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Nominating and Elections Committee Projects |
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Participate in Nominating and Elections Committee Projects
Nominating and Elections Committee (NEC) seek out candidates for national office and to present a slate of nominees for all elected positions of the association. NEC Committees form well-established process for identifying and nominating qualified people to step into leadership positions will ensure success for many years into the future. The members of the nominating committee have a tremendous influence on the future of the local, state and national levels of NSNA. |
Erin Marie Kelly, 2022-2023 NEC Chair, speaks on "Running for Office" at the 2022 NSNA Leadership U Summer Summit.
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Professional Identity Formation in Nursing
The NSNA Leadership University Honor Society accelerates your formation of a professional identity in nursing. Nursing school is the beginning of your leadership journey that will advance your career and contribute to the advancement of the nursing profession. NSNA provides numerous opportunities for you to learn about the many facets of the nursing profession including Population and Global Health; Breakthrough to Nursing (recruitment into the profession); Ethics and Governance; Health Policy and Advocacy; Image of Nursing; and governing a school chapter, state association and national organization. Through these programs, social justice, social determinants of health, diversity, equity, and inclusion will contribute to the advancement of nursing’s social mission and are integrated into professional identity.
Think, Act and Feel Like a Nurse
The signposts of professional Identity in Nursing include: Values and Ethics, Leadership, Knowledge, and Professional Comportment.* By practicing leadership in nursing school, you will apply and integrate learning to build your self-confidence and knowledge. You will be better prepared think, act and feel like a professional nurse and to transition into nursing practice and leadership roles as a new graduate RN.
Here are examples of how involvement in Nominating and Elections will help you to form your Professional Identity in Nursing:
The NSNA Leadership University Honor Society accelerates your formation of a professional identity in nursing. Nursing school is the beginning of your leadership journey that will advance your career and contribute to the advancement of the nursing profession. NSNA provides numerous opportunities for you to learn about the many facets of the nursing profession including Population and Global Health; Breakthrough to Nursing (recruitment into the profession); Ethics and Governance; Health Policy and Advocacy; Image of Nursing; and governing a school chapter, state association and national organization. Through these programs, social justice, social determinants of health, diversity, equity, and inclusion will contribute to the advancement of nursing’s social mission and are integrated into professional identity.
Think, Act and Feel Like a Nurse
The signposts of professional Identity in Nursing include: Values and Ethics, Leadership, Knowledge, and Professional Comportment.* By practicing leadership in nursing school, you will apply and integrate learning to build your self-confidence and knowledge. You will be better prepared think, act and feel like a professional nurse and to transition into nursing practice and leadership roles as a new graduate RN.
Here are examples of how involvement in Nominating and Elections will help you to form your Professional Identity in Nursing:
- Ethics and Values: Help members to incorporate NSNA’s Core Values and Code of Ethics in promoting a positive image of nursing.
- Knowledge: Facilitate learning related to a positive image of nursing.
- Leadership: Prepare diverse students with the leadership skills needed to represent and promote a positive image for the nursing profession.
- Professional Comportment: Foster nursing students to think, act and feel like a professional nurse.
Nominating and Election Committee (NEC) Leadership Activities
- Believe in and be an active advocate and ambassador for the values, core purpose and vision of NSNA
- Understand the NSNA Bylaws, Standing Rules, and Operation Policies of NSNA as it relates to the NEC and electing new officers.
- The NEC shall develop and manage all official NEC documents. All documents used in the recruitment and deliberation processes (i.e., call for candidates, applications, policies, etc.) shall be developed and approved by the Nominating Committee.
- NSNA position descriptions for elected position shall be reviewed annually by the Nominating Committee. The descriptions also should set the candidates’ realistic expectations for the time and financial resources necessary to fulfill their responsibilities. Any change in existing job descriptions shall be reviewed and approved by the NSNA Board of Directors.
- The Nominating Committee chair shall manage and facilitate the nominating process and lead the committee in education related to the nominating process. The chair and the committee members should remain objective and impartial. While the chair may answer candidate questions about the Nominating Committee process, neither the chair nor Nominating Committee members will participate in candidate preparation or support.
Forming A Nominating & Election Committee Activities
Guidelines for State and School Chapters
The NSNA Nominating and Elections Committee (NEC) has compiled some suggestions on how to form an NEC at your chapter, as well as some ideas concerning candidate recruitment. We hope that this information is useful to you as you meet the needs of your organization.
Purpose of a Nominating and Elections Committee
At the national level, the purpose of the nominating and elections committee is to recruit qualified candidates for office, prepare the slate of candidates, and oversee campaigning. A state or school NEC can perform these same functions. The benefit of having a nominating and elections committee is that the committee members can concentrate solely on this responsibility. Having a NEC may also increase visibility of and participation in your elections. By actively recruiting and screening candidates, your association has a better probability of filling all available positions on the board with students who are prepared to make a difference in your chapter.
