Boards are a major factor in an organization that is not for profit, but only if they are staffed by the right people. Board members must have a passion for your cause as well as the time and energy to devote to their roles, and skills that help in the advancement of your organization’s mission. The best way to attract these individuals is to have an inclusive board that includes members with a variety of backgrounds. This lets you gain different perspectives, which are essential for making sound decisions.
Many organizations have their own nomination procedures. These may be outlined in your bylaws or they may require the formation of a nominating committee. A nominating panel could include the current board members or a neutral third party hired to conduct evaluations. The nominating panel should meet to review the bylaws and the list of members along with the description of each office’s responsibilities and the requirements for eligibility of candidates.
The nominating committee will select the candidates to be put forward to the full board. Depending on the membership of your organization it could be done through ballots or a voice vote. The nominating panel can use an election platform that is managed, like DirectVoteLive or myDirectVote to streamline the voting process and ensure transparency.
Once the nominees are elected The member organization will employ a method for voting such as plurality or preferential nominations (depending on your bylaws). Preferential nominations allow voters to express their preferences in greater precision than simple majority voting. This gives a clearer picture of how your organization’s members feel about individual candidates.