NIEA Board of Directors Election Process

 
 
 

Call for Nominations: 2025 NIEA Board of Directors

NIEA is now accepting nominations for five (5) open seats on the Board of Directors as part of the 2025 general election.

Open Seats

General Member – Hawaii
Must reside in Hawaii

General Member – Northeast Region
Must reside in: CT, DC, DE, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, WV

General Member – At-Large
Must reside in the Southeast, West, or Hawaii regions

Student Member – 1-Year Term (At-Large)
Must reside in the Southeast, West, or Hawaii regions

Student Member – 2-Year Term (At-Large)
Must reside in the Southeast, West, or Hawaii regions

Eligibility Requirements

All candidates must:

  • Be a verified NIEA voting member

  • Provide proof of Native enrollment, lineage, or descent

  • Not have served more than three (3) terms on the Board

  • Demonstrate a record of service to Native education or Native communities (including service to NIEA)

  • Be willing and able to fulfill all Board responsibilities

Student candidates must be enrolled full-time in a post-secondary institution at the time of nomination and remain enrolled for the duration of their term.

Convention Attendance Required

If approved as a qualified candidate, you must attend the 2025 NIEA Convention & Trade Show in Spokane, WA.
If elected, you must remain through Sunday, October 12, 2025, for orientation and Board meetings.

Nomination Deadline

August 15, 2025 at 11:59 PM PST

Board of Directors Responsibilities

  • Board members are required to:

    • Participate in regularly scheduled monthly Board meetings.

    • Serve on at least 2 standing committees and attend monthly committee meetings.

    • Travel to attend special events or meetings, e.g. Hill Week, Annual Convention, as they are determined.

    • Make a financial contribution and seek out other ways to ensure the fiscal stability of the organization. Student Board Members are exempt from this requirement.

  • ◦ Active engagement in Board business, i.e. participate in all Board meetings and in committee work.

    ◦ Knowledge of the organization's mission, purpose, goals, policies, programs and services, strengths, and needs.

    ◦ Understand and uphold the policies and procedures of NIEA.

    ◦ Help communicate and positively promote NIEA's mission and programs to the community.

    ◦ Gain familiarity with NIEA finances, budget, and financial/resource needs.

    ◦ Meaningfully contribute to NIEA's fundraising efforts.

    ◦ Assist NIEA with creating sponsorship and partnership opportunities.

 

Election Procedures

Election of the open seats for the NIEA Board of Directors will be held virtually. Election procedures will be in accordance with election procedures established and published by the NIEA Board of Directors. Election of the Board of Directors will be by vote of eligible members of NIEA. Each voting member shall be entitled to one vote; proxy votes shall not be allowed.

  • Virtual Voting will begin Friday, October 2025 at 9:00 am PST and will close Friday, October 10, 2025 at 5:00pm PST.

    NIEA members will receive a link to vote from a third-party.

    If you are an active NIEA member and do not receive this link on October 8, 2025, please contact Jennifer Wilson, Membership & Communications Manager, at jwilson@niea.org or Waquin Preston, State & Tribal Policy Director, at wpreston@niea.org

  • On-site voting will take place at the Spokane Convention Center in Spokane, WA at the 56th Annual NIEA Convention & Trade Show.

    On-site voting will begin on Friday, October 10, 2025 at 9:00 am PST and will close on Friday, October 10, 2025 at 5:00pm PST.

    You can find the stations at Registration.

    You must be a current NIEA member to vote.

  • The process of tabulating the official votes for Board of Directors candidates will adhere to Article IV of the NIEA Constitution. All votes will be tabulated by a third party and validated by the NIEA Board Ombudsperson. The candidates with the highest number of votes will be offered a seat on the new of Board Directors.

    The results will be announced October 11, 2025.

For any questions please contact Jennifer Wilson, Membership & Communications Manager, at jwilson@niea.org OR Waquin Preston, NIEA Tribal & State Policy Director, at wpreston@niea.org.