Nominating Committee Announced Ahead of 2025 Triennial Elections
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Changes to the Triennial Elections Process were recently announced. Based on recommendations made by the Election Review Process Team, Executive Council approved bylaw changes to the existing process. Nominating Committee Members were also recently appointed:
Committee Chair Chair Allison Swift-Duttine, Psi–Marshall University
Beth Deines, Beta Kappa–Arizona State University
Erin Donkersloot, Pi–Emporia State University
Rachel Greene, Beta Epsilon–Western Illinois University
Mia Scalamogna, Gamma Zeta–Slippery Rock University
Sarah Turner, Alpha Alpha–Concord University
Karen Varga-Sinka, Epsilon Tau–Saint Leo University
The Nominating Committee is charged with the responsibility to strategically identify, evaluate, and provide a report to the membership for the Executive Council leadership of Sigma Sigma Sigma.
As referenced in the May issue of The Path Forward, changes to the Triennial Elections Process were made based on recommendations by the Election Review Process Team and were prompted based on delegate feedback from the 2022 National Convention.
After 12 months of extensive research, interviews, and documentation review, the Election Process Review Team—led by Past National President Kaye Schendel— provided their report and recommendation for updated processes surrounding the triennial election of Tri Sigma’s Executive Council.
The EPR Team was charged to explore and recommend an option for a more streamlined and efficient elections process that allows for more delegates to participate, remove the financial barrier to voting by limiting it to delegates who can afford to attend Convention, better align with Tri Sigma’s board governance model, and allow for a greater transition period of leadership for the incoming Executive Council.
“The underpinning of our work is the staunch belief that one of the most important responsibilities of membership is electing our future leadership,” said Kaye Schendel.
The recommended plan will use Rank Choice Voting, a nonpartisan voting model in which voters rank candidates by preference. It allows for more representation and promotes greater diversity, equity and inclusion. Rank Choice Voting ensures majority cohesion in elections and allows for multiple qualified candidates on the ballot.
As part of the team’s recommendation and report, the committee created a timeline for the elections process, an application and recommendation form for EC service, an elections handbook, and a comprehensive Nominating Committee manual with interview questions and rubrics for scoring applicants.
Executive Council has approved the team’s recommendations and bylaw changes. Voting will take place prior to Convention to ensure a seamless transition of power. The amended bylaws will be on the business agenda to be ratified at Convention in St. Louis next summer.
“After 12 months of research and reviewing so many options—we truly believe this to be the fairest and most just election process for our organization,” said Kaye.
Special thanks to the ERP Team for their work: Chair Kaye Schutte Schendel, Co-Chair Tara Benson, Liz Wakeman Hoffert, Susie Fink Kuhn, Cara Luyster, Jill Carlson Schmidt, and Laura Ward Sweet. National President Joyce O’Daniel served as a non-voting Executive Council liaison and Jenna Martin Pendry served as a non-voting staff liaison.
A Conversations with Council call will be held Monday, Sept. 30 at 8 p.m. ET to review the qualifications, expectations, and responsibilities of leading the organization. Members interested in applying to serve on the 2025-28 Executive Council are encouraged to attend. Click here to register.
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