NOVA Board of Directors Nomination/Election Notice 2018 (2019-2021 term)
In accordance with NOVA’s bylaws, the terms of one-third of the members of its Board of Directors expire at the end of each year. This year’s election of Board members will be conducted at the annual Membership Meeting to be held in Washington, DC on October 20, 2018 at 7:45 a.m. ET.
To serve on the Board, an individual must have been a Sustaining Member in good standing for the three years preceding his or her nomination and must be either admitted or accredited to practice before either the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, or both. Other membership categories are not eligible to serve.
Board members serve a three (3) year term beginning on January 1st of the year following election.
Board membership requires commitment both of time and resources as you represent other NOVA members. Board members are expected to be active participants in NOVA. They are required to attend Board meetings, seminars, and conference calls. The Board meets in-person at the Spring and Fall seminars and for a two-day planning meeting, bi-monthly by phone, and on an ad hoc basis. Members cover their own expenses, including travel, lodging, and meals for all seminars and meetings.
Anyone interested in serving, and meeting the minimum requirements, must inform the President of his or her desire to be a candidate for election no later than August 7, 2018. Thereafter, the President will solicit additional information from each candidate. The Board shall select by majority vote candidates to appear on the ballot equal to the number of positions on the Board to be filled at the upcoming election. The Board will then announce its selections to NOVA’s membership. Thereafter, additional nominations must be endorsed with the names of at least ten (10) Sustaining Members and submitted to the President. Each such nominee will appear as a candidate on the ballot.
Each candidate may provide a written statement supporting his or her candidacy. Such a statement must be submitted to the President. The President will distribute the written statements to the Sustaining Members prior to balloting. A candidate wishing to speak to the membership at the annual meeting prior to balloting shall be allowed up to five (5) minutes to do so.
Any Sustaining Member in good standing who will not be attending the Membership Meeting may request an absentee ballot from the Executive Director. An absentee ballot may only be cast by members who will not be in attendance. The completed absentee ballot must be submitted to the President and received no later than five (5) days prior to the Membership Meeting.
The nomination and election process will follow this schedule:
July 1, 2018: The President begins accepting nominations.
August 7, 2018: Open nominations close.
August 22, 2018: The Board announces its selection of candidates.
September 20, 2018: Deadline for accepting additional nominations.
September 21, 2018: The President announces the slate of candidates.
September 28, 2018: Due date for candidate’s statements.
October 5, 2018: Last day to request absentee ballots.
October 15, 2018: Due date for receipt of absentee ballots.
October 20, 2018: Election held and results announced.
Nominations, candidate’s statements, or questions may be directed via email to the President, Glenda Herl.
Requests for absentee ballots may be directed via email to the Executive Director, Diane Boyd Rauber.
Completed absentee ballots must be sent by U.S. mail and addressed to:
Glenda S. Herl
Carpenter Chartered
P.O. Box 2099
1525 SW Topeka Blvd # D
Topeka, KS 66601
Note: When the Secretary indicates the intent to seek reelection to the Board, the President shall then appoint another Board member, not standing for reelection, to (1) undertake the Secretary’s responsibilities for the course of the election and (2) supervise and announce the results of the election.