2025 Board Nominations
2024 Coalescence Conference, Meet the Board Candidates, Richmond, Virginia
2025 UPCOMING BOARD NOMINATIONS
POSITION OPENINGS AND DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Deadline October 11, 2024, 11:59pm (Eastern)
The National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) is now accepting Board of Directors nominations for terms beginning following the 2025 conference in Salt Lake City, Utah! NCECA seeks individuals who are passionate about shaping the future of the organization and the field. The Board is responsible for all financial and policy matters related to NCECA, as well as promoting excellence in teaching and learning, community building, creative practice, scholarship, curation, and criticism. NCECA’s Board also represents and advocates for the membership regarding current issues affecting the ceramic arts and education.
Nominations and/or self-nominations must include the following:
Nominee name, affiliation, and e-mail address
Nominator name, affiliation, and e-mail address (if different from nominee)
Nominee résumé/CV
Nominee statement of interest (250 words maximum)
The National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts is committed to fostering a diverse leadership team to guide the organization in accordance with its strategic planning, mission, and bylaws.
Two distinct positions, Director at Large (2025–2028) and Student Director at Large (2025–2027), will open in Spring 2025. These positions will be elected through a ballot of the membership.
Additionally, NCECA seeks nominations for two upcoming cycles in its board Presidency. The first of the two presidential terms will begin following the closing ceremonies of the 2025 conference in Salt Lake City, and the second will follow the closing ceremonies of the 2027 conference. The presidential role involves special qualifications and commitment to a four-year term of service (one as president-elect, two as president, and one as past president). Prior service on NCECA’s board or a leadership role with a similar nonprofit organization is desirable. NCECA’s Governance Committee will review candidates and make recommendations to the board of directors for this role. Recommended candidates must be confirmed by a ⅔ majority vote of the Board of Directors.
2025 UPCOMING BOARD NOMINATIONS
Deadline October 11, 2024, 11:59pm (Eastern)
NCECA invites its membership to review the process and roles and responsibilities below. If you are interested in becoming a candidate for one of these positions, please submit a nomination form by October 11, 2024,11:59pm (Eastern)
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NCECA’s Nominations Committee will assess candidate submissions and make recommendations to the Board of Directors. Reviewed candidates will be presented and discussed during a future meeting of NCECA's Board of Directors.
Membership Elected Board Members:
● NCECA’s bylaws require that the board ratify and present at least two nominees for Director at Large to stand for election by the membership in accordance.● Candidates for Student Director at Large will not be subject to board ratification prior to standing for election by the membership, but will be reviewed by the nominations committee to ensure candidates meet the qualifications for the board position.
● Videos, Bios and Headshots: Membership Elected Board Candidates will be required to provide a brief video that will be hosted on the Watch NCECA YouTube channel and made accessible on the organization’s website. These video messages will enable members to consider candidates’ visions and qualifications for elected service. Brief bios and headshots of the candidates will also be required and posted.
● Newly elected board members are strongly encouraged to be prepared to attend and participate in the open board meeting immediately following the close of the 2025 conference, which is focused on listening and communication rather than board actions.
● All candidates who wish to be included in the e-ballot and considered for election must participate in the 2025 Annual conference. Candidates will be responsible for their own conference registration and any in-person travel expenses related to participation in the conference, during which the results of the ballot will be determined.
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NCECA members are eligible to vote on Director at Large and Student Director at Large through an e-ballot process that will begin in February 2025 and remain open until 4pm (Eastern) on Friday, March 28, 2025.
The results of the election will be announced during the closing ceremonies on the final day of the Annual Conference.
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ALL NCECA Board Members must be at least 21 years of age, a member of NCECA, and be prepared to:
● Promote and advance the NCECA’s purpose, mission, vision, and values.
● Act ethically and objectively following guidelines for confidentiality and conflicts of interest.
● Serve the membership and field at large by maintaining an open and critical perspective on matters that come before the council.
● Develop concepts and provide support for programming, opportunities, and services.
