ODTUG Board of Directors Nominations Coming Soon

With nominations for the ODTUG Board of Directors opening on September 7, 2021, we would like to remind our members of the changes we made to the election process and the reason for these changes.

Prior to this year, all directors were elected directly by the membership, who cast votes based on the number of open slots on the board and with successful candidates elected to two-year terms. At each annual election from now on, the members will directly elect two directors to three-year terms while the sitting board will conduct an internal election for one additional director with a three-year term.

This change was made because, for some time, the environment in which user groups operate and the specific needs of our community have been changing and an even more rapid, challenging, and drastic change has resulted due to COVID-19. During 2019, the board conducted a facilitated strategic planning exercise for ODTUG and established a governance subcommittee to make recommendations on (among other issues) the board selection process and how well-suited it was to provide both a) the stability of leadership needed to execute long-term strategic initiatives and b) the flexibility needed to ensure we retain necessary skills within the board, and we address the representation of existing or potential technology communities. The board believes that these changes best ensure the stability and flexibility needed to lead and serve the community, while the membership still retains overall control of elections.

During 2021 and 2022, the shift from two- to three-year terms will create a number of temporary one-year “gaps.” In 2022, there will be three such temporary gaps. All candidates will be made aware that, while they are running for a three-year term, they could end up serving a one-year term based on ranking from the membership vote. The candidates are not obligated to accept a one-year position if not elected to serve a three-year term.

For more information regarding these election process changes, please visit our Q&A blog and make sure to be on the lookout for the announcement regarding the opening of nominations.