SOA Board Recruiting and Selection Committee
The Governance and Policy Committee will be accepting applications for the 2027 SOA Board Recruiting and Selection Committee (BRSC), formerly as the Nominating Committee, during summer 2026. The Governance and Policy Committee will review all applications and will follow up with the selected candidates to schedule a brief video interview for additional information.
The SOA BRSC is responsible for nominating candidates for election in accordance with SOA policies and may establish guidelines for conducting elections consistent with those policies.
The nomination process starts each December when the Board’s Governance and Policy Committee and the BRSC identify the skills and experience the Board needs, based on initiatives in the SOA Strategic Plan and issues facing the SOA at the time. The BRSC provides public notice to members of the upcoming election and the call for nominations.
Any SOA Fellow can submit their name for election to the SOA Board as an Elected Board Member or President Elect and Vice Chair. Beginning in 2026, Fellows can also put their name in for both President Elect and Vice Chair and to be an elected Board member. However, they can be selected to run for only one of those positions.
The BRSC reviews all nominee applications, including background information. After nominees complete a questionnaire about Board service, the committee members interview candidates. The committee discusses possible candidates over the course of several weeks. Candidate evaluation is based on a variety of factors, including:
- The needs of the SOA
- Their commitment to the profession and the SOA
- Their ability to work well with others in a Board setting
- Their intellectual engagement with the issues currently facing the profession and the SOA
The BRSC presents a final ballot to the Board in June for approval that the BRSC completed its work and followed approved policies and procedures. Following that Board approval, the BRSC notifies nominees. Nominees are now endorsed candidates on the final ballot for member consideration.
Time Commitment
Most of the BRSC’s time commitment falls within the first six months of the year, particularly during the months of April and May.
- January-June: Monthly (or more if needed) 60-90 minute virtual meetings.
- May: One full day in-person meeting.
- April/May: Seven to ten 30-minute Zoom interviews with potential candidates, as well as an additional seven to nine 30-minute recorded interviews to watch.
- September: One 60-minute post-election virtual meeting.
- October: One potential in-person meeting in the fall.
Additional preparation includes reading nominee questionnaires and other election material.
Meeting and Travel Requirements
One in-person (fly-in, fly-out) meeting during the month of May in Chicago near O’Hare airport to assemble the ballot. Likely one in-person meeting during the SOA ImpACT Conference. All other meetings are virtual.
Responsibilities and Duties
The primary responsibility of the BRSC is to create a ballot with the best candidates for the annual Board of Directors election. This is accomplished by following the election process and being familiar with the guiding documents (SOA Bylaws, election policies and guidelines, and the current SOA Strategic Plan).
BRSC member responsibilities:
- Attend in-person and virtual meetings unless prevented by a significant conflicting time demand
- Participate respectfully in meetings (including virtual Zoom meetings) to the best of their ability
- Treat all information and discussions in a confidential manner
- Be open-minded
- Be respectful of different opinions
- Be able to see the big picture
- Exhibit no bias to or advocacy for any candidate(s) or issue(s)
For more in-depth information regarding the Board Recruiting and Selection Committee, please visit Election Process.