● Participate in all board meetings during the term of service. Traveling in-person when safe to do so.*
● Determine and develop NCECA policies within the limits of Bylaws.
● Develop and make progress on strategic goals.
● Identify potential nominees for service on the Board.
● Manage NCECA’s assets, including funds, property, and historical records.
● All Board members are expected to make an annual personal monetary gift to NCECA.
● Represent and speak on behalf of the Board when asked by officers or authorized person(s).
● Bring a sense of humor and camaraderie to board meetings and council functions.
● View NCECA’s Bylaws for specific language and details.
*NCECA’s policy is to limit reimbursement for travel via coach airfare or equivalent.
OPEN BOARD POSITIONS ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
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Serves 3-year term
Specific Duties:
● Serves as a representative of the membership at large and advocates for NCECA.
● Serves on and chairs committees and oversees special projects for NCECA as designated by the President or the Board.
● May support and/or initiate special projects subject to the interests and skills of the individual with Board approval.
● Encourages conference program proposals and actively reviews submissions.
● Provides input on and is involved in direct implementation of NCECA’s annual conference focusing on Gallery Expo, participating in programming proposal review and selection, and other special projects as assigned.
● Provides information for NCECA publications as needed.
Desired qualifications:● Passion for the field of ceramics and NCECA.
● Previous participation in some aspects of NCECA programming.
● Ability to share and build upon creative ideas for NCECA programming.
● Ability to understand budgetary requirements of ongoing programs and initiatives, and manage and think critically about programming priorities.
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Serves a two-year term
Serves on committees and oversees special projects as designated by the President or the Board.Eligibility (in addition to previously listed in ALL BOARD MEMBERS ELIGIBILITY, ROLES, and RESPONSIBILITIES)
Must be at least 21 years of age and enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited US-based institution for at least one complete year of the elected term.Specific Duties:
● Serve NCECA’s membership by advocating for student concerns.
● Promote calls for conference and year-round student programming and student feedback programming.
● Provide support and guidance for the NCECA Juried Student Exhibition (NJSE) in concert with the Exhibitions Director, including the following: Identifies qualified jurors, solicits donations of awards, represents NCECA, presents awards at the NJSE reception, and provides support to the venue as needed.
● Coordinate student initiatives and programming by reviewing proposals, presenter, and feedback mentor qualifications.
● Serve as SDAL representative on either the Governance Committee, Awards Committee, or Fellowships Committee, as assigned by the President.
Desired Qualifications:
● Energetic commitment to NCECA and the field of ceramics.
● Possess time-management skills necessary to successfully address duties to NCECA as well as personal responsibilities.
● Demonstrate ability and desire to communicate via electronic and social media methods to engage student audiences.
● Ability to contribute and build on creative and critical ideas about how to meaningfully serve and involve NCECA’s student membership.
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PRESIDENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND TERM CYCLE
Term: Four years: one year as President-Elect, two years as President, and one year as Past President.
Prior service on NCECA’s Board of Directors or another non-profit board is highly desirable but not required for this role. Throughout the term of service, in addition to the duties detailed below, NCECA presidents actively participate in the organization’s vision, mission, and strategic priorities by contributing content to be disseminated via NCECA’s electronic and print communications.
PRESIDENT-ELECT (One year) ↓The President-Elect assists the President in any way possible. The President-Elect should understand the programs, organization, and governing policies of the organization and keep in regular contact with the President. The President-Elect is a facilitator for the President and should be willing to take on certain tasks in this capacity.
Duties include the following:
● Serves on the Executive, Finance, and Awards Committees.
● Chairs the Fellowships Committee.
● Substitutes for and assists the President as necessary.
● Coordinates NCECA Symposia and other special initiatives when scheduled.
● In concert with the staff Conference Planner, identifies and develops future conference sites.
● Observes, anticipates and assists the Programs Director in the conference planning and activities.
● Oversees selection and initiates contact with the Conference Onsite Liaison Elect for conferences scheduled during their tenure as President.
● Provides continuity on the Board.
● Serves as liaison officer of the Council, representing the Council to other groups.
