Selecting Chapter Board Co-Chairs and Other Officers
GLSEN Chapter Board Co-Chairs play a crucial role in leading the work of a local
Chapter. In selecting their leaders, Board members should focus on identifying
candidates with specific skills, as well as a strong commitment to fulfilling the
responsibilities of the position.
The Chapter Bylaws provide that the Chapter Co-Chairs, the Treasurer, and the
Secretary shall be elected by the Chapter Board by secret ballot at the annual
organizational meeting of the Chapter Board.
At a meeting prior to the annual meeting, the Chapter Board should discuss whether
the current Co-Chairs intend to stand for re-election and whether there are other
Board members who wish to be considered for a Co-Chair position. The Chapter
should also consider factors such as the advisability of staggering the terms of CoChairs and the pros and cons of new versus continuing leadership.
Candidates for the Co-Chair position should provide information to their Chapter
Board demonstrating qualifications in two major ways:
1. That they are qualified to perform the responsibilities of the Co-Chair position (as
outlined in the Co-Chair job description), including:
•
•
•
•
•
Providing leadership to the Board, such as managing Board meetings,
recruitment, and training
Assuming charge of the affairs of the chapter with the powers and duties
usually incident to the office of CEO, including ultimate oversight of strategy,
programs, finances, fundraising, and operations.
Serving as the primary liaison between the Chapter Board and the national
organization and staff
Acting as the primary spokesperson for the chapter in dealing with the media
(in consultation with GLSEN national) and spearheading work on local
messaging
In chapters with paid staff, supervising the chapter director or other paid staff
2. That they believe they possess the following skills and attributes:










Knowledge of and commitment to GLSEN’s mission
Experience as a member of the Chapter Board
Strong commitment to fulfilling the responsibilities of the position
Experience in volunteer leadership and/or management
Ability to facilitate decision-making processes for the Chapter Board, including
bringing discussions to resolution and putting plans into action
Ability to manage and resolve conflicts within the Board
Ability to engage and lead Chapter volunteers in GLSEN work
Ability to communicate effectively
Familiarity with basic financial reporting mechanisms
Adherence to the highest standards of personal conduct, with a commitment
to act in an ethical, honest, collegial, and professional manner
A Chapter Board should develop a process appropriate to its Chapter to evaluate
whether a candidate meets the foregoing requirements. This might include Board
interviews, a Co-Chair application, candidate biography, a presentation to the Board,
references, personal working testimonials of Board members, or such similar
communication and verification methods.
Chapter Boards should avoid creating situations of perceived or actual conflicts of
interest. For example, Chapters should avoid electing to the Board persons related
to Board members or putting a person in a position that supervises a related person.
A related person is a domestic partner, spouse, child, mother, father, brother, or
sister, and includes relatives related by domestic partnership, marriage, adoption, or
birth.
Also, Chapters should scrutinize the election to the Chapter Board – and particularly
to the Co-Chair position – of any person who has in the past financially benefited
from, or could be expected in the future to benefit from (directly or indirectly), a
transaction with the Chapter or with GLSEN.
Once the Board has elected a Co-Chair, it should forward its decision to its Chapter
Support Staff liaison along with information about the Co-Chair-elect and the reasons
for the Co-Chair’s selection, including the process by which the Co-Chair was
evaluated and selected. (If a Chapter believes that the election of a person might
create the potential for conflicts, it should discuss that person’s election with the
Chapter Support Staff liaison BEFORE the election). GLSEN may develop additional
criteria and requirements for Co-Chairs, including such safeguards as background
checks.
GLSEN will be reviewing the selection with a particular emphasis on whether the
procedure followed resulted in an educated assessment by the Chapter Board that
the newly selected individuals can effectively meet their positions’ requirements and
represent GLSEN. GLSEN retains the right to remove any Co-Chair (or Board
member) who GLSEN believes cannot or will not adequately fulfill their respective
roles.
Chapter Boards should follow a substantially similar process for selecting other
Chapter Officers.