Nominee Evaluation Criteria

Sustaining Members in good standing, Life Members and Legacy Members of the Alumni Association are eligible for nomination to the Board and to vote in director elections. A Sustaining Member is considered in good standing when said member has made the required membership investment on a current annual basis as defined by the Board of Directors.

To be eligible for consideration by the Nominating Committee, nominees must:

  • Be a UMass Amherst alumna/us
  • Meet membership eligibility requirements as noted above
  • Meet eligibility requirements for maximum allowable years of consecutive Board service
  • Sign and pledge to abide by the Volunteer Code of Conduct
  • Submit a complete and timely nominee application

Additionally, the Nominating Committee will utilize the nominee application and interview process to consider, at minimum, the following criteria when making final determination of the nominees to be included on the ballots:

  • Leadership qualities
    • Articulate, persuasive and engaging communicator
    • Demonstrated ability to motivate others, problem-solve, resolve conflicts
    • Experience working collaboratively towards common goals
  • Strategic orientation
    • Ability to think critically
    • Aptitude for long-range planning in support of organizational mission
    • Experience developing goals and measurable outcomes
  • Professional expertise or educational background in select industries to assist AA in achieving current organizational goals:
    • Human Resources or Career Services
    • Communications or Public Relations
    • Non-Profit or Association Management
    • Audit or Accounting Services
    • Social Media or Internet Technologies
    • Marketing
    • Business Development or Fundraising
  • Volunteer experience
    • Current or past participation and leadership experience in AA, UMass Amherst or other volunteer programs
    • Ability and willingness to meet all Director responsibilities
  • Diversity and Inclusion
    • Ability to work respectfully with a variety of constituencies with multiple interests and experiences
    • Commitment to supporting culture of diversity and inclusion in all AA programs and communications
  • Diverse Board Representation
    • Graduation decade
    • Gender
    • Race/Ethnicity
    • School or College
    • Degree and major
    • Geographic location

The Nominating Committee may disqualify any nominee for just cause.  Just cause may include, but is not limited to:

  • Conflict of interest
  • Failure to comply with nomination procedures and timelines
  • Failure to sign or violation of the Volunteer Code of Conduct
  • Failure of a current or past board member to maintain a minimum attendance record at Board and committee meetings of 50% during their term of office without just cause.