About Board Candidates
Nominating committees are always in the search for board members with potential. They search online for people interested in the position, such as LinkedIn and BoardnetUSA. They also reach out their networks, which includes staff, donors and volunteers to see if there is anyone who is interested.
In the process of selecting candidates the nominating committee must to consider what qualities they are looking for in the person they choose to be a board member. They are looking for someone able to provide a strong strategic leadership, and possess the right blend of experience and knowledge to help steer the organization.
One of the best ways to determine the best candidate is taking a look at their enthusiasm and commitment to your mission. If they are passionate about the cause they are more likely to make decisions that align with the mission and have the drive to continue pushing forward.
School board candidates, especially in district elections, usually are competing against other qualified candidates. This means that they need to be able to distinguish themselves from their opponents whether that’s by coming up with an appealing campaign slogan or by communicating an articulation of how they would improve the schools within their district.
Boards must also consider the personal traits of the candidate, such as confidence in oneself, intelligence, a high level of ethics, interpersonal skills, and the willingness of the candidate to be able to answer difficult questions. Additionally, it is important that the candidate has enough time to fulfill the duties of a member of the board.