Steering Committee Voting Process
The voting process for members of the Presidents Assembly Steering Committee (SC) begins with the process of nominating and is overseen by the Nominating Sub-committee of the Presidents Assembly (PA).
- The Nominating Sub-committee is a standing committee of the PA SC
- Elections for the SC shall occur annually
- SC members shall be elected for a 2-year term, with half the members of the SC being elected in Year 1 and half being elected in Year 2 (the number for following year to be determined by the SC of the current year)
- There shall be a minimum of five and maximum 11 members of the SC reporting to the Presidents Assembly Chair and Chair-Elect
- The overall composition of the SC should reflect the diversity, experience, and leadership necessary and desirable to lead NAWBO in the 21st century: for example age, ethnicity, geography, business size, and type (i.e., service or product)
- The ballot will specify the number of SC seats to be filled and may include more nominees than seats available
- Each chapter shall cast one vote from the ballot indicating its preferences to fill the available seats
- The incoming PA Chair-Elect will be elected by the current SC from the current SC membership
Call for Nominations to the Steering Committee
The call for nominations to the SC shall be issued each year according to the timeline approved by the SC committee members each June. Details of the process are found in Addendum A (Procedures and Timeline). The process includes two parts with forms to be filled out for each part.
- The nomination form (Addendum B) is reviewed by staff to determine fundamental eligibility. Eligible nominees are asked to complete an application form and to submit a head shot for the ballot.
- The application form (Addendum C) informs the nominee with a statement of purpose and an estimate of time and travel for SC members. The application form also collects the nominee’s qualifications, vision, and her pledge of commitment. This form is reviewed by the sub-committee for completeness.
Nominee Qualifications
Nominees must be:
- Voting members in good standing of NAWBO
- A past or present member of the Presidents Assembly
- Active during the past 3 consecutive years
Voting Process
The Nominating Sub-committee shall construct a ballot of eligible nominees from the application forms. The ballot is then submitted to the SC for approval. Once approved, the ballot consisting of the nominees’ application forms (Addendum C) and head shots will be submitted to the PA for a vote.
Each chapter shall submit one ballot. The chapter vote must be cast by either the President or President-Elect.
The outcome will be determined by a simple majority of those proper, legitimate, and timely ballots cast. Ties, if any will be broken by a vote of the current Chair per Robert’s Rules.
Notification Process
The newly elected members of the SC and the existing SC will be notified by the staff of the election results.
The Chair taking office in June (present Chair-Elect) will send a welcoming letter confirming the election and invite the new members of the SC to participate as observers in all SC and PA meetings remaining prior to the yearly conference.