Election of Board Members
Elections ensure that your organization has the top and brightest leaders working on your behalf. The elections also help your members connect with your nonprofit’s leadership and establish trust that their voices and governance needs are being met. It is essential to vote on board membership regularly regardless of whether you have to hold an election every when a position becomes vacant.
Your organizational bylaws will outline the voting procedure for your board, including the number of votes required to establish a quorum, as well as other basic guidelines. Your board can use a variety of methods to document the results of each vote, but it’s best to follow the rules of a reputable organization to ensure that your board is accountable.
During the nomination process it is crucial to conduct an extensive interview with the candidates and then request an expression of interest that outlines their experiences and how they believe they can contribute to the board’s work. It is a good idea to allow write-ins as well so that those who don’t agree with the candidates chosen can have a say in the vote.
Another way to enhance the process of deciding who to vote for is by using preferential nominations on your ballot. This technique allows voters to declare their top choices for each candidate, providing you a clear picture of what your members feel about the candidates that you’ve chosen. It’s also a great option for multiple-winner elections, like when you have more candidates than positions.