Description of the nominations process

We encourage Member Organisations to begin thinking about any of their members who they may wish to nominate for the World Board 2023-2029.

Member Organisations may submit the name of one nominee only. This nominee may be from within their own Member Organisation or from any other Member Organisation (with the consent of that Member Organisation).

Member Organisations are free to consult with each other. Where a Member Organisation is a federation of two or more Associations, it is required to consult with its Component Associations before submitting a nomination. Nominations will only be accepted from Member Organisations, and not directly from Component Associations.

The Nominations Committee may also suggest names of possible candidates to Member Organisations for their consideration. The Member Organisation makes the final decision about whether it wishes to nominate the suggested individual.

Nominations will close at 23.59pm UTC on Tuesday 31 January 2023 and nomination forms received after this time will not be considered.

Procedure following nomination

Once the deadline for nominations has passed, the Head of Governance will pass on details of all the nominations received to the Nominations Committee who may then consult with the Member Organisation of the nominee directly, should they have any queries.

Members of the Nominations Committee will also contact nominees directly to discuss their application to ensure all information is captured and presented in a consistent manner. All nominees will be invited to attend an online interview conducted in English which will last approximately one hour. The interview will ensure that the nominee is eligible to stand and that the best examples of her skills and experience have been collected for the Election Booklet. It also provides an opportunity for the nominee to ask any questions they may have about the nominations process or about the role, and expectations if elected, of a World Board member.

On the nominations form, nominees will be asked to provide details of two potential referees who know them well – one from a Girl Guiding/Girl Scouting context and one from a personal/professional context. During the nominations process the Chair of the Nominations Committee will contact these referees to gain further insight into the nominee’s skills, experience and personal attributes.

 Should the Nominations Committee have significant concerns about a nominee’s ability to serve as a World Board member, the Chair of the Nominations Committee will contact their Member Organisation and discuss these concerns. The Nominations Committee may recommend that the Member Organisation withdraw the nominee from the nominations process. This part of the process is completely confidential.

In the case of a Member Organisation composed of two or more Component Associations, the Nominations Committee will only communicate with the Member Organisation nominating the nominee on the understanding that the Member Organisation will have cleared the nomination with the Component Associations before submitting a nomination.

The Nominations Committee will make every effort to ensure that at least two women under the age of 30 are included in the nominations, and may take further action if, at the time of closure of nominations, there are insufficient nominees in this category.

The Nominations Committee may also take further action if, at the time of closure of nominations, there are insufficient nominees with skill and experience in the areas identified and prioritised by the World Board, namely financial management, fund development and marketing and communications.

Responsibilities of Member Organisations and Nominees

Member Organisations and nominees are responsible for ensuring that the information given on the nominations form is correct to their knowledge and that they keep WAGGGS up to date with their contact details should these change after submitting the nominations form.

All nominations will be acknowledged by WAGGGS within 72 hours of receipt. If a nominee has not received a confirmation email within 72 hours of submitting their nomination form, the nominee is responsible for contacting WAGGGS to check if the nomination form has been safely received.

Nominees have a responsibility to actively participate in the nominations process and respond to requests for information and all communications from the Nominations Committee in a timely manner. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the Nominations Committee withdrawing the nominee from the nominations process. Before this step is taken, an official warning will be given to the nominee, with a copy sent to the relevant Member Organisation.

Confirmation of candidacy

Nominees become an official World Board candidate once they have been through the nominations process outlined above, and the Chair of the Nominations Committee has written to the nominee and Member Organisation to confirm that they are able to progress in the process as a candidate.

The names and particulars of those who have been confirmed as candidates will be circulated to Member Organisations in sufficient time before the World Conference. This allows time for the nominations to be considered by Full Member Organisations and for their delegates to the World Conference to be briefed.

Support for nominees/candidates

Throughout the nominations process leading up to the election at World Conference, members of the Nominations Committee will be available to provide support to nominees/candidates, including answering any questions about the process and/or the role of World Board member, and the compilation of the candidate’s profile in the election booklet.

Nominees will also be given the opportunity to speak with one or more of the current World Board members to gain further insight into the role of a World Board member.

In the lead up to the Conference candidates will be briefed on what is expected of them at the World Conference including guidelines on campaigning, opportunities to engage with Member Organisations before and during the Conference, and any presentations or speeches which may be required.

Proposed Timeline (subject to change)

 Questions

If you have any questions, please contact Grace-Anne Crichlow, Chair of the Nominations Committee ([email protected]) or Nicola Lawrence, Head of Governance ([email protected]) who will be happy to speak with you.