the leadership of your non-profit and trust that their voices will be heard and their needs for governance will be new board members satisfied. It is crucial to vote regularly on board membership regardless of whether you need to hold an election every time a vacant position arises.
Your organizational bylaws will define the voting procedures of your board, including the number of votes required to create a quorum as well as other basic guidelines. Your board can employ different methods to keep track of the results of every vote, but it’s best to adhere to reputable rules to ensure that your board is accountable.
In the process of deciding who to nominate, it’s crucial to talk to candidates in depth and request that they submit a letter outlining their experiences and how they envision themselves helping the board’s work. It’s a good idea allow write-ins as well so that those who don’t agree with the candidates picked can have a say in the election.
Another way to enhance the process of deciding who to vote for is by using preferred nominations on your ballot. This method allows voters to express their top preferences for each nominee, giving you an accurate image of what your voters think about the candidates you have nominated. It’s also a great option for multi-winner elections, such as when you have more candidates than positions.