How to Form a Nominating and Elections Committee
Each state and school chapter have a different way of selecting individuals to serve on the NEC. We suggest that, if possible, the NEC be separate from the Board of Directors. We also strongly suggest that members of the NEC not be eligible to be nominated as a candidate or apply for nomination for any elected position during that term. Both of these measures minimize a conflict of interest as the NEC prepares a slate of candidates.
At the national level, the House of Delegates at the annual convention elect members of the NEC at the same time that the Board of Directors is elected. Through this process, candidates become familiar with the campaign and election procedure. This prepares future committee members to be helpful to the candidates when it is their turn to oversee campaigning. Many chapters elect their NEC. If you feel that electing a NEC would not be feasible, consider appointing one or more students to serve on the committee.
When forming a nominating and elections committee, consult your own school and state bylaws. If your bylaws do not provide for a NEC, consider a bylaws amendment to allow for one.
Candidate Recruitment
Whether or not you have a formal NEC, active recruitment of candidates is essential to an effective election. Here are some suggestions:
Elections
Guidelines for State and School Chapters
The NSNA Nominating and Elections Committee (NEC) has compiled some suggestions on how to form an NEC at your chapter, as well as some ideas concerning candidate recruitment. We hope that this information is useful to you as you meet the needs of your organization.
Purpose of a Nominating and Elections Committee
At the national level, the purpose of the nominating and elections committee is to recruit qualified candidates for office, prepare the slate of candidates, and oversee campaigning. A state or school NEC can perform these same functions. The benefit of having a nominating and elections committee is that the committee members can concentrate solely on this responsibility. Having a NEC may also increase visibility of and participation in your elections. By actively recruiting and screening candidates, your association has a better probability of filling all available positions on the board with students who are prepared to make a difference in your chapter.
How to Form a Nominating and Elections Committee
Each state and school chapter have a different way of selecting individuals to serve on the NEC. We suggest that, if possible, the NEC be separate from the Board of Directors. We also strongly suggest that members of the NEC not be eligible to be nominated as a candidate or apply for nomination for any elected position during that term. Both of these measures minimize a conflict of interest as the NEC prepares a slate of candidates.
At the national level, the House of Delegates at the annual convention elect members of the NEC at the same time that the Board of Directors is elected. Through this process, candidates become familiar with the campaign and election procedure. This prepares future committee members to be helpful to the candidates when it is their turn to oversee campaigning. Many chapters elect their NEC. If you feel that electing a NEC would not be feasible, consider appointing one or more students to serve on the committee.
When forming a nominating and elections committee, consult your own school and state bylaws. If your bylaws do not provide for a NEC, consider a bylaws amendment to allow for one.
Candidate Recruitment
Whether or not you have a formal NEC, active recruitment of candidates is essential to an effective election. Here are some suggestions:
- Start early! Notify students early in the year so that they can prepare themselves for the responsibilities of holding office.
- Advertise! Write articles in your newsletter; prepare posters and flyers; make announcements in classes and at your chapter functions.
- Enlist the support of your faculty. Ask them to encourage involvement in your association. Often, faculty members will count some of the time spent in student association activities toward clinical or professional hours.
- Take advantage of your school curriculum. Some schools require courses in professional nursing. Arrange to make a presentation regarding the professional opportunities available to students through their own association.
- Identify students who have leadership skills and mentor them so that they will be prepared to serve your chapter.
- Encourage current board members to talk about the positive aspects of their positions. As they verbalize the benefits of being an officer, other students are more likely to realize that holding office can be a tremendously rewarding experience.
- Make your activities exciting and worthwhile. Well-organized, successful activities and programs are one of the best ways to generate interest among students.
- Love your job! Nobody wants to apply for a position that is discouraging and unrewarding. Of course, you need to be realistic, but don’t diminish the importance of what you do as a chapter officer.
- Make one-to-one contact with potential candidates to answer their questions and encourage them.
Elections
- Prepare an application form for candidates to fill out. This will help you know them better and will help them to solidify their commitment to run for office. It also helps you to verify the candidate’s credentials prior to the election.
- Make a deadline for the applications. Prepare a slate with those candidates who meet the deadline. This encourages students to commit to running and gives you time to organize the elections.
- At the national level, candidates who are not on the slate can’t campaign until they are nominated from the floor at the convention. You may consider doing this to encourage candidates to return their applications on time.
- Remind candidates that they don’t have to spend a great deal of money campaigning. Being informed and willing to serve will impress voters far more than the elaborate campaigning.
For a list of attributes and competencies for future nurse leaders and managers, click here.
For a FREE version of the Leadership Assessment for Student Nurses, click here.
For a FREE version of the Leadership Assessment for Student Nurses, click here.