Board ElectionsBK

Sister Cities International’s Board of Directors is elected by its voting members—local sister city organizations. The board elections include both electronic voting as well as in-person voting at the Annual Business Meeting held during Sister Cities International’s Annual Conference each year.

2020 Board Elections

Seven (7) At-Large Board positions will be filled by election. All seven (7) positions are for full three year terms (2020-2023). Voting will begin on June 1st, 2020 and is available through July 7th 2020, and will be conducted online. The ballot is available to view below.

View the 2020 Candidates Forum here  with the password: 6V*[email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions

Please note that some details have changed as we have switched to a Virtual Annual Conference.

• When is the election?

  After candidates have been certified by the Elections Committee of the Board of Directors they will be presented to Sister Cities International voters on May 8th via electronic communications as well as postings on our website. Voting will be open from June 1st until the Annual Business Meeting on July 7th.

• How will people vote?

  Voters will be sent an electronic ballot on June 1st and will conduct all voting online.

• Who are the voters?

  Directors are elected by SCI’s member communities, with one or more representatives from each community serving as the voter(s)/delegate(s). Electronic ballots are sent to the primary contact SCI has on record, which is often either the President  & CEO, Board Chair, or city liaison for a member community.

• Is voting weighted?

  Yes. Votes are weighted as either two, three, or four votes depending on the size of the community.

• What information will be presented to voters?

  Candidates’ answers to the narrative questions (bio, why you’re running, skills & assets) will be provided to members.

• When is the Annual Conference/Business Meeting?

  The Annual conference runs from July 8-9, with some Board committee meetings on the 8th and the Annual  Meeting will take place on July 9th.

• I can't attend the Annual Conference but would still like to run. Can I?

  No. All candidates must commit to attending the conference/annual meeting, and registration for the conference must be complete by April 10^th, before applicant is presented to membership as a certified candidate on May 8th.

• Can I bring campaign materials to the conference for distribution?

  Yes, candidates may distribute information at the conference but not during the Annual Meeting.

• When will the results be announced?

  Winners will be announced at the end of the Annual Business Meeting.

• How many directors serve on Sister Cities International's Board?

  There are up to 27 members of the Board of Directors, including the Chair, Immediate Past Chair (Chair Emeritus), twenty-one At-Large Members, one Young Professional Representative, one State Representative, and two members appointed by the Chair with the approval of the rest of the Board. The 21 At-Large Directors serve three-year terms, with the other five serving two year terms.

• How is the Board structured?

  The Executive Committee is composed of the Board Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, and two At-Large members. In addition to the Executive Committee, there are committees for Audit, Board Development, Finance, Fund Development, Governance, Human Resources, Membership, and Strategy & Programs. Committees include Directors, State Representatives, Honorary Board Members, or others appointed by the Board Chair. Ad hoc committees or task forces may also be created at the Chair’s discretion.

• How are the Officers selected?

  The Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, and the two At-Large Executive Committee members are elected by the Board during the final Board meeting at the Annual Conference, following the election and appointment of new Directors. Officers are elected each year, with the exception of the Vice Chair, who is elected every other year, and who assumes the position of Board Chair upon the expiration of the Chair’s term.

• What are the responsibilities of each Director?

  Each Director must attend four Board meetings throughout the year: two at the Annual Conference, which occurs in mid-July to early-August every year, one Fall Leadership Meeting, usually occurring in October with the location determined by the Board Chair, and one at the Spring Leadership Meeting, which generally occurs in March in Washington, DC. (dates and locations are subject to change). In addition, each Director must serve on at least one committee, which typically meets once per month via conference call, and which may include additional tasks depending on the committee. The Officers’ responsibilities can be found in Sister Cities International’s Bylaws.

• What is the financial commitment?

  Board members will make a meaningful personal Global Leaders Circle contribution of a minimum $2,500 for each calendar year (or portion of a calendar year) they serve on the Board of Directors. Board Member Global Leader Circle contributions are expected during the first quarter of each calendar year unless individual special installment arrangements are pre-approved by the Board Chair. In addition, each Director is expected to bear the cost of travel, hotel, and incidental expenses for the Annual Conference and two Leadership Meetings, as well as registration for the Annual Conference.

• What are other commitments to be aware of?

  Each Director must sign Sister Cities International’s Disclosure Statement, Conflict of Interest policy, and Code of Ethics upon assumption of Board duties.

• Are there term limits?

  Yes, each Director serves a maximum of two terms. However, the term of the Chair (two years) may be in addition to the two terms served as an elected Board member. After serving two consecutive terms a Director may run again after sitting off the Board for one year

• Where can I find copies of Sister Cities International's Bylaws and Board Policies?

  Bylaws, Board Policies, and other important institutional documents can be found at www. https://sistercities.org/governing- documents.

• Is there a Board orientation?

  Yes. Upon election to the Board new Directors will receive a brief orientation at the Annual Conference, prior to their first Board Meeting. The orientation will be held by the current Officers of the Board as well as Sister Cities International staff.

• Who should I contact if I have questions?

  Please contact Secretary of the Board, Clare Petrich at [email protected] or Vice Chair, Carol Robertson Lopez at [email protected]