Thinking about running for office in IPSS?
We have provided information below outlining what is expected of each Officer and Director position, the respective role and function, and requisite skills. The Board of Directors Commitment Statement is also included. New and continuing Board members will be expected reaffirm their commitment each year when the Board of Directors is installed.
The call for IPSS Board Nominations takes place each winter and the election is held in the Spring. Please review in full before submitting your nomination for an open position.
Here are a few basic details to get you started. Download the full document
Composition
The Board of Directors shall consist of five officers including President, President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and Immediate Past President; the Executive Director; and a maximum of nine elected directors. The Executive Committee shall comprise the five officers and the Executive Director (non-voting).
Qualifications & Eligibility
In order to accept a nomination for office, a candidate must have been an IPSS member for at least two years and hold a current membership during their term. It is a desirable that a candidate has previously been an active member to a Committee.
In addition to the above, candidate for the office of the President-Elect, Secretary and Treasurer should have shown active involvement in Society matters by serving on a Committee AND served a prior term as a Director on the IPSS Board.
Term of Service
Directors are elected to serve a two-year term, according to the IPSS Bylaws, and can be re-elected to a second term of two years. The offices of Secretary and Treasurer are two-year terms and can be re-elected to a second term of two years. President-Elect will serve a three-year term in the role of President-Elect, President and Immediate Past President (1 year each, respectively).
Directors and Officers can be appointed positions for a one- or two-year term and can be re-appointed for another one- or two-year term (not exceeding 3 years total).
Time Commitment
Directors are required to attend 8-10 board meetings each year. Virtual meetings are held each month and face-to-face meetings are generally planned around the IPSS Annual Conference and IMSH Conference (a virtual option is provided for those not attending in-person). Board meeting attendance and additional phone meetings often involve both weekday and weekend time commitments and shift to accommodate the time zones of our global board.
Additionally, directors should anticipate committing approximately 8-10 hours per month on activities including, but not limited to, conference calls, committee activities, or special project work. The time commitment may vary depending upon the activities of the individual director or officer. The Officers, especially the President, can expect a more substantial time commitment of their role.
Candidate Criteria
The Leadership Cultivation and Nominations committee is responsible for reviewing nominations and presenting a competitive slate of candidates to the Board of Directors for the election each year. All nominations will be reviewed and considered as the committee works to build a balanced board reflecting the diversity of IPSS membership and ensuring the future needs and growth of the organization are met and in line with the IPSS Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement. As is typical for most organizations, we anticipate that not all qualified nominations will be accepted for the election slate each year and with this in mind, the LCNC will work with those individuals to create meaningful pathways of engagement in IPSS as appropriate.
Board candidates must be current IPSS members with sufficient involvement and knowledge, leadership experience, and dedication to the society’s mission. Questions the LCNC might consider as they review nominations:
Leadership strengths, skills and interests. Do you have previous board experience? What other comparable leadership experience do you have? How long and in what capacities have you been involved with the society or in the profession? Do you have a working knowledge of IPSS’s history, mission and goals?
Diversity. IPSS values and is dedicated to increasing diversity in all aspects (IPSS Diversity & Inclusion Statement). What will a candidate bring to the board’s composition? How will broad representation of the community served be reflected in the board—age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, experience level, and type, size, location of professional environments?
Personal attributes and style. Members-at-large look to Board members as role models. Are you committed to diversity? Are you ethical? Are you easy to approach and known to be a good listener? Do you work to build consensus? Do you have good interpersonal skills? Do you take responsibility and follow through on assignments? Do you emulate IPSS’s core values?
Desired Skills & Experience
SKILLS & INTERESTS
- Proven interest in our mission
- Working knowledge of IPSS’s history, mission and goals.
- Commitment to maintaining a strong organization that is responsive to our membership.
- Working knowledge of bylaws and policies.
- Professional knowledge and skills needed by the board
- Connections in the community
- Fundraising experience and willingness to participate
- Previous board experience or board training
- Institutional support for active participation as a board member and funding for attendance at the Annual Conference.
PERSONALITY & LEADERSHIP
- Ability to listen well
- Ability to express ideas and opinions clearly
- Ability to participate effectively in a conversation (neither monopolizing nor refraining)
- Ability to handle IPSS business with tact, enthusiasm and commitment.
- Sense of humor, positive presence
- Ability to work well with people.
- Ability to motivate committee members/project workgroups.
- Ability to take responsibility and follow through on assignments.
- Ability to participate on a regular basis in the board’s work
Benefits of Leadership
- Leadership is an opportunity to make a difference in IPSS, the pediatric simulation field, and the global community,
- Leadership provides an opportunity to identify needs and to support and achieve organizational and professional goals.
- IPSS leaders gain experience in building and working with groups and develop individual leadership skills through professional development activities.
- Leaders promote and develop leadership in others.
- The IPSS Board of Directors helps to shape the organization’s direction and its future.
Role, Function & Requisite Skills
Click here to see roles, functions and requisite skills for each Officer position and for Directors.
Board Commitment Statement
Click here to review the Board Commitment Statement.
Questions
If you have any questions about a position or the nominations process please contact Roberta Hales, Leadership Cultivation & Nominations Committee Chair, at xxxxx. You can learn more about the charge of the Leadership Cultivation & Elections Committee on the Committee webpage.