The Society's Strategic Plan recommended several changes to the role, composition, and selection process for the Nominating Committee.  After Council's approval of the Plan, the membership (in October, 2002) approved Bylaws amendments that implemented these strategic changes.

The changes broadened the scope of the Nominating Committee's role to include:

• recruiting and screening candidates for the annual election ballot;
• developing and implementing systems for long-term leadership development; and
• closer linkage to Council by making the chair an ex officio member of Council.

Beginning in June, 2004, the Nominating Committee will be composed of 9 members (6 at-large members and 3 past officers), serving 3 year staggered terms. (Some shortened terms will be necessary initially to achieve the desired rotation pattern.)

All members of the Nominating Committee will be appointed by the Council based upon a review of suggestions submitted by the membership. The President-Elect will choose (subject to the approval of Council) the chair of the committee for a 1 year term, from among the at-large members in their second or third year of service.

The intent of these changes is to avoid the rigidity of a constituency-based Nominating Committee, while ENSURING THAT THE DIVERSITY OF PERSPECTIVES WITHIN THE ENDOCRINE SOCIETY IS REPRESENTED AND HONORED.  Council is charged with ensuring appropriate representation and diversity on the Nominating Committee through an open, broadly accessible, solicitation process of the membership.  Continuing involvement of the membership is essential to the success of the entire Strategic Plan.

Within the new Strategic Plan, the Nominating Committee of the Society has assumed an expanded and even more important role that will require its members to be active throughout the year, not only at election time.  Members suggested for this essential role will need to be willing and able to commit the time required.

This mailing is your opportunity to suggest members qualified to assess the Society as a whole and to ensure that the best leaders, representing the full diversity of the Society, are selected for the annual election ballot.