Some of the criteria that the Board has indicated may be relevant for Board candidates include:

(i) your experience in business matters generally;

(ii) your experience in key aspects of HSC’s activities, such as fundraising, marketing, promotion, finance, and/or communications;

(iii) your knowledge and/or experience in managing community-based, youth sports and/or other nonprofit organizations;

(iv) your knowledge and understanding of the business affairs of HSC, through your experience as volunteer worker, coach, manager, parent or otherwise;

(v) your ability and willingness to devote time and attention to the affairs of HSC on a sustained basis;

(vi) your achievements, accomplishments, reputation and prominence in your field;

(vii) your educational background; and

(viii) your experience in the sport of soccer generally, as a player, coach, administrator, etc.

Persons who are considering running for a seat on the Board should consider the Individual Board Member Responsibilities, Board Member Personal Characteristics, and Legal Responsibilities Of Nonprofit Board Members (see Exhibit A), as well as the Candidates Campaign Pledge (see Exhibit B) when making their decision to run for a seat on the Board. Individuals who are considering a candidacy for a seat on the Board should also familiarize themselves with the Club’s Bylaws, and, in particular, Article 2 of the Bylaws, which relates to the nominations and election process, as well as the powers and responsibilities of the Board, as well as the information set forth below. To be a candidate for a seat on the Board, you will be required to submit a written statement confirming that (a) if elected, you will perform and comply with all of the responsibilities described below; and (b) to the best of your knowledge, you possess the personal characteristics to be a Board member, as set forth below.

Members Only. To be a candidate for the Board of Directors, you must be a Member of the Club, as that term is defined in the Club’s Bylaws. (See Section 1:07 of the Bylaws). If you are not currently a member of the Club, but wish to run, you may submit a request for Special Membership to the Board at nominations@haverfordsoccer.org.

Submission Requirements. If you are interested in running for a seat on the Board of Directors, you must submit to the Election Committee a completed Nominating Statement. As part of your Nominating Statement, you will confirm that (a) if elected, you will perform and comply with all of the Individual Board Member Responsibilities and Legal Responsibilities of Nonprofit Board Members described below (collectively referred to as “Board Member Responsibilities”); (b) to the best of your knowledge, you possess the Board Member Personal Characteristics; and (c) you agree to and will comply with the Candidates’ Campaign Pledge. As used herein, the term “Candidate Responsibilities” means, collectively, the Board Member Responsibilities, Board Member Personal Characteristics, and Candidates’ Campaign Pledge. Nominations will be rejected for any person who fails to submit a complete Nominating Statement in compliance with the requirements set forth above.

Deadline for Submission. You must submit your Nominating Statement to the Election Committee by email to nominations@haverfordsoccer.org on or by March 1st. Nominations from Members will not be accepted if submitted by any other method, nor will they be accepted after March 1st, unless such deadline is extended by the Election Committee.

Nominations by the Board. Prior to the AGM, the Board may add to the list of the candidates, but only in instances where fewer than 3 candidates have expressed the written desire to stand for election. (See Sections 2:01:03 (A) and (B) of the Bylaws.)

Nominations Generally. Individuals nominated by the Board, as well as incumbents desiring to be reelected, will be given a reasonable period of time within which to prepare a Nominating Statement, as determined by the Election Committee. Individuals whose Nominating Statements comply with the requirements set forth herein, together with those incumbents desiring to be reelected and any other candidates nominated by the Board, will be placed on the ballot as a candidate for Director and considered for recommendation by the Election Committee and the Board. Each candidate must consent to his or her nomination before his or her name is placed on an official ballot.

Additional details regarding the AGM will be announced in the coming weeks. If you have questions concerning the nominating process, the election process or the expectations of Directors, please contact the Election Committee at nominations@haverfordsoccer.org.

How does one run for a seat on the HSC Board of Directors?
To become a candidate for a seat on the Board, you must submit a completed Nominating Statement to the HSC Election Committee by email to nominations@haverfordsoccer.org on or before the dates stated in the "complete listing of rules and policies for the AGM" module below. If your decision to run is contingent upon whether one or more incumbents decide to do, send an email to email to nominations@haverfordsoccer.org to get an update on their plans.

