The election is now closed. Congratulations to the winners, Richard Frazier, Jeff Hall, and Cheryl Williams. Read more about the results.
Board Election Guide
EdTA’s 2023 board of directors election will open at the beginning of February and run through mid-March. All EdTA adult members in good standing are eligible to vote — you have a voice in choosing who will represent you on the board.
Currently, the board of directors comprises nine elected members, including the president, vice president and immediate past president, and three appointed members (view current board). The vice president/president serves a five-year term, two as VP, two as president, and one as past president. Other elected members serve three-year terms, and may be re-elected for a total service of six years. Appointed members serve one four-year term.
This year, a VP/president and two board directors will be elected for terms to begin July 1, and members will vote on proposed code changes.
Why This Guide?
As an average member, how does the board of directors affect you? What should you consider when deciding whom to vote for? This guide is intended to help you understand the board’s role within the organization, why your vote is important, and the backgrounds and qualifications of the candidates seeking your vote.
Board Role
The EdTA board is a governing board (not a working board). What does a governing board do?
- Sets direction: Reviews EdTA’s mission to ensure that it remains a guidepost, establishes strategic goals and priorities, plans for the future.
- Ensures and protects resources: The board is responsible for protecting financial assets, physical assets, reputation, and image.
- Provides oversight: Ensures policies are in place to evaluate infrastructure, programs, and services.
- Engages in outreach: Understands, interprets, and communicates the diverse needs of the membership. Board directors act as ambassadors and advocates of the mission.
The board is not an honorary post, nor is it involved in day-to-day operations — those are managed solely by the executive director, who is the board’s employee. Board members must be comfortable making strategic and sometimes-difficult decisions that affect the entire membership.
Association Priorities and Objectives
Like all associations, EdTA faces continued operational and financial challenges due to the pandemic. Our top short-term priorities are to focus on core services and organizational health, specifically (not in priority order):
- Honoring students through the International Thespian Society
- Online professional learning and resources for teachers
- Thespy® Awards and the International Thespian Festival
- Supporting chapters in delivering the mission locally
- Advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and access within the association
- Financial stability
- Establishing a long-term strategic plan and vision to guide the organization into the future
Note: Related to EdTA’s DEIA priority, the board is actively working on an anti-racism statement for the organization and will seek member feedback outside of the election. Watch our DEIA page for updates.
Proposed Code Changes
The ballot includes two code changes focused on diversity, equity, inclusion, and access.
2023 Board Candidates
Nominating Committee Selections
The EdTA board nominating committee’s role is to recruit and choose leaders suited to carry out the board’s role in achieving the association’s priorities, and ensuring diverse representation — of geography, race, gender, and professional experience. The committee has selected the following candidates to run for the open seats.
The nominating committee is chaired by the past president, Gai Laing Jones. Also on the committee are vice president Krista Carson Elhai, Texas chapter director Amy Jordan, Indiana co-chapter director Ray Palasz, and at-large members Jerald Bolden and Jade Lambert Smith. Executive director Jennifer Katona and chief operating officer Brian Monk serve as non-voting members, and president Helen Duranleau-Brennan is an ex officio member.
Notice: Petition Process
Below you’ll find resources to help you get to know the candidates and how they might represent EdTA members:
- A one-minute video sharing each candidate’s vision for theatre education and EdTA coming out of the pandemic
- A candidate profile containing each person’s CV and details about their leadership experience and qualifications in their own words.
We encourage you to review each candidate’s vision, then reflect on how their involvement might advance the association’s objectives and the way you would like the association to serve you.
President/Vice President Candidates
Board Director Candidates
How to Vote
Every EdTA adult member will receive a secure ballot by email when the election opens at the beginning of February. The ballot will be sent to the email address associated with your membership account.
Watch your inbox!
