AIUSA Board of Directors
AIUSA is governed by a National Board of Directors with 18 elected members that meet quarterly. The board is responsible for developing a clear goal and priority- setting vision for the organization while establishing, evaluating, and revising AIUSA policy.
The Board represents the membership of AIUSA to the international movement and to external organizations and the media. It is responsible for the financial health of the organization and supervises the work of the Executive Director, who directs the work of the professional staff. Board meetings are open to any AIUSA member. In addition, full Board minutes are available through your Regional Office and on the AIUSA website. A summary of the minutes is distributed regularly through Connect (AIUSA’s monthly mailing).
AIUSA Board Election Process
AIUSA is a grassroots organization whose membership elects the Board of Directors. All Board members are elected to staggered three-year terms; six Board members are elected each year.
A Nominating Committee made up of AIUSA volunteers recommends a short list of candidates to the Board of Directors. The Board then votes on the proposed candidates and may add or subtract individuals from the slate. Those candidates approved by the Board are placed on the ballot. A petition process exists by which members may also be placed on the ballot. Any member may petition to be placed on the ballot by collecting 100 valid signatures of current members of AIUSA on special petitions, which must be requested from the Board Office at the New York Office.
A ballot is mailed to all eligible voters and includes a proxy form, on which voters can identify their choices. The proxy forms are received and tabulated by an independent firm, which counts the votes and reports the results to the Officer of the Election. The entire process is overseen by the Officer of the Election, usually the General Secretary of the current Board of Directors.
Nominations
Board members must exhibit a strong commitment to human rights and to the work of AIUSA by participating in Board meetings and tasks and in the various membership activities and structures at the local, regional, and national levels.
The Nominating Committee seeks input from members to help identify a diverse selection of AIUSA members to stand for nomination and election to the board. Any member of AIUSA may complete a questionnaire and submit a resume for consideration by the Nominating Committee. (Contact aiusa-nomcom@aiusa.org for annual deadline.) Resumes should be sent to the Board Office care of AIUSA’s national office in New York. The deadline for submissions is usually early in the summer.
