by Kellie Geres
Ballots are being emailed directly to all INA members shortly. Check your Junk and Spam boxes if you don’t see yours!
INA BOD Elections are important, and we need your participation! I served on the INA Board of Directors for 10 years, and currently chair the INA Board of Directors Nominating Committee. I understand the important work done by the board of directors and all they do for our membership, organization and industry.
Each year the nominating committee strives to bring the membership a ballot of nominees who will serve the organization to its fullest and meet or exceed the qualifications required to be eligible to serve on the board of directors.
Once the nominees are accepted, a voting ballot is presented to the INA membership to cast their votes. Each year, a minimum number of votes are required from the membership to qualify each election. Each year it is a struggle to secure those votes.
As committee chair, it is my goal to answer some common questions and dispel some myths about the nomination process, as well as to encourage each member to cast their vote when the ballot comes out in March.
Who qualifies as a board of directors nominee?
Any individual, standard or supporting member of INA can serve on the INA Board of Directors. Independent supporters are not eligible to serve. Staff members of an agency member are also not eligible to serve, unless they hold their own membership. While it is not necessary, it is strongly recommended that nominees have attended at minimum one conference, and have been involved in an INA committee. Members can nominate themselves, or individual names can be given to the committee and they will be contacted to see if they are interested in serving on the board.
What is the nomination process?
Potential nominees fill out the official board of directors’ nomination packet. Each nominee is asked a series of questions based on their INA involvement, skills they may bring to the board, prior board experience, and what contribution they will bring to the association. Nominees also provide references, only one of which can be an INA member. The nominating committee then interviews each applicant and their references and makes the final determinations as to which candidates will appear on the ballot.
As former board members, the nominating committee knows the qualities one must have to serve on the board successfully, and the committee presents a slate to the membership that it feels meets the needs of the organization. We have declined applications from nominees for lack of experience and lack of knowledge of the association.
Why should you vote?
Voting is your right and privilege. Voting gives members the opportunity to select who you want representing you as an organization. From the candidates presented, members can select all or just the ones you wish to have your vote count for. If a nominee does not get the minimum number of votes required (50), they are not eligible to serve on the board. So just being on the ballot does not ensure they will be elected and serve the association. For this reason INA requests that all members vote.
Not familiar with the nominees?
We are limited by space in the information we can provide you with on each nominee. We strive to bring you the most important facts about each nominee, but if you wish to know more about a nominee, we encourage you to contact that nominee directly with your questions.
Is the board made up of different types of members, or is it predominantly nannies or agencies?
The current board has very balanced representation. The current president of INA is Susan Tokayer, an agency owner for more than 18 years. There are also three nannies serving on the board, one newborn care specialist, an additional agency owner and founding member of INA, a supporting member owner and an international agency owner. So of eight current board positions, four are held by caregivers, and four are held by business owners.
So once elected, what does the INA Board of Directors do for the association?
The INA Board of Directors serves the association and its membership. Some of their recent actions include: approving the Spanish translation of Beyond Parenting Basics; approving educational initiatives such as the Dr. G Webinar series and the recently published INA Nanny Agency Marketing ToolKit; approving the INA Service Award Pin Program; approving the INA Conference Endowment Fund; approving the nanny.org website restructuring; creating a clearinghouse of information and resources for nannies, employers and the public to learn from; approving the Job Board on nanny.org; and much, much more.
I hope this answers some concerns you may have about the upcoming election, and will allow you to take a few moments to cast your vote for the 2014-2016 INA Board of Directors.