Nominations for appointments to the CIVICUS Board of Directors
19 June 2017
CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation is looking for nominations for election to its Board of Directors.
BACKGROUND
As per the decision taken by the Board in 2015, a staggered rotational board election system was introduced so that half of the Board of Directors’ positions would be up for election every 18 months for a 3 year term. The aim of this staggered rotation is to ensure continuity on the board and in our decision making processes. In order to ensure this transition happens, current Board members Xu Bin, Joanna Kerr, Anne Firth Murray, Pauline Wanja Kamua, Elisa Peter and Sylvia Karlsson-Vinkhuyzen have volunteered to step down in December 2017.
The global civil society alliance dedicated to strengthening citizen action is now searching for committed, diverse and passionate civil society leaders to join the 8 remaining current board members in helping to steer and govern the alliance.
HOW IT WORKS:
CIVICUS voting members can now be nominated to stand for election for the new CIVICUS Board. Once the deadline has passed, a CIVICUS Nominations Committee will review the nominations received and select the 12 most suitable candidates, who best fit the criteria outlined below, to stand for election, .
An election will then be held from 31 August 2017 to 30 October 2017, in which CIVICUS members with voting rights will cast their votes. The successful candidates will join the remaining 8 Board or Directors and take up their Board positions in January 2018 for a three-year staggered term.
1. Eligibility
In order to stand for election, you must be a verified organisation or individual voting member of CIVICUS, with paid membership dues. If you do not currently hold either membership, you will need to be a confirmed voting member by 9 August 2017 or you would no longer be eligible to stand for election and would not be able to be selected for the ballot paper.
2. Criteria
The CIVICUS Board is looking for suitable candidates with strong experience and knowledge of strengthening citizen action and civil society around the world. In addition to evaluating the applicants' match against the individual criteria listed below, the CIVICUS Nominations Committee will be looking to make sure that the final ballot paper of 12 candidates has good thematic, geographic / regional (Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania) and demographic balance (including marginalised groups and youth representation); a range of expertise for different Board functions (emphasis on a financial background); a gender balance; as well as a balance of grassroots / informal groups versus established / formal groups balance. Nominees should meet the following criteria:
- Commitment: to the organisation, support for the CIVICUS Mission, Vision, Values, Goals and Programmes;
- Service: a willingness to devote the necessary time and effort, serving on committees and representing CIVICUS from time to time. The Board usually meets face to face twice a year for 2 days generally, once in Johannesburg and once somewhere else in the world. In addition to these days (and travel time), Board member are usually involved in at least one committee, each of which meets virtually 6 times a year for 2 hours usually.
- Strategic vision: prepare and adhere to a sound strategic plan that provides measurable goals and ensures ongoing financial resources to support the organisation's staffing and programmes;
- Accountability;
- Good, independent judgement;
- Innovation: an ability to think creatively;
- Candidness: a willingness to speak their mind;
- Enthusiasm: eager to learn, willing to be team players, and energetic in their service;
- Responsibility: understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of a Board member;
- Team work: an ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
3. Duties
The CIVICUS Board generally meets twice a year, in different locations around the world, with additional committee meetings conducted via teleconferences in between meetings.
The duties of a Board Member are:
- To ensure that the organisation complies with its governing document and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
- To ensure that the organisation pursues its objects as defined in its governing document.
- To ensure the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects.
- To contribute actively to the board role in giving strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
- To safeguard the good name and values of the organisation.
- To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.
- To ensure the financial stability of the organisation.
- To protect and manage the property of the organisation and to ensure the proper investment of the organisation's funds.
- To appoint the chief executive officer and monitor his/her performance.
In addition to the above duties, each Board Member should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the board of trustees reach sound decisions. This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.
Please note that this is not a paid post. However, CIVICUS will reimburse reasonable expenses associated with Board duties, including travel and accommodation at Board meetings.
4. How to make a nomination
Please complete the Nominations Form online, available in English, Spanish and French. If you are unable to complete the nominations form online, you can download the relevant forms in English, Spanish or French and submit them to .
You can nominate yourself or another candidate. However, if nominating someone else, please be sure to follow the requirements outlined in the Nominations Form, which involve making sure that (a) you/your organisation and the nominee are verified voting members; (b) your nominee submits a letter of intent; and (c) your nominee submits a high-resolution headshot of themselves.
To be considered, your nomination and/or the letter of intent must be submitted and reach the Nominations Committee no later than midnight GMT+2 Wednesday 9 August. We will aim to respond to each nominee by Monday 28 August 2017 to inform them of their nomination outcome.
If you have any question regarding the process, please contact .
We thank you for your ongoing support and interest in CIVICUS.
