Nominations for Upcoming Board Vacancy

Introduction
On Monday, May 22nd at 1900 in the Protea Room, the Board of Directors will hold their annual Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) for Board elections. There is one vacancy for the 2017-18 school year, which must be occupied by someone affiliated with the U.S. government (employee or spouse). Please see below for more details.
 
The Role of the AISL Board of Directors
The AISL Board of Directors is the governing body of the school and serves as the guardian of the school's mission and vision. It is the board's responsibility to ensure that the mission is relevant and vital to the community it serves and to monitor the success of the school in fulfilling its mission.
 
More specifically, the basic responsibilities of the AISL Board of Directors are as follows:

1. To determine the school’s vision, mission, core values, and purpose.
2. To engage in long-term planning (strategic plan, facilities master plan, long-term financial plan, etc.) to support continuous improvement and realize the school’s vision, mission, core values and purpose.
3. To exercise fiduciary responsibility and oversight: approve the annual budget and set school fees.
4. To appoint and evaluate the School Director.
5. To set and monitor school policy.
6. To ensure legal and ethical integrity and maintain accountability.
7. To recruit and orient new board members and assess board performance.

 
A seven-member Board of Directors governs AISL. According to the school’s by-laws, the US Ambassador to Zambia appoints two of the Board members, and one of those appointed Board members will also serve as the Chairperson of the Board. The five remaining members are elected by the AISL Parent Association, which is composed of parents and legal guardians of students who are enrolled at AISL. Of these members, two must be affiliated with the US Government, and the other three are elected from the general parent community. Board members serve for two years and are eligible for re-election.
The following positions are open next year on the AISL Board of Directors:  

• 1 elected position affiliated with the US Government (employee or spouse of an employee)

 
Nomination and Election Procedure
The AISL Board nomination process for elected candidates and election timeline and procedures are as follows:
 
Timeline & Procedure
By Friday, May 5th
Nominations must be submitted to Shantall Adonis in person or via email at sadonis@aislusaka.org. Each candidate must be nominated by a minimum of two members of the AISL Parent Association in order to run for the AISL Board of Directors. Candidates must be members of the AISL Parent Association. Shantall will have nomination forms at reception.

By Wednesday, May 10th  
Candidates submit an electronic copy of a brief statement and biography (250 words or less) to Shantall Adonis. This will be printed in the Leopard’s Tale.

By Thursday, May 11th
List of candidates along with brief statements/biographies will be published in the Leopard’s Tale.

Monday, May 22nd at 19.00
EGM: Presentation of Board candidates and elections in the Protea Tree Conference Room. Candidates will have the opportunity to make a brief speech up to five minutes in length.

Notes:

• If the vacant position is contested, then each AISL Parent Association member may cast one secret ballot in person at the meeting on Monday, May 22 at 19.00. There shall be no voting by proxy.
• Ballots indicating a selection of candidates less or more than the number of vacancies to be filled shall be declared void.
• Candidates receiving the largest number of votes shall be deemed elected.  In case of a tie vote, a runoff election shall be held immediately.

Closing
The democratic process plays an important role in our school community, particularly in regard to the strategic direction and continuous improvement of AISL. Seeking to serve on the AISL Board of Directors and/or casting your vote as a member of the AISL Parent Association presents a wonderful opportunity to engage in the democratic process and make a positive contribution to the education of your children. I hope to see you on Monday, May 22nd at 19.00. 
 
If you are considering a nomination for the AISL Board of Directors and have some questions, please feel free to contact the School Director or any Board member.