Nominating Procedures
- The Nominating Committee consists of six members who will be responsible for selecting a slate of candidates to run for open seats on the Standing Committee, the Nominating Committee, and among the Deacons. They shall nominate one or more candidates for each position to be filled by election at the next Spring Semi-Annual Meeting. This includes the Officers, two members-at-large of the Standing Committee, and members of the Nominating Committee for terms that are expiring, plus any elective positions in which a vacancy occurred during the previous year. In making nominations, the Nominating Committee shall strive for broad representation from the First Parish congregation in leadership positions, mindful of the congregational commitment to a build a multicultural community.
- The first meeting of the Nominating Committee shall take place no later than December. At its first meeting, the committee shall elect a Chair.
- The Nominating Committee shall welcome and encourage nominations and self-nominations from the congregation. It is suggested that Nominating Committee personally solicit nominations from a broad variety of groups, individuals, and leaders in the congregation, including the Standing Committee Chair and Senior Deacon, as well as the First Parish ministers. The Nominating Committee shall widely publicize every stage of the nominating and election process.
- The Nominating Committee shall meet with all candidates, including petition nominees, shall ascertain that all candidates are fully informed of the duties of the position and able to commit to service. The Nominating Committee shall collect candidate statements that include basic biographical information and information about the candidates’ previous volunteer experience at First Parish for inclusion in its final report to the Standing Committee and for distribution to the congregation. All candidates must be voting members of the First Parish in Cambridge.
- The Committee shall submit its list of nominees and candidate statements to the Standing Committee in time for its April meeting.
- The day following the meeting of the Standing Committee at which the list of nominees is submitted, the list and candidate statements shall be presented to the voting members of the Church electronically, and shall be presented in writing at the next Sunday worship following the Standing Committee meeting.
- Nominations may be made by petition of 15 or more voting members. Petitions and candidate statements must be submitted to the Nominating Committee by May 14.
- The Chair of the Nominating Committee shall present the slate and candidate statements at the Spring Semi-Annual Meeting. The final ballot shall include a list of all offices for which elections are to be held, and a list of all candidates for each office drawn at random at a meeting of the Nominating Committee. The ballot shall provide an opportunity to cast an explicit “nay” vote against any candidate running unopposed. No absentee or early ballots shall be accepted. Voters must be present for the Chair’s presentation of the slate, and any ensuing discussion.
3 Church Street, Harvard Square - Cambridge, MA 02138
617-876-7772
webmaster@firstparishcambridge.org
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Created by T. A. Ingram, UUFM, Mobile, AL