Board Candidates
When deciding on board members, schools are typically looking for those who can reach out to district voters and provide a higher-level vision for the school that can help them achieve their goals. They are also seeking individuals with relevant experience in areas such as business, law and education, insurance/managed health and medicine, finance/banking, marketing, real estate and information technology.
Board candidates may be selected by a nomination committee, or by the floor during open nominations. The committee for nominations should interview candidates to determine if they are the right to be on the board and if they have the necessary qualifications and skills. The committee should also consider diversity, as well as the candidate’s dedication to the cause of the organization.
The process of nomination should include a discussion on expectations for board members, such as the amount of financial contributions, participation in fundraising and professional advice regarding the governance of the school. This should be documented with the form of a letter asked of new members.
It is crucial to allow write-ins in the election period for candidates who weren’t nominated. This allows for more accurate representation of the preferences productsboard.com of voters and avoids the Ballot Order Effect, where voters tend to favor candidates at the top of the list. Additionally, it’s helpful to allow for an “Abstain” option on the ballot, to keep from voting for a candidate that isn’t in line with the school’s ideals.