Call for Board Nominees 2016

AIGA DC is run by an all-volunteer* board of local members,** comprised of working designers and creative professionals. To date, all DC board members have been solicited by nominations, often recruited after volunteering for an event or serving on a committee.

Until Monday, May 9, AIGA DC will be soliciting nominations for new board members. By nominating yourself or someone else, you can help guide the activities of our chapter!

What we’re looking for

This year, we are soliciting nominations for up to six new board members. Roles we are looking to fill include:

  • Secretary/Treasurer
  • Salon & Volunteer Coordinator
  • Communications Coordinator, Blog
  • Programming Coordinator, Fellow Award
  • Programming Coordinator, AIGA 50 Advance
  • Education Coordinator, Portfolio Review & Office Hours

Board members do not necessarily need to be designers, but will have an interest in supporting the design community. Examples of non-design board members include but are not limited to: writers, engineers, content strategists, development or fundraising specialists, project managers, and business owners.

AIGA DC board members get training specific to their roles at our mandatory local board retreat in the summer and throughout the year with guidance from more senior board members. Because of this, our search focuses on candidates with valuable soft skills (teamwork, communication, flexibility, patience, time management, motivation).

It’s important to our chapter that the AIGA DC board be diverse and represent the DC design community. We aim to have a board with diversity in industry, age, gender, professional experience, race, background, education, income, physical ability, and more. That said, we will not pry for personal information.

Important things to keep in mind while considering whom to nominate

In agreeing to serve on the board, one commits to serve for two years and to be responsible for chairing at least one program or working directly with a supervisory board member in their first year on the board. Second-year responsibilities are dependent upon the individual and open positions on the board. Board members may serve longer than two years.

Being a board member means one must be an ambassador of AIGA to members and non-members. The nominees must be (or become) AIGA DC members in good standing at Supporting level or above in order to serve on the board. Visit AIGA.org/join to find out more about membership options.

How to nominate yourself or someone else

Submit the nominee’s full name, email, professional and/or AIGA-related experience (if applicable), and the reasons why they (or you) would be a great addition to the board.

If nominating yourself, also provide a reference or recommendation and consider sending a few writing samples along. Writing samples are required for candidates interested in the Communications Coordinator role.

Email your nominations and any questions you have about this process or board duties no later than Monday, May 9, 2016, to Rica Rosario (rica@aigadc.org).

What happens after you submit your nomination?

A mandatory information session will be held for all nominees. After the information session, a nominating committee will review nominees and recommend new board members. Per DC chapter by-laws, the committee will take into account the professional diversity of the membership and the need to represent the interests of the entire chapter membership. The nominating committee will consist of the current president, two or three members of the current board, one advisory board member, and one member-at-large.

Important Dates

  • Nomination Period Opens – Monday, April 4, 2016
  • Nomination Period Closes – Monday, May 9, 2016
  • Mandatory Information Session – Tuesday, May 17, 2016 @ 6:30pm
  • Mandatory Local Board Retreat – Mid-July 2016 **FULL WEEKEND**
*Nationally, AIGA mandates that members participate directly in governance of the organization.
**Board positions are not paid.
When & Where
Mon, Apr 4, 2016 - Mon, May 9, 2016