● Actively participates in the development and fundraising efforts of the council.
● Makes a personally sacrificial financial contribution to the organization.
PRESIDENTIAL DUTIES (Two years)
As Chair of the Board, the President’s duties include the following:
● Oversees direction, growth, and development of the Council.
● Sets agenda and presides at all Board Meetings and at the Members’ Meeting and Opening Ceremonies of the annual conference.
● Presents an annual report to the Council at the Annual Members’ Meeting.
● Makes Committee appointments, Special Appointments, and Replacements to the Board.
● Actively participates in the development and fundraising work of the council.
● Makes a personally sacrificial financial contribution to the organization.
Specifically, the President is responsible for:
● Organizing and preparing agendas for all meetings of the Council, including the annual Members’ Meeting, Board meetings, and Executive Committee meetings.
● Regularly overseeing, advising, and communicating with the Board and Executive Director.
● Requesting grant recommendations, approving the writing of grants, and monitoring progress on grant applications.
● Assigning projects to various Board members and advising as necessary.
● Supervising and reviewing the Executive Director.
● Informing the Board of Council activities and sharing relevant information.
● Recognizing and forwarding business or motions for the Board between the scheduled meetings and directing action to be taken based on a majority decision.
● Handling all correspondence directed to the President from outside the Council
● Acts as chief liaison or appoints liaison(s) to any Advisory Boards or Task Forces constituted.
PAST PRESIDENT (One year)
● Provides continuity on the Board.
● Is the chief liaison with Honorary Members and Fellows of the Council.
● Chairs the Fellowships Committee.
● Actively participates in the development and fundraising efforts of the council.
● Makes a meaningful and significant financial contribution to the organization.
● Coordinates with the Program Director to facilitate the Past Masters conference program.
● Prepares a slate of nominations for expiring Board positions in consultation with the Governance Committee and solicits additional nominations from the membership.
● Tabulates and reports the results of elections at the Conference with the assistance of staff.
● Solicits nominations for Fellowships and Honors and arranges for the formal presentations at the awards ceremony.
● Serves as Board historian based on their past experience with the Council.
● Acts at the request of the President in any number of tasks.
● Is responsible for sending Presidential materials to the NCECA Archives at the end of their term.
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Any member of NCECA may submit an application for open board positions. Interested candidates must become a member or renew membership before submitting an application.
Nominations for Board Positions must include the following and be submitted via the online google form:
● Nominee name and contact information
● Nominee brief bio
● Answer all questions on the google form. Prepare answers to the following questions:
o What unique experience and perspective will you bring to the board and your role during your term?
o How do you align yourself with NCECA’s mission, vision, and values?
o What changes do you want to contribute to NCECA’s future?
o What values and vision do you hope to bring to your service to NCECA and the field?
● Nominee Resume (2-page limit, upload as pdf not to exceed 2MB)
● Names and contact information for two current NCECA members who endorse the candidacy of this nominee. (Name, email, and relation to applicant and number of years known)
● Nominator name and contact information – if peer-nominated.
NOMINATE NOW
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NCECA will conduct the 2025 board elections by e-ballot! It is critical that members note that the implementation of NCECA’s e-balloting system has precipitated a number of changes in nominations and election procedures.
Individual members with active memberships prior to March 2025 will be invited to cast votes via e-ballot. The primary contact of Corporate, Institutional, and Gallery memberships will be the individual who is eligible to cast a vote on behalf of their entities.
Those who purchase membership renewals at a later date but before the election’s conclusion and/or those who purchase a new membership onsite in Salt Lake City, Utah, will receive an email invitation to vote via e-ballot. During the conference, eligible members may use computers set up in the registration area of the Calvin L. Rampton Salt Palace Convention Center to cast their votes until 4pm (Eastern) Friday, March 28, 2025.
For questions about the Board Positions, please contact:
Patsy Cox, Board Steward, and Governance Committee Chair: boardsteward@nceca.net
For technical assistance, contact support@nceca.net at 303 828-2811 or 866 266-2322