How to Conduct a Successful Board Election

Board elections are essential to the development of your company both economically and socially. They also aid in maintaining an effective governance. A high turnout of voters and open elections help ensure that power is not monopolized by ensuring that the board is comprised of diverse interests, skills and experience to meet the needs of the company.

The bylaws of your organization provide basic guidelines and legal parameters for the conduct of board voting. Bylaws typically specify the number of votes needed to select a specific candidate, what positions require voting and how terms can be added, deleted or substituted.

In the majority of member-based organizations, the board votes regularly on issues like membership tiers and dues. The primary role of the board is to ensure your organization runs efficiently and with integrity.

A proper board election procedure will include nominations and voting as well as a nominating committee and training for new members to help them get up to Election of Board Members speed. This process is a great way to build trust among your members and demonstrate your ability to govern.

The nominating panel should carefully scrutinize the list of members to ensure that each candidate meets the requirements required to hold the office. The board will need to hold a new election if one is elected but later discovers that they cannot serve. You can avoid this by asking any member who realizes that they are unable to serve, to request to be removed from nomination during the meeting for nominations.