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Frequently asked questions about elections at OSI
Nominations
Can I run for an individual or affiliate member seat?
Yes, you can run for either seat, but not both during the same election. In addition, to run for an individual member seat, you must be an OSI Individual Member at least one week before nominations open. However, you do not need to be an individual member to run for an affiliate seat on the OSI board. Also, as the affiliate member seats are nominated by the OSI Affiliate Member's representative, each affiliate may have their own requirements to earn their nomination (e.g. membership in their organization).
Can I run for both an individual member seat and an affiliate member seat in the same election?
No. Candidates may only stand for one seat during each election.
What if I'm not an OSI member and want to run?
Nominees for individual member seats, must be an OSI Individual Member at least one week before nominations open. Joining the OSI as an individual member is easy, and you can become a member right now. You may also contact an OSI Affiliate to ask about a nomination from them.
Can I nominate someone else for an individual member board seat?
No. The OSI Board needs to have the commitment of the candidate that they are really willing to serve on the board. But, you can contact your desired candidate and suggest that they self-nominate. Importantly, in order to become a nominee, the individual must have been an OSI Individual Member at least one week prior to nominations opening (February 4th). If you contact a non-member after nominations have already opened, they will not be permitted to run. All that is required for current individual members to announce their candidacy is that they send an email!
Won't that leave out important candidates from this election?
If candidates don't have time or are not interested in completing a simple form to self-nominate themselves, they probably don't have time, nor interest, to serve on the OSI Board, so they would not really be qualified candidates anyway.
What if my organization is not an OSI affiliate organization but wants to nominate a candidate?
Only organizations that are approved as affiliates may nominate a candidate. Your organization can apply for affiliate membership now.
How many candidates may an OSI affiliate nominate?
One.
Can I nominate someone else for an Affiliate board seat?
No. Only an OSI Affiliate Member may nominate candidates for affiliate board seats. If you would like to suggest a nominee, please contact an OSI Affiliate Member.
Voting
What if I'm not an OSI Individual Member and want to vote?
You must be an OSI Individual Member to vote. Only individuals who are members at the time voting opens may vote. Joining the OSI as an Individual Member is easy, and you can become a member right now.
What if my organization is not an OSI Affiliate Member, but wants to vote?
Your organization must be an OSI Affiliate Member to vote. Only organizations who are OSI Affiliate Members at the time voting opens may vote. Your organization can apply for affiliate membership now. Please note the affiliate membership process can take several weeks to complete. We suggest organizations apply well before elections begin to ensure they can fully participate.
As an OSI Individual Member, can I vote for individual and affiliate member candidates?
No, as an OSI Individual Member you may vote only for candidates running for individual member seats on the OSI Board. Affiliate member representatives vote for candidates running for affiliate seats on the Board. If you are both an OSI Individual Member and a representative of an OSI Affiliate Member, you may vote in both elections for individual and affiliate member seats.
Other
What if an affiliate of individual member seat becomes vacant?
Vacancies to either an individual or an affiliate seat will be filled by the OSI Board to serve until the next OSI election. The winning candidate in that election will serve for a new full term, not by only serving out the remainder of the vacant term.