The Board oversees and governs the Society’s nomination and election process for the elected positions as determined through the bylaws. This policy does not apply to nominations and elections for Sections, Districts, or Divisions.
Nominations
Any professional member can submit a nomination or petition to ballot as per the bylaws. Self-nominations are accepted. Eligible nominees confirm their willingness to serve by completing an application. Completed applications are reviewed by the Nominating Committee, which keeps all information about nominees confidential. Members of the Nominating Committee are not eligible for nomination.
Candidate Attributes
In considering nominees for the election, the Nominating Committee reviews qualifications and skills. While not an exhaustive list, the following are the preferred attributes for Society leaders.
- Working knowledge of the fiduciary responsibilities of a non-profit Board
- Demonstrated business acumen, experience, and ability to exercise sound and unbiased judgments in matters that relate to the current and long-term objectives of the Society
- Willingness and ability to contribute positively to the decision-making process, acting in the interests of the Society as a whole, all members, and the profession
- Working knowledge of the Society and its vision, mission, values, strategy, structure, and activities
- Understanding and capability to focus on strategic issues at the right altitude
- Demonstrated adherence to the Society’s values
- Superior skills in communication and negotiation with a sensitivity to and tolerance of differing views
- Excellent leadership skills including the ability to motivate others
- General awareness of financial statements; Treasurer candidates must have prior relevant volunteer experience
- Familiarity with the basics of parliamentary procedure and leading effective meetings
Campaigns
Recognizing that it is not practical to develop a complete set of rules to regulate campaigning, the following are aimed at ensuring that campaigns are highly professional and offer fairness to all candidates. The Society depends on the membership to enforce these regulations and relies heavily on the integrity of the candidates. The board will provide interpretation of these regulations as needed.
- ISA or any group (District, Section, Division, Committee, etc.) may not endorse nor oppose any candidate. These restrictions include but are not limited to providing specific candidate information to members via email, newsletters, websites, social media, or any other group communication. Groups are only permitted to promote the overall election. Groups may not, under any circumstances, provide member contact information.
- Members of the Executive Board and the Nominating Committee may not endorse nor oppose any candidate, including but not limited to, likes, shares, or comments on social media. The only exception is that a current member of the Executive Board is permitted to campaign on his/her own behalf.
- Campaigns must be solely financed by the candidate. No funds may be accepted from ISA groups, other organizations, companies, or universities.
- Candidate posts on social media must include a link ONLY to the official election page of the ISA website and may not tag any individuals as to imply endorsement.
- Interactions between candidates and the voting membership are only permitted as arranged by the Society. Candidates may not arrange meetings with any groups directly. ISA Groups may not arrange activities with any candidates nor present any speakers as candidates.
- Campaign conduct at ISA meetings is limited to one-on-one, personal interactions. Distribution or posting of campaign materials is prohibited. Content engagements through ISA may not be used to promote candidacy.
Elections
Elections are conducted electronically and include statements supplied by each candidate. The Nominating Committee may review and edit any candidate statements that conflict with Society values or policies. Voting is open at least 15 days but no more than 31.
Eligible Voters – Professional members in good standing on the first day of the month preceding the month in which the election is held are eligible to vote.
Vote Tabulation – The candidate with the most votes wins the election. In the case where more than one position in the same office is to be filled, voters will have the option the select multiple candidates matching the number of open positions. If there is an abbreviated term, the candidate(s) with the most votes will get the full term.
Results – At the conclusion of the election, and after candidates have been notified, the results indicating those who were elected will be published along with the percentage of voter participation in the election.