Perhaps you’re ready to think about something hopeful for the future. Something besides COVID-19.

One way to look forward and help support your community of freelancers in this difficult moment and beyond is to participate in election season at the EFA.

Like other not-for-profit, all-volunteer organizations, the EFA relies on its members for ideas, initiatives, and getting things done. If you’d like to have a greater say in the EFA’s activities, now is your chance—nominations are now open for the Board of Governors.

Serving on the Board of Governors is a great way for emerging and veteran freelancers alike to build job skills and visibility among their colleagues. Volunteering enhances your resumé, and your fellow board members and committee chairs make great references.

This year we are electing:

• one co-executive (serving a two-year term). Primary duties are to oversee the management of the EFA’s affairs, to preside at board or membership meetings, and to see that all orders and resolutions of the board are carried out. The co-executives preside in rotation over regular board meetings, with the presiding member voting only in the event of a tie. One co-executive is elected each June.
• one secretary (serving a two-year term). The secretary participates in and keeps the minutes of board meetings. With help from our awesome office staff, the secretary communicates with the membership about the annual election; solicits, collects, compiles, and communicates nomination statements; sends out voting announcements and reminders; and tallies and publishes results. The secretary also participates in executive committee meetings.
• seven members at large (each serving a one-year term). Members at large represent the interests of a broad base of members, assist other governors and committees with EFA business, and promote the EFA to members and potential members and to the publishing industry. MALs can serve on standing committees; assist with ad hoc committees, special projects, and membership surveys; and participate in non-executive board business. Current standing committees are Education, Events, Diversity Initiative, Freelancer Newsletter, Website, Publications, Membership and Benefits, Chapter Development, Job List/Discussion List, and Social Media.

Membership requirements. Membership in good standing is a requirement for all board members. Those running for executive positions must have been in good standing for at least 12 months before the election. There is no minimum membership requirement for members at large.

How to nominate. You may nominate someone else or yourself. To do so, paste (no attachments, please) candidate statements of not more than 150 words each into an email and send to secretary@the-efa.org. Include full contact details for both nominator and nominee (if you nominate yourself, you are both nominator and nominee). Click here for statement examples. Deadline for receipt of nomination statements is 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on May 8.

Duties of the Board of Governors. Residing in or near New York City is NOT a requirement for election to the board. Joining the EFA board is a commitment of time and energy, but it is not an onerous one. Most board members find they spend only a few hours a month on EFA business in addition to board meetings. Board members are expected to attend online meetings held from 6:15 to 8:15 p.m. Eastern time on the first Wednesday of every month (except July). Meetings are open to the full membership. In addition to attending meetings, board members take active roles in telephone and online discussions of EFA matters throughout the year as we adopt and manage an annual budget, determine policy, and set EFA goals and benchmarks. Outside of the eleven monthly meetings, we remain in touch through board-only messaging on Groups.io.

For more information, see About the Board.

Voting process. Voting is done electronically. Information about the election (including candidate statements and ballots) will be delivered electronically. Please add office@the-efa.org to your address book to ensure that you receive all EFA emails. Otherwise they may be identified as spam, filtered by your internet service provider, or end up in a junk folder.

Election Cycle 2020

May 8: Nominations and statements are due
May 22: Candidates are announced and statements are published
June 1: Voting opens
June 15: Voting closes
June 17: Annual meeting, results announced
June 18: Results emailed to membership

Get ready to throw your hat into the ring!

Joy Drohan
Secretary
EFA Board of Governors