6. Nominations and Elections

Per the Bylaw: The Nominating Committee shall bring forward a ballot of at least two (2) candidates and no more than three (3) candidates for the officer position of Vice President. The Nominating Committee will be chaired by the Immediate Past President and comprised of up to four additional members. The additional members will be selected by the Immediate Past President, and endorsed by the Board of Directors. These committee members must have served on the former GSF Executive Council or on the GSF Board of Directors within the last five years. Additionally, the committee members will represent the global diversity of the various Member Associations.

A call for nominations for the position of Vice President will be distributed to the Representatives of the member associations within four months prior to the GSF annual meeting with a notice of the call distributed to the GSF Board of Directors.

Vice Presidential candidates must be a current member of the GSF Board of Directors with at least one (1) year of GSF board service and in good standing. The name(s) submitted must meet the nomination criteria with relevant background information – see procedure document in Addendum C for guidance on relevant information.

The submission from a Board member must be a self-nomination.

The GSF Executive Director will collect and send the nomination materials to the Nominating Committee at least three months prior to the GSF annual meeting. Having identified the candidates, the Nominating Committee will carry out due diligence to ensure that the candidates they recommend to the GSF Board of Directors will be suitable for the position. The Nominating Committee will put forward at least two (2) and up to three (3) nominee recommendations. Each member of the Nominating Committee, including the chair, has one vote to establish the two to three nominees.

The Nominating Committee will contact the candidates to verify their intent to serve if selected.

An electronic ballot will be sent to each GSF Board Member, which will contain a video interview with each candidate conducted by the Nominating Committee chair.

There will be no campaigning allowed by or on behalf of the candidates. This includes (but is not limited to) letters, flyers, electronic mail, phone calls, and any form of soliciting votes in support or promotion of a candidate.

If a violation is observed or reported, the Nominating Committee chair will advise the GSF President who will call an emergency meeting of the GSF Board of Directors to consider the removal of the candidate from consideration.

The election process of the Vice President will take place via a secret electronic vote prior to the GSF annual meeting.

Each voting member of the GSF Board of Directors holds one vote for the position of Vice President. The nominee who receives the majority of votes for the position of Vice President will be deemed elected, using the process noted below.

• If there are two (2) nominees being put forward, the individual receiving more that the majority of votes will be deemed elected. If there is a tie, the Chair of the Nominating Committee will cast the deciding vote.

• If there are three (3) nominees being put forward, the individual receiving more than the majority of votes will be deemed elected. If there is not a majority reached on the first round of voting, the individual with the lowest number of votes will be removed from the ballot and second vote will be taken. The individual receiving more than the majority of votes in the second round will be deemed elected. If there is a tie of two (2) candidates on the second round of voting, the Chair of the Nominating Committee will cast the deciding vote.

The transfer of leadership positions officially takes place at the close of the annual convention at which the GSF is holding its annual meeting. The Vice President will serve for one year in that position, followed by one year as President-Elect, followed by one year as President, and followed by one year as Immediate Past President.

A call for nominations for the two non-determined Steering Committee positions will be distributed to the GSF Board of Directors at least 30 days prior to the GSF annual meeting. During the 30 days leading up to the GSF annual meeting, nominations will be accepted from member associations. Nominations will also be accepted from the floor during the GSF annual meeting.

During the appropriate portion of the GSF annual meeting, the GSF President will:

• Confirm the three (3) Steering Committee members representing the three (3) largest associations by membership count with the Executive Director, based on paid membership numbers 30 days prior to the AGM. To qualify as one of the three largest associations, an association must be GSF full members for at least five (5) years.
• Confirm that those candidates who are nominated for the remaining two positions on the Steering Committee are willing to serve.
• Allow each nominee three (3) minutes to speak to their desire and capabilities to serve on the Steering Committee.
• If there are two or less nominees, the GSF President will state “If there is no objection, we will accept the nominations as presented.” If no objections are heard, the President states, “Since there is no objection, the nominations are hereby accepted.”
• If there are more than two nominees, the President will call for a secret vote of the Directors. The Executive Director will collate the votes and the two nominees who receive the most votes will be elected. In the case of a tie, the Executive Director will ask the President to cast a tie-breaking vote. Once the voting is complete, the Executive Director will announce the results of the election to the GSF Board of Directors.

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