Having served on the INA Board of Directors for 10 years, and now as the current INA Board of Directors Nominating Committee Chair, I understand the importance of serving on the Board of Directors and what the INA Board does 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. Many years 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 on Tuesday.
Who qualifies as a Board of Director’s nominee?
Anyone with a current FULL Individual, Standard, Supporting or Premium membership in INA can serve on the INA Board of Directors. Associate Members and Independent Supporters are not eligible to serve. Staff members of an agency member are also not eligible to serve, unless they hold a membership in their name. Nominees must have attended one conference, and be an INA member for a minimum of two years. While it is not necessary, it is recommended that they also have some level of involvement in an INA committee. Members can nominate themselves, or other eligible individuals. These names should be given to the Nomination Committee when nominations are open in late fall and the individuals will be contacted.
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 and 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, 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 regarding each nominee. We strive to bring you the most important facts about each nominee, but if you wish to know more, 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 a very balanced representation and consists of eight individuals with experience in education, Newborn Care Specialists, agency owners, and former nannies that are also small business owners within the in-home child care industry.
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: restructure of the INA Basic Skills Assessment and INA Nanny Credential Exam, hosted the first ever sold-out conference in 2016, introduced the INA Associate Membership for new members, planned and implemented a successful Membership Drive in February, hired the new INA Operations Manager, Christina Tracy, hosted several successful Facebook Town Hall live chats, 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 2017-2019 INA Board of Directors. Voting begins Tuesday, January 31, 2017 and will run through Monday, February 6, 2017.
The 2017 – 2019 INA Board of Directors will be sworn in during the 32nd Annual INA Conference, May 18 -21, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois.
By Kellie Geres, INA Board of Directors Nominating Committee Chair