Having served on the INA Board of Directors for 10 years, I understand the importance of serving on the board, and what 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. As committee adviser, 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 is presented for voting.
Who qualifies as a Board of Directors 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.
The nominations 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 to represent 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 11 individuals with experience in education, Newborn Care Specialists, agency owners, consulting, nannies, 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 Member Facebook Group, approved the creation of the INA Ambassador Program, conducted the 2017 INA Nanny Salary & Benefits Survey, and much, much more.
I hope these answers help you understand the upcoming election and will allow you to take a few moments to cast your vote for the 2018-2020 INA Board of Directors.
The 2018 – 2020 INA Board of Directors will be sworn in during the 33rd Annual INA Conference, May 17-20, 2018 in Tucson, Arizona.
With 29 years in private service, Kellie Geres has become an industry leader specializing in working with divorced parents, transitioning to household management and working with nanny organizations and agencies providing consulting, small business and social media services. Kellie was named the 1997 International Nanny Association Nanny of the Year, and in 2014 was honored with the Domestic Estate Management Association Lifetime Achievement Award. Kellie resides in the Washington, DC metro area.