ONA is pleased to announce a new selection process for the board of directors.

Each year, the Nominating Committee presents a slate of candidates to the membership for its approval. It is the responsibility of the Nominating Committee to present a slate that reflects a diversity of interests in the make-up of the board. These interests include:

• Types of online medium represented on the board.
• Sizes of institutions represented by the individual member.
• Type of experience in digital media.
• Representation that reflects the diverse communities that journalism serves.
• Executive experience, especially in strategic planning and program development.

Beginning this year, the Nominating Committee will accept nominations for the board from the membership. These nominations will be considered for inclusion on the slate that is presented to the membership for voting. Professional members will have the opportunity to vote for individual nominees on the slate to fill the number of vacancies on the board.

To have your name placed in nomination for the board, you must be nominated by an ONA member. Both the nominee and the member making the nomination must be professional members in good standing.

The nominee must meet one of two board qualification criteria and be prepared to carry out board responsibilities. The criteria are:

• Has demonstrated a commitment to ONA by having been active in ONA. Activities can include serving as an active member of a committee or initiative.
• Has demonstrated a commitment to online journalism by having been active within his or her place of employment, within the digital news business or within a related field.

The nominee, if elected, must be prepared to fulfill the following responsibilities as outlined in the ONA board member job description:

ONA requires an active and engaged board to continue its growth and success.

Board members are committed to editorial independence, journalistic excellence, freedom of expression and freedom of access in digital media.

Board members are committed to developing and supporting a new generation of online journalists through ONA's programs, particularly its annual conference, the Online Journalism Awards, regional events, publications and partnerships with other journalism organizations.

Board members are required to participate in a monthly conference call, attend three board meetings (two of them in person) and serve on one standing committee.

Board members may be asked to lead or participate in various initiatives, including fund-raising or representing ONA at industry events; chair or serve on ad hoc committees; host local events; or stand for election for one the four board officer positions (President, Vice President, Secretary or Treasurer).

Board members should be familiar with the association bylaws and the organization’s history.

Board terms are for two years and are staggered. A board member cannot serve more than three consecutive terms.

For 2006, there are seven open positions available.

If you are interested in serving on the board, have an ONA member nominate you by filling out the following form when nominations open.

Here is the schedule for the board election:

Wednesday, Sept. 21: Nominations opens.
Friday, Sept. 30: Nominations close, 5 p.m. eastern time.
Monday, Oct. 10: Proposed slate presented to board for approval.
Wednesday, Oct. 12: 2006 slate present to membership.
Wednesday, Oct. 19: Online voting opens.
Wednesday, Oct. 26: Online voting ends, 5 p.m. eastern time.
Saturday, Oct. 29: New board members announced.

If you have questions, please contact ONA’s executive director Tom Regan at tom@tomregan.com.