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Download forms (English, Spanish, French). Nominations close Sunday 28 July 2013
CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation is looking for nominations for election to its Board of Directors. As the term of the current Board draws to a close, we - the global civil society alliance dedicated to strengthening citizen action - are now searching for suitable civil society leaders to help steer and govern the organisation from the end of 2013 to the end of 2016.
1. How it works
Members of CIVICUS can now be nominated to stand for election to the new CIVICUS Board. Once the deadline(28 July 2013) has passed, a CIVICUS Nominations Committee (comprised of current Board members who will not be eligible to stand for election) will review the nominations received and select the 26 most suitable candidates to stand for election, who best fit the criteria outlined below.
An election will then be held, in which CIVICUS members with voting rights will elect 13 of the 26 candidates on the ballot paper. The 13 successful candidates will then be elected as the new Board of Directors, taking up their positions in November 2013 for a three-year term. The first meeting of the new Board is expected to take place in Johannesburg in the week beginning 11 November 2013. Board members appointed for the first term in 2013 will be eligible to stand for their second, final term again in 2016.
2. Eligibility
In order to stand for election, you must be a current member (organisational member or individual voting member) of CIVICUS, with paid membership dues. If you do not currently hold either membership, you will need to join as a member or renew your membership by 1 August 2013 or you would no longer be eligible to stand for election and cannot be selected on the ballot paper.
3. 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 26 candidates has good thematic, geographic and demographic balance, including marginalised groups, as well as a range of expertise covering the different functions of a Board. Nominees should meet the following criteria:
- a commitment to the organisation
- a willingness to devote the necessary time and effort
- strategic vision
- good, independent judgement
- an ability to think creatively
- a willingness to speak their mind
- an understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of a board member
- a current CIVICUS member, or prepared to join the alliance immediately
- an ability to work effectively as a member of a team
4. 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.
5. How to make a nomination
Please download and complete the Nominations Form in English, Spanish, French. You can nominate yourself or another candidate. However, if nominating someone else, please be sure to follow the requirement outlined in the Nominations Form, which involves making sure that your nominee also submits a letter of intent to the Nominations Committee.
To be considered, your nomination and/or the letter of intent must reach the Nominations Committee no later than Sunday 28 July 2013. We will aim to respond to each nominee shortly afterwards to let them know whether or not they have been shortlisted to stand for election.
You can submit nominations either by email () or by post to CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, PO Box 933, Southdale, 2135, Johannesburg, South Africa.
If you have any questions about the process, please contact . We thank you for your ongoing support and interest in CIVICUS.