ACNM Elections: Everything Members Want to Know

Who are the elected leaders of ACNM?

Board of Directors (3 year term, limited to two consecutive terms, if serves consecutive terms is eligible for nomination after one year has elapsed from the end of service)

2009 Cycle (new term commences 2009, 2012)

Nominations for the 2009 cycle are now closed. Look for the ballot and voting information in Fall 2008.

• President-Elect (4 year term, 1 year as President-Elect and 3 years as President)
• Secretary
  
• Region IV Representative (District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin)
  
• Region V Representative (Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Wyoming)
• Nominating Committee (three year terms). Two new members are elected each year.

2010 Cycle (new term commences in 2010)

• President
  
• Treasurer
  
• Region II Representative (Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands)
  
• Region III Representative (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee)
• Nominating Committee (three year terms) Two new members are elected each year.

2011 Cycle (new term commences 2011)

• Vice-President
  
• Region I Representative (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont and Non-US Locations)
  
• Region VI Representative (Alaska, American Samoa, California, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington)
• Nominating Committee (three year terms) Two new members are elected each year.

How are the elections managed?

The nominating committee is responsible for selecting the individuals who they believe are good candidates to fill any vacant position. Once they confirm that the individual is willing and able to serve, a ballot is mailed to all voting members of the College. Typically, the elections are held early in the calendar year and the term of office begins just after the annual meeting. The nominating committee is making plans to move the election process forward, thus allowing more time for orientation of new members of the Board of Directors.

How can I get my name on the ballot?

Submit a completed Consent to Serve form. Nominations for the 2009 election cycle are now closed. Look for a Consent to Serve form for the 2010 election in Summer 2009. The Nominating Committee encourages all interested members to explore the possibility of running for office. The committee is also seeking suggestions regarding who might need to be encouraged to be a candidate.

What are the responsibilities that come with each office?

The official duties are described in the ACNM Bylaws. Any current member of the ACNM Board of Directors or committee will gladly talk to potential candidates. The following is provided as a general description of activities/responsibilities undertaken by members of the BOD and nominating committee.

The nominating committee has a very important responsibility. You must be willing to actively seek the names of qualified individuals who will run for office and fulfill his or her term in a responsible manner. The nominating committee meets at the ACNM Annual Meeting, where the Chair of the Committee reports on the election results, and meets several other times via conference call or email chat. Diverse representation is important to the future of this profession, so members from all geographic locations and family backgrounds are encouraged to participate in this important role. E-mail is a must!

Members of the Board of Directors must be able to attend at least 4 two and half day meetings a year. Most, but not all, of the meetings are over the weekend. In addition, they attend the ACNM Annual Meeting. E-mail is a must!

• The President conducts Board and Executive Committee meetings, appoints chairpersons and other representatives, represents the organization at multiple meetings, works closely with the Executive Director to assure the presence of a strong national office, speaks on behalf of the organization during education sessions, testimony, editorials, etc. Writes 4 columns a year in Quickening.
• The President-Elect assists and advises the President and performs other duties as requested or directed by the President, serves as Acting President in the absence or disability of the President, succeeds to the office of President after one year as President-Elect, and succeeds to the office of President should the Presidency become vacant during an unfinished term.
• The Vice President substitutes for the President as needed, communicates board charges to divisions and committees, serves on the Executive Committee and as a liaison to selected groups.
• The Secretary takes and distributes the minutes for every official meeting of the Board of Directors, serves on the Executive Committee and serves as a liaison to selected groups .
• The Treasurer conducts the Financial Advisory Board meetings, works closely with ACNM staff and Board to develop the ACNM budget, guidelines for investment and annual audit, and serves on the Executive Committee,
• Regional Representatives are expected to maintain regular contact with their local members, to assess the needs of local members and to consider the good of the organization in all of their votes. Regional Reps also serve as liaisons to ACNM Divisions, Committees and collegial organizations. They conduct a regional meeting during the ACNM annual meeting and may attend/organize other meetings throughout their region. They write 4 columns a year for Quickening, present the Regional Award for Excellence, coordinate the "With women, for a lifetime" commendation and utilize eMidwife to communicate on a regular basis with members of their region.