Nominating Committee

Chair: Paul J. Mills, PhD

Nominating Committee Charge

Effective March, 2009, the Nominating Committee shall consist of six members with staggered terms: The immediate Past-President, President, one Council member and three At-Large members. Each year one Nominating Committee Council member will be elected for a one-year term. Each year one at-large member will be elected for a three-year term. The President of the Society shall act as chair.

Each fall, the Nominating Committee shall solicit nominations from the membership and Council for all anticipated vacancies. The Nominating Committee will also review persons nominated in previous years for each position, as well as persons currently serving on APS committees. Any additional individuals appropriate for consideration may be added to the list of nominees.

The Nominating Committee will collect information (e.g., CVs) regarding selected candidates and then conduct their review of the nominees via teleconferencing and email to arrive at their top choices and alternates for each open position.

The Nominating Committee shall recommend to the Council one person for election to each of the following positions that become vacant: President-elect, Secretary Treasurer, and Council members. It recommends to the Council two persons for election to each of the following positions that shall become vacant: Nominating Committee Council member and at-large members.

As stipulated in the Bylaws, the Council shall present the list of nominees to the membership at least 60 days prior to the Annual Business Meeting. Nominations will keep balance among disciplines and consider the needs of the Society. See below for more information on candidate qualifications and other considerations used by the Nominating Committee.

The APS By-Laws state that candidates for Officer or Council positions, other than those selected by the Nominating Committee, may be placed on the slate by petition. Petitions must bear the signatures of at least five percent of the members in good standing who are eligible to vote. Petitions must be received by the Secretary-Treasurer at least 30 days prior to the Annual Business Meeting.

As stipulated in the Bylaws, elections by members will be conducted at the Annual Business Meeting, or by mail or electronic ballot, as determined by the Council. Election shall be plurality vote. Mail ballots, if utilized, shall be distributed to members in good standing no later than 25 days prior to the Business Meeting and shall specify a due date which may not be less than 15 days from mailing.

Candidate qualifications and other considerations used by the Nominating Committee (approved by Council December, 2008)

Individuals nominated for leadership positions will be evaluated by the Nominating Committee based upon several qualifications. A strong candidate will generally be an individual who:

  1. Is an active APS member, as reflected in terms of longevity and regular attendance at annual meeting.
  2. Is a leader in his/her professional field, as reflected in current and prior career positions and notable contributions to research, education and healthcare.
  3. Is committed to, and familiar with, the organization, as reflected in current and prior types and ranges of involvement in the organization, during which the individual has contributed his/her time and expertise1 .
  4. Has demonstrated leadership skills in not-for-profit professional organizations, as reflected in roles either within or outside of the APS2.
  5. Possesses high ethical standards and for whom serving would not constitute a significant conflict of interest.

These qualifications need not be met equally by a given candidate and, for the positions of Council member and Nominating Committee member-at large, prior substantive contributions to the APS (#3 above) is preferred by not required. For example, an individual with a clear record of leadership in a related field or organization may be a strong candidate even if only a new member with limited involvement in the APS. On the other hand, the positions of president-elect and secretary treasurer will normally be filled by an individual who meets all of the above qualifications.

In addition to the above general qualifications, the APS seeks among its leaders diversity with respect to gender, race, nationality, and professional background and areas of specialization. Accordingly, the Nominating Committee will consider these characteristics among current and outgoing Council members so that its choices for open seats ensure that the Council as a whole is diverse and representative of the membership. In a similar manner for the positions of president-elect, secretary-treasurer and at-large member seats on the Nominating Committee, the diversity characteristics of current and recent individuals holding those positions will be examined by the Nominating Committee to guide its selections.

At each Fall Council meeting, these qualifications and the characteristics of current leaders will be reviewed. Council may elect to instruct the Nominating Committee to more heavily weigh certain characteristics in their upcoming selections. If, for example, a certain professional background would be advantageous for the organization at that time, the Council may request that such a factor be given priority.

While the deliberations of the Nominating Committee will remain confidential to protect the individuals being considered, the reasoning for the committee’s choices and the qualifications of those selected for each position will be made available to the Council and all members.

Finally, potential future leaders may be identified prior to their having significant involvement in the APS. In those circumstances, the President and Nominating Committee will work to involve such individuals in the organization with the goal of cultivating their leadership skills and affiliation with the APS.

 

March 2009-March 2010 Nominating Committee:

Paul J. Mills, PhD President (Chair)
Shari Waldstein, PhD, Immediate Past President
Roland von Känel, MD, (term expires March, 2012)
Doug Carroll, PhD, (term expires March, 2013)
Susan Everson-Rose, PhD (term expires March, 2011)
Neil Schneiderman, PhD, (term expires March, 2013)

1Like all organizations, the APS has its own history, structure, procedures and culture. To be an effective leader, an individual should have a working familiarity with these details of the organization. While such information may be acquired after election, efficient and effective leadership is enhanced by pre-existing knowledge and familiarity.
2 Not all successful professionals have the inclination to volunteer their time to non-profit organizations and not all have the interpersonal style or skills required to help groups of individuals pursue shared goals with little or no personal gain. Therefore, the APS seeks candidates who have offered their assistance to non-profit organizations and, further, whose involvement has included demonstrations of effective leadership.

Page last updated 1/06/09

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