Board Nomination FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the nomination process for the Catholic Media Association Board of Directors.

• What Board positions are up for election in 2024?
  • Member at Large
  • Magazine Member at Large
  • Newspaper Business Staff Member
 
• What Board positions were filled in 2023?
  • Treasurer
  • Western Region Representative
  • Southern Region Representative
  • Business Staff Member, Magazine
  • Publisher Member, Newspaper
  • Publisher Member, Magazine
 
• How long does each term last?
  • Terms are for three (3) years.
  • Terms begin at the annual member meeting of the Catholic Media Conference.
  • Directors may serve up to three (3) consecutive terms.
 
• Who is the ideal Board candidate?
  • Desired qualities to be considered include one or more of the following:
    • Leadership experience in business or administrative activities.
    • Breadth of knowledge about issues affecting Catholic media.
    • Ability to contribute special expertise to Board or committee activities.
 
• What criteria will the Nominating Committee use to select Board candidates?
  • Directors must be CMA members in good standing.
  • Director positions are based on categories of membership. Categories exist for publisher, magazine and newspaper representatives, as well as regional representatives, diocesan director of communications, and members at large.
  • If the Magazine Staff position is open, for example, the member must work for a magazine to be eligible for that position.
 
• What do Board members do?
  • The Board has oversight for the operations of the association and the work of the executive director and the CMA office staff. The executive director reports to the Board.
  • Directors meet by Zoom the third Thursday of each month for about 75 minutes.
  • They often chair or work on a committee but are not required to do so.
  • They attended the annual CMC and hold at least two meetings during that time span on Tuesday and Thursday.
  • Some years they are hosted at the site of the upcoming CMC in November or early December.
 
• What do Board members get in return for their service?
  • There is no monetary benefit to being a Board member, nor is there any monetary requirement attached to serving on the Board. 
  • The ability to help make a difference and shape the association are some of the benefits of serving.
  • It most cases additional participation and the ability to travel to the CMC on a yearly basis is a benefit of service.
 
• How much time does Board service require?
  • Outside of the monthly Zoom meetings it depends on the committees you volunteer for and specific tasks that the Board deems essential for the health of the association. 
  • It might average out to two hours per month in most cases.
 
• Can I nominate myself?
  • A member cannot nominate themselves as a candidate for the Board.
 
• What is the nominating process?
  • Nominations are done by the Nominating Committee in the vast majority of cases.
  • Members can nominate an individual if they are not satisfied with the work of the nominating committee. A group of 10 members agree to nominate a person.
  • Nominations are made to fill the positions according to the category of the position.
  • Candidates are contacted and asked to accept the position.
  • Candidates provide a photo and short bio to be viewed by voting members of the association.
 
• What if I’m nominated but not elected?
  • You may be nominated again for another position or may be asked to volunteer on a committee to increase your name recognition among members.
 
• How do I nominate a candidate?
  • Nominations are done by the Nominating Committee in the vast majority of cases.
  • Members can nominate an individual if they are not satisfied with the work of the Nominating Committee. A group of 10 members agree to nominate a person.
 
• When are nominations due?
  • According to CMA bylaws nominations must be completed 150 days prior to the members’ annual member meeting held during the Catholic Media Conference in June. 
 
• Where can I get additional questions answered?
  • You may contact the Executive Director of the Catholic Media Association for additional information or refer to the Catholic Media Association bylaws.
 
• When do elections take place?
  • Elections take place in the first quarter of the calendar year and adjusted to coincide with the members’ annual member meeting in June according to CMA bylaws. 
 
• When does the term begin?
  • The term officially begins on the date of the members’ annual meeting on the Thursday of the Catholic Media Conference, typically held in June.