NIEA Board of Directors Election Process

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Eligibility Requirements

All candidates must meet the following requirements to run for the NIEA Board of Directors during the 2024 election cycle:

  1. Be a verified (by the organization) as a voting member of NIEA at the time of application submission;

  2. Submit documented proof of Native enrollment, lineage, or descent;

  3. Be willing to fulfill the required roles and responsibilities of a member of the Board of Directors;

  4. Has not previously served more than three terms on the Board; and

  5. (Student Board Member) Show proof of full-time student enrollment, as defined by their institution, in a post-secondary institution of higher education at the time of the election and remain a full-time student for the duration of their term.

A record of service shall include, but no limited to, serving on Board Committees or volunteering during organizational events.

 

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.

    • 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.

Nominations for the NIEA Board of Directors will be open until August 9, 2024 11:59pm PST.

  • 9am (PST) Wednesday, October 9, 2024 – 5pm (PST) Friday, October 11, 2024

    Virtual voting will be held from 9am (PST) on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 – 5pm (PST) on Friday, October 11, 2024. Eligible voters will receive a link to a unique ballot via email and text.

  • Onsite Voting at the Albuquerque Convention Center will open Friday, October 11, 2024 at 9am (PST) and close at 5pm (PST).

  • 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. Election results will be announced at the Closing General Assembly Saturday, October 12, 2024.

  • If there is a challenge to the election results, it must be filed with the NIEA’s Ombudsman by 12:00 pm (PST) on Saturday, October 12, 2024. In the event of an election challenge, the NIEA Board of Directors will convene to address it.

Contact Diana Cournoyer, NIEA Executive Director, with any questions at 202-847-0033 or dcournoyer@niea.org.