What else should I know about the Election Committee?
Among other things, the Election Committee will:
-answer questions from candidates and others concerning the election process
-maintain a page (or area) on the HSC website during the campaign, which it will use to facilitate the dissemination of complete, current, accurate and relevant information relating to the election
-publish election-related information via mass email to the Club’s members as it deems appropriate
-in its discretion, sponsor one or more Candidate Open Forums for the benefit of the Members
-facilitate the dissemination of current and relevant information about the election, and take appropriate actions in the event of violations. “Campaign statements” include all statements or materials used or to be used for “campaigning,” whether written or oral, and regardless of where disseminated or published. Campaign statements include, but are not limited to, statements made via any and all forms of electronic communication, including email, websites, and blogs, and regardless whether such forms of electronic communication have been designated by the Election Committee as approved forums for the making of such statements. “Campaigning” means any printed or verbal statement that, directly or indirectly, support a candidate, or show a candidate in an unfavorable light. If Candidate Open Forums are held, attendance and participation by candidates is optional.

Aren’t these rules “overkill” for a youth soccer club?
Hopefully, yes, but recent experience says otherwise. Before 2007, there were basic procedures in place for the conduct of the election of directors, but no rules and procedures relating to campaigning. The annual election of HSC directors was a rather dull event. In 2007, however, serious issues and problems arose that were very harmful to the club, candidates and others. Because of this, the Board adopted rules intended to ensure that the HSC election process is fair, informative, relevant, open and honest, and that candidates and their supporters are truthful, consistent, and accountable. By adopting these rules, the Board hopes to encourage informed participation in the election of directors and an increased understanding of policy and other issues that the Club must confront. The rules apply to each HSC Member and any other person who campaigns in connection with an election.

What is expected of the Board of Directors and its members?
The Board is responsible for the overall governance of the Club. HSC’s Board members are expected to be “working” Directors; in addition to providing leadership and strategic direction to the Club, each Board member is expected to devote significant time and effort to plan, manage and administer programs and activities of the Club, and to take a lead role in at least one key area of responsibility. The more general duties of the Board include: developing, implementing, and, as needed, amending the Club’s long-term plans; selecting, supporting, evaluating, and supporting Club personnel and volunteers; and providing financial direction and oversight. Board members are expected to be truthful, honest, and fair, as well as discreet and tactful. They should be able to listen, analyze, and think clearly and creatively, and possess excellent judgment and common sense. Directors need to be able to work well with people individually and in a group, and be sensitive to and tolerant of differing views. A director also needs to be open to compromise. When you become a director of HSC, you become a fiduciary of the Club. That is a legal term that means that you must act primarily for the Club’s benefit in carrying out your duties. Although you may be personally interested in, e.g., the advancement of your own child’s soccer career, your own compensation as, e.g., a trainer or referee, your own status within the club, etc., once you become an officer or director, you must work for the good of the club as a whole.

What are the main rules relating to the election?
In a nutshell, the principal rules relating to the election process (i.e., campaigning) include:
-No one may campaign before a “start date” established by the Election Committee.
-No one may campaign after 10:00 pm on the day before the AGM.
-No one may publish any campaign statement that contains false or misleading information, or that otherwise violates any of the terms of the election rules.
-Candidates and others who campaign must conduct a fair, open, honest, respectful and positive campaign.
-Each campaign statement must be submitted to the Election Committee for approval prior to publication or dissemination. Only approved campaign statements may be published or disseminated.
-Campaign statements may only be published in areas or forums designated by the Election Committee.
-No one may combine campaign statements and official club business in the same message or statement.
-No one may alter, remove or destroy campaign statements of another candidate without the prior written approval of the Election Committee.
-Candidates are responsible for the actions and statements of their supporters unless they publicly disavow them in a manner acceptable to the Election Committee.