Reminder: Nominations for SMPS National Board Due April 15
Nominations for the 2005-2006 National Board of Directors are due in the National Office on April 15.

Available positions include President-Elect, Secretary-Treasurer, and Chapter Delegate. In addition, the Nominations and Elections Committee is seeking candidates to serve as trustees of the SMPS Foundation.

A formal Call for Nominations was mailed to each SMPS member in February. The call and all requirements are also available on the SMPS web site at www.smps.org/about/callfor.htm. Due April 15, nomination packages should contain all information requested in the Call for Nominations and be sent to:

Nominations & Elections Committee
Andrea Fitch, Chair
SMPS
99 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 330
Alexandria, VA 22314

With the exception of President-Elect, the directors and trustees serve a two-year term which runs September 1, 2005, to August 31, 2007. The President-Elect's commitment is a three-year term: President-Elect (September 1, 2005, to August 31, 2006), President (September 1, 2006, to August 31, 2007), and Past President (September 1, 2007, to August 31, 2008).

To qualify for a position on the National Board, a member must meet the following requirements:

• have been a member of SMPS for five or more years
• have the endorsement of your local chapter
• have the endorsement of your firm
• be committed to the Society's mission
• be willing to devote an estimated 20-30 hours per month to SMPS
• be a team player and contribute personal and professional qualities that complement those of other board members
• become knowledgeable about current goals and issues of importance to the Society and be committed to advancing the interests of the Society and its members
• be willing to place SMPS' purposes and interests above professional and personal interests when making decisions as a board member.

Additional qualifications specific to each position are described on the SMPS web site. Past National Presidents and Student members are not eligible to hold national office.

Nominations may be made by individuals (self-nominations are allowed) or by petition. Petitions require signature by a minimum of 300 members with no more than 50 members from any one chapter.

The Nominations and Elections Committee’s charge is to identify potential candidates, to evaluate nominees based on their applications, and to select from among the nominations received the most qualified candidate for each open position, resulting in a slate. In keeping with the bylaws, the committee’s slate then is presented to the National Secretary-Treasurer who declares the new officers elected by acclamation, and an announcement of the new officers is made to the membership. The membership is not called upon to vote in a formal election unless an un-slated nominee submits a petition. In that situation, the membership votes for the slated candidate or the petitioning candidate. The candidate receiving the majority of the votes is elected.

Please contact Earl Klinger at the National Office at 800.292.7677, x222, or earl@smps.org if you have questions about the nominations and elections process. [ return to top ]