Nominating Committee

Purpose:    To select a slate of two candidates for each elective
office of the Association and present the slate to the membership
as outlined in the Bylaws.

Duties:     1.  Secure the permission of each candidate before
adding his or her name to the slate of officers.
            2.  Advise President of proposed slate and report to
Executive Board.
            3.  Provide biographical information for each
candidate to the Executive Secretary.
            4.  Announce the slate to the membership in the
Spring issue of The Southeastern Librarian prior to the election.
            5.  To provide for addition of other names to the
slate when proper petitions have been submitted.

History:
            The committee was established in 1926 and consists of
at least one member from each constituent state.  The President
appoints the Committee and designates the chairperson, with the
approval of the Executive Board.

Guidelines:
            The committee's mission is to identify candidates to
serve in the major leadership roles of the Association.  Every
effort should be made to consider a broad representation of the
membership, although no specific quotas are required.

            1.  Each member represents a constituent state and
may nominate two preliminary candidates to be considered for each
office.
            2.  In making nominations committee members should
consider:
                a.  Nominee's history of activities and
involvement in SELA
                b.  Representation of different areas of library
service by candidates
                c.  Geographical representation of candidates and
states in the Association
                d.  Representation of minorities
                e.  Professional leadership, commitment, and
abilities demonstrated by candidates.
            3.  The term for all elected officers is two years,
and no incumbent may succeed himself/herself in office.
            4.  The committee shall draft a biennial schedule in
order to fulfill duties and follow established procedures.

                Suggested Timetable for the Nominating Process

First Year of Biennium
March 31            Chair sends letter to committee members with
guidelines, timetable, nominating forms, list of other committee  
members.

March-April         Committee members identify potential nominees
and contact them for preliminary agreement to be considered by
the committee.

May 1               Committee members submit completed nominating
forms to Chair.

June 1              Chair compiles nominating forms and sends
complete list or copies of forms to all committee members.

August 3            Committee members assign numerical ranking to
nominees for each office and submit completed forms to chair.

August-September    Chair compiles master list of candidates by
ranking.

September 25        Nominating Committee meets to discuss final
rankings and to prepare list of candidates to be contacted for    
acceptance of official nomination.
                      - A final slate of two nominees for each
office is required
                      - Four alternate candidates are selected
for each office in case the first choices of the committee do not 
accept the nomination

October-November    Candidates for each office are contacted by a
designated Committee member for acceptance of the nomination.     
Biographical information is requested (due to committee           
chair before January 1 of second year of biennium of              
election year.)November 16         Chair sends final slate of two candidates for
each office to committee members and SELA president for report to 
Executive Board.

Second Year of Biennium (Election Year)
February 1          Deadline:  SELA slate of officers with
biographical material for each nominee sent to SELA Headquarters
(for publication in Spring Issue of The Southeastern              
Librarian).